Climate change and what is it about?
Climate Change is one of the greatest social, economic and environmental challenges of our time. It is now well accepted that the effects of greenhouse gas emissions pose a serious long term threat to the economic and physical wellbeing of all societies. Given the significance of this threat, the global response to climate change will be one of the most important drivers of economic changes during this century.
For more information see www.climatechange.gov.au
What impact does it have for Australia, for NSW and specifically for the Central West region?
Australia is very vulnerable to the effects of climate change. It is the driest inhabited continent on earth, heavily exposed to the dangers of extreme heat and drought. Climate change is going to have a major impact on Australia's rainfall, temperatures, bushfire frequency, health, heritage and biodiversity for current and future generations.
The impacts of climate change cut across all sectors of the NSW environment, society and economy, and present significant risks and opportunities. Impacts are often regionally specific as NSW has diverse climatic conditions, some which are found nowhere else in Australia. NSW also has the largest poulation in the country and one of the most productive agricultural areas. Climate change effects for NSW may include:
- hotter, drier conditions which will put crops under greater heat and water stress
- rivers are likely to decline and extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent
- in the coastal zone, storms may combine with a rise in the sea level to worsen coastal erosion
- bushfires are likely to become more frequent and intense
- the area, depth and duration of snowfields are likely to decline
For more specific information on climate change impacts for the Central West region please see CMA web page.
For the Central West it implies that the ability to adapt to these fundamentally changed circumstances will be a central determinant in the success of its economy in the future.
What is RDA Central West doing?
RDA Central West has responded promptly to the imminent challenging situation which causes barriers but also opportunities and benefits for the businesses in the region. The Board has dedicated a position and designed a project which is taking a leadership role in addressing climate change issues in the Central West in partnership with a wide range of different stakeholders (councils, businesses, communities, organisations, RTOs, etc.).
The overall objective of the project is to establish a structure which will support industries and communities in their effort to adapt to an environmentally sustainable economy. Current activities are:
Partnership with DECCW (Department for Environment, Climate Change and Water)
In order to assist local industries and communities in Central West to operate more resource efficiently RDA Central West is facilitating some of DECCW’s business support programs:
Main benefits are:
- to improve understanding of the relevance and benefits of sustainability to your business
- to lower costs and improve productivity
- to enhance reputation as a supplier and employer of choice
- to access to the latest environmemental advice from business and government specialists
- to broaden your network - meet and share ideas with other organisations also addressing environmental issues
- to improve environmental performance and contribute to a healthier environment for present and future generations
For more information please contact Staci Watson.
Delta Electricity Biomass Co-firing project
Approximately 85% of all power generation in the East coast of Australia is derived from coal fired power plant; in NSW, nearly 98% of the electricity is generated in coal fired stations. Any projects able to demonstrate the substitution of coal with sustainable fuels are of extreme interest in a carbon constrained economy.
The Delta Electricity Biomass Co-firing project aims to replace 20% (200 MWe) of the coal used at Wallerawang power station with sustainably grown, carbon neutral biomass from plantations of local species such as mallee to be established in Western NSW.
For more information see Delta Electricity Profile or contact Sharon Rabey.
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