New rules for NSW polluters to require ‘credible’ plan for mitigating climate impact

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Guardian or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: New South Wales (NSW) will enforce stricter regulations for new coalmines, gas fields, and other significant greenhouse gas sources, requiring detailed plans to minimize pollution and reduce emissions under the revised Environment Protection Authority (EPA) guideline

🔭 The context: The NSW EPA will demand independent third-party verification of environmental impact statements to ensure data accuracy, addressing previous issues of inaccuracy
• This step marks a foundational shift in integrating climate impact assessments into the planning process transparently

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: These regulations aim to ensure that companies in NSW align with emission reduction goals and adopt effective climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, moving beyond mere offsets to genuine emission reductions

⏭️ What's next: NSW will introduce industry-specific emissions targets, with new rules taking effect after a six-week consultation period
• The government will also unveil plans for the future of the Eraring coal-fired power station amidst concerns over potential blackouts

💬 One quote: "It’s one step but it’s an important one. It brings the assessment of climate impacts front and centre into the planning process," said Tony Chappel, NSW EPA chief executive.

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