Urgent climate action led by facts, not politics
This is the critical decade for climate action. The decisions made in the next three years will fundamentally affect our children’s and their children’s future.
Kylea has committed to working towards:
- A clear and actionable plan to reduce national emissions guided by experts to achieve at least 60% by 2030.
- Removing the politics from the climate debate by introducing an independent climate change body to develop an evidence-based plan to achieve net zero by 2040.
- Active collaboration with local councils and state government to make the federal seat of North Sydney one of the first Net Zero Urban Energy Zones in Australia, as we transition to a fully electrified community as quickly as possible (target date 2035).
- Improved fuel emission standards and initiatives that increase the rate of adoption of electric vehicles across Australia.
- The gradual and planned removal of subsidies for coal and gas, with no new coal and gas extraction projects.
- Protecting and enhancing our green corridors that are fundamental to the nature of our community and ensuring that any infrastructure projects undertaken in our electorate provide solutions for the next century, including:
- demanding transparency from the Prime Minister on commitments related to the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link.
- calling for a suspension of any further work until key stakeholders (including local councils and resident groups) are satisfied that all alternatives have been fully explored and concerns addressed and mitigated.
So far, North Sydney has achieved:
- Successful amendment of the Safeguard Mechanism to prevent new or expanding fossil fuel projects from accessing government funding to pursue abatement.
- Introduction of the private members bill, 'Fuel and Vehicle Standards Legislation Amendment (Reducing Vehicle Pollution) Bill 2022', to improve fuel efficiency of cars in Australia and reduce fuel costs.
- Advocacy for a levy on the production and consumption of single use plastic items made from virgin plastic.
- Government assurance there would be no federal funding for the Western Harbour Tunnel or Northern Beaches Link.
- The inaugural Clean Energy Community Fair, with over 30 stalls run by vendors, service providers and councils offering to help households and businesses reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
- Launch of 'Powering to Net Zero Energy', a guide to government incentives to help electrify homes and businesses in North Sydney.
Next Steps:
- Continue to work on vehicles emissions and fuel standards as a first meaningful step to cleaner air.
- Continue working with advocacy groups and businesses on the plastics and recycling industry.
- Advocate for stronger policy action consistent with the Samuels Review of the EPBC Act.
LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS
The Coalition’s attack on the climate authority is a cynical attempt to put ideology over facts – it must be called out
The Guardian, 27 February 2025
On the Coalition's attack on the Climate Change Authority, Kylea writes: "As my grandmother used to say: we are all entitled to our own opinions. But we are not entitled to our own facts."
Climate Change
Federation Chamber, 13 February 2025
Submission on energy performance standards for commercial buildings
Kylea has made a submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on its proposed introduction of minimum energy performance standards for commercial buildings.
As the world burns, young Australians are feeling disbelief – and looking for answers
The Guardian, 13 January 2025
Anjali Sharma has reiterated her call for a Duty of Care Bill, in the wake of the LA Fires in a piece in The Guardian. "The Earth is burning. As young people everywhere rage against short-termism and demand their politicians consider their long-term needs, only to be ignored, I feel angry," she says.
Potential NSW blackouts due to heatwave
Sky News, 26 November 2024
NSW is bracing for electricity outages as a heatwave is forecast while three of the state's four ageing coal fired power stations are scheduled for maintenance. Kylea says the threat of blackouts has underscored the urgency at which Australia must transition to renewables and reliable storage technology, while Nationals Senator Matt Canavan says we need to build new coal-fired power stations as our existing plants break down.
Blackout warnings show urgent need to get off unreliable coal
Media Release, 26 November 2024
Kylea continues to call for urgent transition away from unreliable coal-fired power stations amidst blackout warnings for NSW this week.