New South Wales Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe announced this week that ANU professor Frank Jotzo has been appointed a Commissioner of the state’s new Net Zero Commission.  

A leading expert in the economics of climate change, Frank Jotzo is Head of Energy at the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) and a Professor at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy. 

The independent, expert Commission will play a crucial role in monitoring, reviewing, and reporting on the state’s progress towards emissions reduction targets, which entails a 50 per cent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a 70 per cent reduction by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050.  

“The strong, independent Net Zero Commission will provide us with expert assessments of our progress in achieving our net zero goals and adapting to our changing climate,” said Minister Sharpe in a media release announcing the Commission. 

The Commission will also provide advice on the NSW Government’s approach to addressing climate change, provide recommendations on plans or policies to meet the states targets and adaptation objectives, as well as educate and inform on ways to promote action to address climate change to “...help bring government, business and community along the journey towards our ambitious net zero goals,” said Minister Sharpe.  

“New South Wales faces a tremendous upside in the transition to a net zero emissions economy,” said Prof Jotzo. There are plenty of opportunities for new areas of business, innovation, and productive investment. The NSW 2035 emissions target is a yardstick for ambition, it can help guide policy and investment decisions.”   

“I am looking forward to helping feed into the process of monitoring progress and providing advice. It is good to have the university sector represented both with regard to climate science, and policy and economics.” 

Frank Jotzo has held lead senior author roles with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is currently also leading Australia’s Carbon Leakage Review, and contributed on the expert panel to the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Study. His research and leadership span decarbonisation strategies and economics of energy transition, policy instruments for climate change and environment, trade and investment and more. He teaches climate policy and economics at ANU Crawford School and in ANU Energy Change Essentials courses.