New South Wales will reportedly become the first Australian state to treat carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as pollutants, which will ultimately force polluters to devise strategies to reduce emissions.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) announced an eight-week consultation period for its proposed climate change policy and plan of action. It is the initial step towards the trajectory of polluters having net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The US EPA's policy on greenhouse emissions, which includes fines and imprisonment among the penalties, was the model for some of the EPA's policies. It was created to support the safety mechanism put in place by the Albanese government, which will regulate the amount of carbon pollution from 215 large industrial facilities that account for around 28% of national emissions.

The Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action case that was filed before the state’s land and environment court in 2021 triggered the NSW's approach. They won their case arguing that the EPA was obliged by the Protection of the Environment Administration Act of 1991 to set goals, regulations, as well as policies to safeguard environmental protection against climate change.

Matt Kean, the former environment minister, gave the EPA the order to not oppose the mandamus order directing an agency to carry out mandatory obligations properly. The EPA's plan might serve as a model for other states.

Tony Chappel, the new EPA chief executive, stated that NSW’s goal of cutting emissions by 50% by 2030 is a crucial step toward becoming carbon neutral by the mid-century. Happily, that is the NSW aim, but this strategy is originally based on science.

The great opportunities presented by the move from fossil fuels, such as novel farming techniques or more affordable energy, will act as a carrot in the policy.

The findings will be reviewed before a policy is finalized before Christmas. The commission would then start in-depth discussions with each economic sector about how they would reduce emissions and prove to be ready for potential climate impacts.

Source credit: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/08/nsw-becomes-first-state-to-treat-carbon-dioxide-as-pollutant-to-ensure-industries-cut-emissions