Bushfire Survivors welcome EPA’s landmark draft climate plan

Tuesday, September 8

Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action (BSCA) welcomes the release of the NSW Environment Protection Agency’s draft climate plan today, a year after its landmark win in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

The Court found last August that the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has a duty to take serious action on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change – the first time an Australian court had made such a ruling against a government agency.

In court, BSCA argued the EPA needed to acknowledge greenhouse gases were pollutants that it needed to regulate, because of the devastating impact climate change was having on communities across Australia. BSCA spokesperson Fiona Lee, who lost her home in the Black Summer fires almost three years ago, said that this draft plan should go some way to answering that call.

“After the worst bushfire season on record in 2019/20, BSCA decided to use the law to ensure the authority tasked with protecting people and the environment does so effectively,” Ms Lee said. 

“Bushfire survivors like me have already endured the devastating effect of climate change on our lives, homes, jobs and security and we know that extreme weather events like these will only increase in intensity and frequency as global temperatures increase. We need drastic emissions reductions this decade to keep our communities safe from further climate dangers.

“We’re pleased that the EPA has released this draft climate change policy and public consultation period. We look forward to getting across the details and preparing our submission in response.

“We also look forward to continuing to work closely with NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage, James Griffin, and the new EPA chief executive, Tony Chappel, to ensure this process delivers real impact in reducing emissions.”

Elaine Johnson, Director at the Environmental Defenders Office, which supported BSCA in its case, said: “This is a significant day for the Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action after their historic win last year, when the court found the NSW EPA was required to act on climate.

“We see the release of this draft policy as an important first step - but the devil will be in the details.

“We’ll be analysing the draft plan closely over the coming weeks and working with our clients, partners and the community to ensure we end up with an effective climate plan which delivers real results, and fast.

“This is our last chance to get it right. Climate change has already begun. How much worse it gets depends on how quickly we can drive emissions towards zero. 

“The Court has made it clear that it’s the EPA’s job to protect Australians from greenhouse gases and climate change - there is no more time to lose.”

The draft plan will be open for public submissions for eight weeks, and is an opportunity to ensure the EPA implements robust measures, safeguarding Australians and the environment we live in. 

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Jacqui Street 0498 188 528  / jacqui.street@climatemediacentre.org.au
Background on the case is available here.