Former prime minister Malcom Turnbull will chair New South Wales’ new Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board, which will have the task of helping the state reduce emissions while also growing the economy and creating jobs.
The board, which will be established by regulation, will advise the NSW government on program design and funding proposals under the first phase of the state’s plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
More than 110 countries have committed to the target of net zero emissions by 2050, but Australia is not one of them. In a statement on Monday, Turnbull said he would ensure NSW realises the “huge economic opportunities” presented by the global shift toward that target.
Turnbull has been joined by NSW chief scientist and engineer, professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, as deputy chair of the board.
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Energy minister Matt Kean said cross-sector experts would ensure the state government has the right policies and initiatives to give industry the confidence they need to “invest, innovate and build a low-carbon future”.
“The board will help us to drive a clean industrial revolution for NSW — providing advice on opportunities to grow the economy, create jobs of the future, support industry to develop low emissions technologies and modernise industrial processes,” he said.
“The board is also going to be key in delivering low-carbon jobs in the Hunter and Illawarra, to help those economies diversify.”
Representatives from a number of sectors — electricity, powerfuels, transport, manufacturing and primary industries, climate science, technology and innovation, public policy, and finance — will join Turnbull and Durrant-Whyte on the board.
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