Climate change advisory groups
To ensure industry and other stakeholders are well-consulted in the delivery of our Climate Change Action Plan 2023–26, we have begun establishing Advisory Groups.
These groups will inform actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for and respond effectively to climate risks. These groups will be integral to the ongoing dialogue between industry, community, independent experts, the EPA, and other agencies on potential options, gaps, risks and opportunities, relevant to the sector.
Community and environment group
- Asela Atapattu (Chair), Acting Executive Director Strategy and Policy, NSW Environment Protection Authority
- Angela Frimberger, Government Relations Advisor, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action
- Anita O'Hart, Senior Solicitor, Environmental Defenders Office
- William (Bill) Trewlynn, Co-Chair, Western Sydney Aboriginal Alliance
- Greg Bourne, Councillor, Climate Council
- Jeff Angel, Executive Director, Total Environment Centre
- Nic Clyde, Community Coordinator, Lock the Gate Alliance
- Piper Rollins, Climate Campaigner, Australian Conservation Foundation
- Professor Andrew Pitman, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, UNSW, Sydney
Mining group
- Asela Atapattu (Chair), Acting Executive Director Strategy and Policy, NSW Environment Protection Authority
- Adell Hyslop, CEO, Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Steve Phillips, Committee Member, Hunter Community Environment Centre
- Professor Eric Kennedy, School of Engineering (Chemical Engineering), University of Newcastle
- Damian Dwyer, Director of External Affairs, Low Emissions Technology Australia
- David Frith, Director of Policy, NSW Minerals Council
- Sandy Tickell, Group Manager Carbon Planning and Abatement, Glencore
- Ben Fitzsimmons, Manager Business Support, South 32
- Liam Wilson, Head of HSECT, Idemitsu
- Ross Polis, Head of Biodiversity and Climate, Global, Newmont
- Tania Kiley, Manager Climate, Santos
- Dr. Jason Kirby, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO
Climate Change Mining Advisory Group Meetings
At the meeting of the Climate Change Mining Advisory Group the EPA’s Executive Director, Strategy and Policy, Nancy Chang welcomed the group members including new members.
The EPA provided an update on the Licensee Climate Change Survey and gave a tour of the dashboard and key findings for the mining sector. This will dashboard be published on the EPA website soon. It was made clear individual facility data is not identifiable and cannot be traced back to a specific facility.
Members and EPA staff discussed the proposed work plan for the advisory group, including content, timings and sequencing.
The group also discussed feedback from members on the EPA’s draft Climate Change Assessment Requirements for Large Emitters and GHG assessment Guide, which was on consultation at the time. Executive Director Strategy and Policy, Nancy Chang said the EPA is looking forward to receiving formal submissions for the guide.
The EPA will facilitate a meeting with the Science and Insights Division from the DCCEEW to ensure the group understands the State’s emissions projections and inventory.
At the introductory meeting of the Climate Change Mining Advisory Group the EPA’s CEO, Tony Chappel welcomed the group members and outlined the EPA’s vision for the group.
The EPA provided an overview of the EPA Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, as well as the EPA’s recent climate change survey and preliminary findings from the mining sector.
The EPA outlined that preliminary results from its recent climate change survey show there is significant scope to work with our licensees to improve their management of climate change matters. The EPA is still reviewing results and will be releasing these early next year.
Executive Director Strategy and Policy, Nancy Chang said the EPA is looking forward to collaborating and sharing knowledge with the members to get the settings right as the EPA implements its climate change action plan.
“We’ll be seeking advice from the group members as we develop a practical policy for reducing, monitoring and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions.
“The EPA is working closely with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions and this group will form an important part of the conversation, providing on-ground advice and insights.”
The next group meeting is intended for February 2024.
Agriculture group
- Asela Atapattu (Co-Chair), Acting Executive Director Strategy and Policy, NSW Environment Protection Authority
- Jason Crean, Acting Group Director, Climate & Natural Resources, Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Tony Lees, Member, Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Oscar Pearse, Member, Farmers for Climate Action
- Professor Benjamin Smith, Network Lead, Land and Primary Industries Network, NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub
- Nick Savage, Policy Director – Environment, NSW Farmers
- Carissa Wolfe, Board Member – Farmer Director, Dairy NSW
- Megan Hill, Policy Manager – Environment and Sustainability, Australian Pork Limited
- Lachlan Turley, Manager – Sustainability & Industry Standards, Australian Meat Industry Council
- Steven Fox, Board Member, Australian Livestock Markets Association
- Michael Lancaster, General Manager Policy & Biosecurity, Australian Lot Feeders Association
Climate Change Agriculture Advisory Group Meetings
The Climate Change Agriculture Advisory Group (CCAAG) convened on Thursday 20 February 2025. The group received updates on the EPA’s recent climate change initiatives and DPIRD’s progress on key climate-related projects. The waste regulatory framework, the potential of biochar as a net zero solution for the land sector and the latest Regional Climate Projections for Impact Adaptation in NSW and Australia were also discussed.
The EPA provided updates on its recent climate change work, including the publication of the large emitters guide in January 2025, which features an information sheet for the agriculture sector. The EPA advised that the newly established EPA Climate Change Community and Environment Advisory Group held its inaugural meeting in November 2024.
