Sustainability policies and legislation
Policies and legislation that inform our decision making and other activities in sustainable finance.
NSW environmental policies
The climate is changing due to global warming. The effects of climate change on the people and environment of NSW are expected to become more pronounced as the climate continues to change over this century.
These are the NSW-led actions that relate to the environment as a whole. Many entities are taking a climate-first focus, given that this is an urgent and immediate challenge that is already having significant impacts, and has implications for many other ESG considerations.
Biodiversity conservation policies and guidelines – A database of biodiversity conservation policies and guidelines to help manage biodiversity, assess impacts and track activities to protect the environment.
Blue Carbon Strategy – Restoring coastal diversity and ecosystems.
Circular Economy Policy – New ways to think about waste.
Disclosure of climate risks and opportunities – NSW Government piloted entity-specific Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures statements for:
Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap – Building on the state’s electricity strategy. It will attract more than $30 billion of private investment in regional energy infrastructure by 2030.
Future Transport Strategy – Connecting people, communities and businesses in NSW.
Government Resource Efficiency Policy – Lead by example in increasing the efficiency of the government’s resource use.
Hydrogen Strategy – Sets out our vision and path for developing a thriving green hydrogen industry in NSW
Net Zero Cities Action Plan – Net zero emissions in our cities and urban environments.
NSW Budget Papers – Insight into our financials, services and key performance indicators.
NSW Budget Paper 1 - Chapter 6 – Our sustainable approach to managing our assets and liabilities.
NSW Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up – An independent check up to identify any additional steps that NSW needs to take to deliver the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap to ensure a reliable supply of clean, affordable energy.
NSW Intergenerational Report – A snapshot of our future State.
NSW State of the Environment report – Key environmental issues facing New South Wales.
NSW Transmission Infrastructure Strategy – Unlocking private sector investment in priority energy projects.
Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program (PIPAP) – Support for farmers to access environmental markets, reduce emissions and enhance biodiversity.
Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy – This strategy reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to playing its part in helping the state transition to a circular economy over the next 20 years.
NSW policies – Building a better society
The NSW government is committed to ensuring everyone in the state has access to the opportunities they need to build a high standard of living for themselves and their families.
This includes access to economic opportunities and high-quality government services, and additional support for vulnerable members of society.
A 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW – Refresh – Our priorities and plans to achieve long-term social and economic success for regional communities.
Aboriginal Procurement Policy – Helping to grow NSW’s First Economy.
Combatting modern slavery – NSW was the first Australian state or territory to introduce standalone legislation to address modern slavery, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW).
Housing 2041 – A whole-of-government approach that establishes a 20-year vision for the people of NSW. It sets a long-term strategy for better housing outcomes, focusing on supply, affordability, diversity and resilience.
Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program – Addressing skills shortages and diversity in the construction sector.
NSW Women’s Strategy – The NSW Women’s Strategy provides a whole-of-government and whole-of-community policy framework. It aims to help improve the economic, social and physical wellbeing of women and girls across NSW.
Small and Medium Enterprise and Regional Procurement Policy – Opportunities for small and medium businesses.
Social Impact Investment Policy 2.0 – The Social Impact Investment Policy sets the vision for social impact investment in NSW. It outlines priorities for embedding prevention, innovation, partnerships and an outcomes-focus at the heart of how the NSW Government delivers impact for the people of NSW.
Gender Equality Budget Statement – Budget commitments to boost economic opportunities for women.
NSW policies – Ensuring robust governance
For the NSW Government, robust governance includes:
- quality institutional structures that enable effective policy decisions and predictability of government decisions
- government policy credibility and effectiveness
- transparency and disclosure of government information
- sound fiscal and economic management.
NSW Treasury Annual Reporting Framework – Annual reports are an important way in which agencies remain accountable and provide transparency to the parliament and the community for the way public resources have been applied during a reporting period. They help inform decisions and provide a valuable record of the past.
Public interest disclosure policy – This policy encourages government employees to report serious wrongdoing.
Fraud and Corruption Policy – Describes the rules and systems used to prevent fraud. It covers NSW Government staff, contractors or members of the public.
Key legislative measures
The NSW Government is governed under a body of legislative measures. These measures help ensure we make appropriate decisions and provide certainty over government objectives.
Acts administered by the EPA – The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is the state's primary environmental regulator. It has responsibilities and functions under various NSW legislation.
Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 – The Act legislates emissions reduction targets in NSW and establishes an independent Net Zero Commission.
Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 – This Act contains several objectives including encouraging investment in renewable energy projects in NSW. It provides industry and investors with certainty when it comes to investing in renewable energy infrastructure.
Energy Security Safeguard – The Energy Security Safeguard provides financial incentives to deliver cost-effective energy savings, reduce peak electricity demand and increase the production of green hydrogen. The 3 schemes under the respective legislation aim to improve the affordability, reliability and sustainability of our energy system.
Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 – An Act relating to fiscal responsibility in the management of government finances.
Government Sector Employment Act – A framework for government employment and workforce management. It aims to support a workforce characterised by a culture of integrity, trust, service and accountability.
Government Sector Finance Act 2018 – A framework for financial management in the government sector.
Modern Slavery Act – The Modern Slavery Act 2018 aims to combat modern slavery, provide assistance and support for victims.
NSW Climate Change Fund – We established the NSW Climate Change Fund to support communities, businesses and governments. It reduces emissions and helps us adapt to climate change under Part 6A of the Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987.
NSW planning policy and legislation – Planning policy and legislation, including state environmental planning, renewable energy and land use.
Sustainable Buildings SEPP (State Environmental Planning Policy) – The SEPP sets sustainability standards for residential and non-residential development and starts the process of measuring and reporting on the embodied emissions of construction materials.