NSW makes submission to Federal Government's Green Paper on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
Australia must be at the forefront of the emerging global green economy and NSW will support the Federal Government to achieve this aim, Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Carmel Tebbutt, said today.
"NSW will benefit by capitalising on new technologies, new markets and new jobs that will be created in a low carbon economy. It's why we're aiming to make Sydney the carbon trading hub for the Asia Pacific region," said Ms Tebbutt.
"Our significant experience in establishing one of the world's first mandatory greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes in 2003 means we are ahead of the game when it comes to setting up this type of scheme.
"So we will work closely with the Federal Government in developing a national approach while at the same time continuing to help NSW families and businesses to reduce their emissions through our $340 million Climate Change Fund," she said.
NSW strongly supports the broad principles set out in the Green Paper, with the key issues being:
- Making sure the trading scheme is designed to bring about the profound change necessary to preserve our environment for this and future generations;
- Ensuring emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries are not damaged by overseas competition not facing a carbon constraint;
- Maintaining security of energy markets; and
- Ensuring participants in the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme are not disadvantaged during the transition.
Ms Tebbutt said NSW would continue its leadership on climate change in areas complementary to the Federal Government's efforts, notably in the development of a the Climate Change Action Plan, implementation of the NSW Energy Efficiency Strategy, and adapting to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.
"The Climate Action Plan is a major shift in our response to tackling the challenge of climate change, setting out the priorities for NSW in coming years," said Ms Tebbutt.
To read the NSW Government's submission visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au
