The independent, expert Commission will play a crucial role in monitoring, reviewing and reporting on the state’s progress towards emissions reduction targets established under the landmark Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023.
The targets include a 50% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a 70% reduction by 2035, and net zero emissions by 2050.
The Net Zero Commission will fulfil several key functions including:
- monitoring whole-of-economy progress towards the emissions reduction targets and adaptation objectives
- providing independent, expert advice on opportunities for NSW to effectively address climate change;
- educating and informing the NSW Government, businesses, organisations, and individuals on ways to promote action to address climate change.
The appointed Chair and Commissioners bring an impressive range of skills, qualifications and experience spanning climate science, economics and finance, technology and engineering, public administration and the interests of Aboriginal and rural, regional and remote communities
Net Zero Commission Chair: Dr Paul Grimes
Net Zero Commissioners: Maria Atkinson; Oliver Costello; Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte; Professor Frank Jotzo; Katerina Kimmorley; Meg McDonald; Professor Andy Pitman.
The Commission includes NSW Chief Scientist Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte as an ex-officio member to provide whole-of-government scientific advice.
The Commission will be directly accountable to NSW Parliament through the recently established Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Net Zero Future. The Commission is required to prepare annual reports on the state’s progress and to consult with the future NSW Agriculture Commissioner as part of this process.
NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said: “I’m thrilled to announce the appointment of these exceptional, eminent individuals to lead the Net Zero Commission. Their appointments demonstrate the Minns Labor government’s unwavering commitment to securing a sustainable and thriving future for NSW’s people, economy, and environment.”
“The strong, independent Net Zero Commission will provide us with expert assessments of our progress in achieving our net zero goals and adapting to our changing climate.”
“The Commission will consider all perspectives and help bring government, business and community along the journey towards our ambitious net zero goals.”
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.