The NSW Government has today unveiled an ambitious plan to make the state carbon neutral by 2050.
Millions of dollars will be spent on renewable energy projects to help get there.
Australian Wind Alliance national co-ordinator Andrew Bray says these new climate goals secure much-needed jobs and investment in the state.
“This is a smart move,’’ he says.
“Tackling climate change brings with it jobs and investment, and it is what people living in NSW want,” he says, pointing to a recent state government commissioned study that revealed 81 per cent of NSW residents support wind farms.
Modelling shows NSW will gain more than 11,000 jobs if the country transitions away from fossil fuel-based energy.
“Today’s announcement will help NSW secure its share of the billions of dollars that will flow from cleaning up Australia’s energy system,’’ says Mr Bray.
“Wind energy will play a huge role in this transition – it’s pushing down power prices, and wind farms are overwhelmingly popular.”
Mr Bray says NSW has lagged behind all the other states when it comes to clean energy, sourcing barely half of what its neighbour Victoria does.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It is important that this aspirational target is backed up by a solid policy framework and we look forward to seeing this developed with a sense of urgency in coming months.”[/social_quote]
He says the NSW target leaves the Federal Government hopelessly behind the states on clean energy and climate change.
“The Turnbull Government is now the odd one out with inadequate climate targets and a renewable energy policy that expires in just three years’ time,” Mr Bray said.
“The Federal Government should follow the states’ lead and commit to growing clean energy beyond 2020.”
∗ The Australian Wind Alliance is a community-based advocacy group of farmers, wind workers, small businesses and residents who share a common vision of harnessing Australia’s world-class wind resources to power homes, cities and industries with clean renewable energy. For more information visit the website here.
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