NSW has legislated a path to net-zero emissions including five-yearly targets and consideration of the impact on rural communities and animals.
The new laws, passed on Thursday with cross-parliament support, require the state to cut emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent by 2035 on the way to net zero by 2050.
Interim targets for 2040 and 2045 will also need to be set by the government of the day while a new independent climate commission will monitor and advise on progress.
