Key developments
- Inquiry into the Climate Change (Net Zero Futures) Bill 2023
- Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023
- Review of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
- Legislating the objective of superannuation
- Review of the ‘National Agreement on Closing the Gap’
- Independent review of the Franchising Code of Conduct
- Personal Insolvency Consultation
- Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Regulations 2023
- Better protection against apartment building defects: Mandatory Decennial Liability Insurance
- Digital ID Bill 2023 (Exposure Draft)
- Mandatory Disease Testing Act Review
- Review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW)
- 2022 Review of the Workers Compensation Scheme – Supplementary Submission
Inquiry into the Climate Change (Net Zero Futures) Bill 2023
The Climate Change Working Group contributed to a submission to the Legislative Council’s Portfolio Committee No 7 – Planning and Environment, in response to its inquiry in relation to the Bill. The Law Society welcomed the introduction of the Bill, the setting of targets for 2030 and 2050 for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in NSW, the proposal to establish a Net Zero Commission to independently review and monitor progress on the targets, and the inclusion of an adaptation objective for NSW to be more resilient in a changing climate.
The submission stated that while the Guiding Principles provide a sound basis for informing decision making, we suggest there may be other principles to include which speak to alignment with achieving nature repair, and taking mitigation and adaptation actions that deliver environmental and social benefits. We also noted the desirability of rolling interim targets being updated, having regard to international and national expectations, as well as NSW-specific circumstances.
We suggested a more comprehensive framework would include reporting obligations for government agencies to demonstrate to the Net Zero Commission how they are implementing the Guiding Principles, undertaking climate change risk assessment, and developing their own emission reductions targets, strategies and transition plans.
A Law Society representative gave evidence, based on the submission, to the Parliamentary Committee at a hearing on 27 October 2023.
