MEDIA RELEASE
23 July 2026
Today’s report from the Net Zero Commission is “cause for alarm” according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC), as the annual audit shows NSW is missing its legislated pollution reduction targets by a widening margin.
The Net Zero Commission report shows that efforts to cut climate pollution need to be accelerated to 2.5 times faster than the current pace to be consistent with a safe climate future and the targets set in the Climate Change Act.
“Every NSW Minister needs to take responsibility for this failure, and have a clear plan to double efforts,” said Nature Conservation Council CEO Jacqui Mumford.
“Households are doing their bit with solar, batteries, and electric cars, but those gains are being wiped out by a government that keeps approving coal mine expansions.
“Solutions exist now to cut climate pollution across industry, households and businesses, as the Net Zero Commission points out.
“Switching to a clean economy isn’t easy, but the benefits for everyone are huge, from lower insurance premiums to less intense fire seasons and heatwaves.
“The NSW Government will never reach emission targets if it continues to extend the era of coal. It must accelerate the shift to renewable energy, and protect habitat that is cooling and cleaning the atmosphere.
The report comes as the Independent Planning Commission is assessing the biggest ever coal mine expansion proposed in NSW, the Hunter Valley Operations mine in the Hunter Valley.
The Net Zero Commission report is clear that NSW cannot afford further mine expansions or extensions to coal-fired power stations.
“This report exposes the harm caused by decisions like approving new coal mine expansions, backtracking on gas exploration, fast-tracking data centres and pushing back scheduled closures of coal-fired power plants,” Mumford said.
To reach critical emission reduction targets, NCC says the Minns Government must not approve any more coal mine extensions or expansions, introduce energy standards for rental homes, and put an end to the logging and bulldozing of the state’s bushland to help keep carbon emissions out of the atmosphere.
“NSW has legislated climate targets for good reason. We are living through worsening climate impacts that can and must be abated. The NSW Government needs to get serious about reaching emission targets to ensure a safe future for all.”