DPIRD updated the group on the NSW Land and Primary Industries Emission Reduction Roadmap. The roadmap, which is currently under technical review, focuses on identifying emissions abatement opportunities across various agricultural sectors, including livestock, cropping, and horticulture.
DPIRD also highlighted their involvement in the Net Zero Emissions Agriculture CRC. An initial project focuses on developing a national standard for greenhouse gas accounting in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. This three-year project is being conducted in collaboration with the Commonwealth DCCEEW and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
The group discussed the waste management framework, with a focus on the NSW Waste and Resource Recovery Policy and Regulatory Framework. EPA staff presented the common pathways for managing agricultural waste, including onsite management, using waste as an input for other facilities, and land application off-site. The Independent Review of the NSW Resource Recovery Framework, conducted by Dr. Cathy Wilkinson, was also discussed, including the 22 recommendations made for improving the system.
The NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub presented on biochar as a potential net-zero solution for the agricultural sector. Challenges related to the establishment of a biochar industry in NSW, particularly regulatory barriers, were highlighted.
Lastly, the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water presented on the NSW and Australian Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM2.0), which highlighted the latest climate projections for NSW and Australia, including projected temperature and precipitation changes by 2050 and 2090.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to meet out-of-session with the EPA to continue discussions on the waste regulatory framework.
The next CCAAG meeting will take place in April 2025.
The Climate Change Agriculture Advisory Group (CCAAG) convened on Tuesday 13 August. The group was provided with updates on the progress of the EPA’s Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, DPIRD’s Climate Vulnerability Assessment and the draft Climate Change Assessment Requirements and Guide for Large Emitters.
Nancy Chang (EPA) provided an update on the establishment of the NSW Net Zero Commission. The commission must consult with the Agriculture Commissioner ahead of delivering its first annual report on NSW’s progress towards targets and adaptation objectives in November. The Climate Change Outcomes Network was also discussed. This whole-of-government committee has been established to ensure strategic and cohesive climate actions across NSW Government departments.
Dr. Jason Crean (DPIRD) briefed the group on developments within DPIRD, including the Department’s transition to include new leadership roles and structural changes. Jason updated the CCAAG on the launch of the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), the largest in Australia with 72 partners and a $300 million investment. The group also discussed the upcoming publication of the Australian Sustainability Reporting System, which will mandate climate-related financial disclosures starting January 2025 for large entities.
DPIRD presented their Climate Vulnerability Assessment. The group discussed the use of GHG scenarios in DPIRD’s vulnerability assessments. Members emphasised the need for modelling for different emissions scenarios, while acknowledging the importance of aiming for lower emissions scenarios.
The EPA provided a summary of the feedback received on the draft Climate Change Assessment Requirements and Guide for Large Emitters.
The CCAAG will reconvene in early 2025. Members were encouraged to propose agenda items and suggest any additional stakeholders that should be engaged in future discussions.
At the meeting of the Climate Change Agriculture Advisory Group the EPA’s Executive Director, Strategy and Policy, Nancy Chang welcomed the group members.
The Co-Chairs, Nancy Chang (EPA) and Kate Lorimer-Ward (DPI) provided an update on both the EPA Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, and the NSW Government’s Climate Change approach.
The EPA outlined the recent climate change survey and results specific to the agricultural sector. Members were taken through a preview version of the online survey dashboard which explains the results of the survey and will be available on the EPA’s website early this year.
A discussion was had with Members regarding a proposed work plan for the group, and what needs to be included in future meetings. A work plan for the group will be drafted and circulated to members for comment.
Executive Director Strategy and Policy, Nancy Chang noted the EPA is looking forward to further collaboration and knowledge sharing with the Members as the EPA implements its climate change action plan.
The next group meeting is intended for June 2024.
At the introductory meeting of the Climate Change Agriculture Advisory Group the EPA’s CEO, Tony Chappel welcomed the group members and outlined the EPA’s vision, purpose and function for the group.
The EPA provided an overview of the EPA Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, which is structured around 3 pillars: inform & plan, mitigate, and adapt.
The EPA outlined preliminary findings from the agriculture sector from its recent climate change survey. This shows there is significant scope to work with our licensees across the agricultural sector to improve their management of climate change matters. The EPA noted it is still reviewing results and will present to the group further on this and intends to release results on its website early next year.
The Group will be Co-Chaired by the EPA, Executive Director Strategy and Policy Nancy Chang and NSW Department of Primary Industries, Deputy Director General, Kate Lorimer-Ward. This provides a joined-up voice into and across government.
EPA Executive Director Strategy and Policy Nancy Chang said the agricultural sector is very diverse and working with the members of this group will provide important insights.
“At the meeting members discussed the methods for adaption, noting that emissions, risks and impacts will be different across the sectors within agriculture. This included the need to understand where emissions are coming from and where they can be reduced.
“The meeting agreed that the inform and plan stage was a good place to start on the action plan, to gather information and evidence to inform the path forward.
“The group discussed the need to consider influences outside the agricultural sector, including at the state and federal level and across other industries.
“The group also discussed the scale of the agricultural sector and how agriculture businesses and the broader community could be supported and brought on the journey to engage in the material to reduce climate risks, without undue burden.”
The next meeting is intended to be in February 2024.