Diversity, equity and inclusion

crop_originalImage creditkeyboard_arrow_up

Secretary's message

I am honoured to introduce the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Action Plan (the Plan) for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). This Plan outlines the actions we will take to deliver the NSW Government’s priorities in a way that includes and benefits everyone.

The Plan demonstrates how our department will work to improve social inclusion for customers and staff by enabling everyone to contribute, thrive, and be empowered. We aim for diversity to not just be seen as a value, but also a strength that drives innovation, creativity and success.

We have chosen to create one integrated plan that will identify key priorities and focus areas for diverse groups including, but not limited to:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• carers
• disability
• gender equity
• LGBTQIA+
• multicultural
• multigenerational
• veterans.

This Plan helps us recognise the different experiences and identities of people in NSW, making sure we focus on intersectionality.

Our aspiration is to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into everything we do and to guide all aspects of our work. We aim to prioritise equitable engagement, respect diverse perspectives and design solutions that are accessible, culturally relevant, and empowering for all communities.

The Plan outlines our journey towards connection, access, representation, and equity. It is the result of extensive collaboration and consultation with diverse communities, department staff, community partners, and peak advisory bodies.

We are collaborating with our Aboriginal Employee Engagement team and Aboriginal Outcomes team to review and advance actions for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people that will be included in the Plan.

Progress is a continuous journey. The department remains committed to stewarding and influencing NSW to be better and do better, together.

Download our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan (PDF 2.33MB)

Download our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan fact sheet (PDF 1.35MB)

videocam 3:54

Close(Press escape to close)

Video transcript

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan 2025 to 2029

At the Department of Climate Change, energy, the Environment and Water, we strive to deliver our policies, programs and work in a way that meets the needs of everyone and upholds our values.

We acknowledge and celebrate the unique backgrounds of our diverse communities and workforce. We recognise that different aspects of an individual's identity can have an impact on their experience when interacting with our department.

We understand people may not belong to just one diverse group, but many. For this reason, we have achieved a New South Wales Government first and developed a single integrated diversity, equity and inclusion action plan.

The plan identifies key priority and focus areas, including, but not limited to: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, carers, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, multicultural people, women, men and gender diverse people, older and young people, and veterans.

Presenting the plan in this way demonstrates that we acknowledge the unique experiences and overlapping social identities of our workforce and the people of New South Wales.

We CARE.

Our vision is to “Create thriving environments and communities through connection, access and representation for everyone.”

With an aspiration to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into everything we do, we are developing a culture of care by focusing on four Pillars.

1. To build stronger, more inclusive connections.

Through connection, we understand the needs of diverse people so they feel heard, respected, and know they're at the centre of everything we do.

2. To enhance accessibility, awareness and implementation through accessibility

We can meet the needs of diverse people, so everyone has access to the spaces and services we deliver.

3. To broaden and elevate representation.

Through representation we can better reflect and deliver for diverse people so they have equal opportunities to meaningfully contribute to New South Wales.

4.To deliver equitable services that support quality of life for everyone so diverse communities receive what's needed when it's needed, allowing everyone to thrive.

We wanted this plan to be led by our staff and the people of New South Wales. So we consulted with more than 1000 people from the community and our workforce to develop our actions.

Your feedback told us what we're doing well and what we can do to evolve.

This will help us develop policies, programs and services that are designed for and reach everyone

Through care. Everyone benefits

Vision

Creating thriving environments and communities, through Connection, Access and Representation for Everyone (CARE).

Guiding principles

1. We respect, recognise and integrate diverse knowledge to support thriving environments and communities.
2. We collaborate and co-design with diverse people in the community and in the workplace; working to conserve our heritage, climate, lands and waters, and securing affordable energy.
3. We are guided by human-centric principles, prioritising the delivery of sustainable and impactful outcomes.
4. We use meaningful success measures to ensure our work meets the needs of everyone and addresses the unique challenges of the diverse communities we serve.

Focus pillars

• Build stronger, more inclusive Connections
• Enhance accessibility Awareness and implementation
• Broaden and elevate diverse Representation
• Deliver equitable services that support quality of life for Everyone