Work plan

The mandate of the commission is to monitor, review and advise on progress towards the state’s legislated greenhouse gas emissions (emissions) reduction targets and the adaptation objective. As a new organisation, in 2025 we will focus on developing the frameworks, approaches and processes required to fulfill our mandate effectively.

To progress our work we will be conducting rounds of targeted analysis and stakeholder engagement and input on specific issues. These issues are organised by themes, and include: 

• emissions reduction
  • the rapid decarbonisation of our electricity system, including the speed of implementing the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, consumer energy resources and the benefits and impacts on local communities
  • developments in the resources sector, including potential future increases in coal mining emissions, and the need to address the broader social and economic implications for NSW communities of a diminishing coal mining industry
  • opportunities to accelerate electrification across the economy, including: transport; the built environment; and in industrial processes that use low-medium intensity heat
  • opportunities to reduce emissions in the agriculture sector, including focus areas for research, development and scale-up of mitigation and adaptation technologies
  • the role of the land sector in emissions accounting and net zero considering the impacts of a changing climate and evolving best practice carbon estimation methods.
• adaptation
  • connecting with First Nations peoples to learn about cultural knowledge and practices to support adaptation outcomes  
  • investigating barriers to the effective use of climate projections (for example, NARCLiM) in NSW government agencies.

The commission may periodically identify and prioritise new focus areas based on emerging priorities, stakeholder input or ministerial request.

As provided for, under the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023, the minister may request information, advice or recommendations in relation to a particular matter. In February 2025, the minister announced that the NSW Government “will be redoing the net zero plan this year”.

We maintain capacity to respond to high-priority ministerial requests while continuing progress on our scheduled activities. Any major changes to our work plan due to ministerial requests will be shared on our website.

One of our responsibilities under the Act, is sharing knowledge and information to promote climate change action. We will be working on this with organisations, businesses, communities and individuals. This may include: 

• provision of information resources
• regular briefings and workshops for key stakeholders
• community engagement opportunities in regional and metropolitan areas.

Scheduled publications