WA Government must match NSW's bold emissions reduction target
The Western Australian Government must set a new, ambitious emissions reduction target and take urgent steps to achieve a net-zero economy through clean jobs and industries.
Clean State, WA’s leading clean jobs initiative, said the State Government must match the commitment of its New South Wales counterpart, which has ramped up its 2030 emissions reduction target to 50 per cent below 2005 levels.
NSW, along with South Australia and Victoria are leading the nation in climate action while WA continues to tread water.
Until 2019, WA was the only state in the country without a net-zero emissions target and continues to support polluting industries such as gas, which offers few employment opportunities and is expensive to produce compared to renewable energy.
With its wealth of renewables potential, WA is in an enviable position to take a national lead on clean jobs and a zero-carbon economy, but needs strong political leadership and commitment to secure the path for private sector investment.
Clean State spokesperson Luke Sweet urged the McGowan Government to set a bold, ambitious new target and lead WA to drastically cut emissions this decade while kickstarting a clean jobs boom.
“WA needs decisive climate action; an ambitious, bold target to provide certainty for clean industry to invest in our state,” Mr Sweet said.
“The NSW Government’s emissions reduction plan is expected to attract more than $37 billion in private-sector investment - that is $37 billion that should be coming to WA.
“We have such enormous potential to become a renewables power house with the best sun, wind and wave resources in the world and create thousands of jobs for Western Australians.
“We should be leading other states on climate action especially when we have the resources, power and potential to do so.
“When it comes to emissions reductions targets, WA has lagged behind and political inaction and delays only put us further behind.
“We know there is strong community and sector support here in WA for clean jobs and industry that would provide economic prosperity and security for generations to come.
“Delays will only result in lost opportunity, investment and jobs.”
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