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Energy and Climate Change
Climate change is the greatest challenge facing New South Wales.
Human activities like driving motor cars and burning coal to produce electricity are threatening our health, food supply and security. Greenhouse gas emissions are changing the climate in ways that will spiral increasingly out of control.
Australians are the highest per capita producers of greenhouse gas emissions in the world and the biggest exporters of coal.
The Greens are committed to a rapid transformation of NSW’s energy industry to low emission renewable energy options such as solar and wind power, energy efficiency and conservation measures. The transition away from coal will incur some costs that must be equitably shared but the change will create economic opportunities and large scale employment growth.
For more information:
- Read 2 Degrees to Midnight: NSW Greens MPs' Guide to Climate Change Action (2Mb PDF; hard copies are available from John's office)
- See the Climate Futures website, with information about the Greens' private members bill to phase out coal and rapidly speed up renewable energy production
- See The Greens NSW Climate Change and Energy Policy.
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Campaigns
John is campaigning in the following key areas of energy policy:
- Phasing out fossil fuels like coal (including issues of 'baseload' power)
- Promoting Renewable Energy
- Promoting Energy Efficiency
- Saying a very clear 'no' to nuclear power
- Setting mandatory targets for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Latest News:
Report throws down gauntlet to Rees govt on clean energy future
A comprehensive study released today by the University of Technology Sydney puts paid to the myth that the state needs a new coal-fired power plant to keep the lights on, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye
Solar plan is road block to climate solutions
The battle within Nathan Rees' cabinet over solar feed-in tariffs has been won by the coal faction, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
NSW energy efficiency scheme plans are a waste of time
The Rees government's plans to establish a NSW Energy Efficiency Trading Scheme is an excuse to avoid real action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting household energy bills, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Workers face five years gaol for doing their job under Rees power law
The Rees government’s new ‘Dial-Before-You-Dig’ electricity and gas infrastructure law exposes workers to five years gaol for doing nothing more than acting under instruction from their employers and supervisors, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Power price hike is just the beginning of NSW household pain
The NSW pricing regulator's announcement of a 20% electricity price hike is just the start of the financial stress that the Rees government's energy plans will inflict on consumers, according to Greens NSW MP
Federal budget puts heat on Rees inaction on solar tariff
The Rees government’s failure to introduce a solar feed-in tariff is putting NSW at risk of missing out on the state’s share of the budget renewable energy funds, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Tripodi’s trip will cost NSW a lot more than $290,000
Finance Minister Joe Tripodi’s overseas trip to sell off the state’s electricity system will cost the state's households a lot more than the $290,000 squandered on travel expenses, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Rees govt internal battle leaves NSW solar future in the dark
In Upper House question time today, Energy Minister Ian Macdonald refused to say when he would release the report of the task force on solar feed-in tariffs or when the scheme would start, according to Greens MP John Kaye.
ETS delay spells big trouble for Tripodi's power privatisation plans
Delays to the start date for the Rudd government's emissions trading scheme (ETS) have created a massive barrier for NSW Finance Minister Joe Tripodi's plans to sell off the state's electricity retailers and generator trading arms, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Alarm over Appin power plant impacts on Sydney air quality
The Greens NSW state conference, meeting in Picton this weekend called on the NSW government to reject a proposed gas-fired Leafs Gully power station at Appin in Sydney's South-West.
