How Sydney is Reducing Emissions to Improve Air Quality
The Path to Breathing Easier in Sydney
All Sydneysiders know how beautiful the city is, but let’s face it; traffic jams, smog and the occasional brown haze over the skyline aren't exactly picturesque. We love our harbour views, but we could do without the haze, right?
According to the NSW State of Environment report, the transport sector’s greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 16% since 2005. In order to hit the NSW Government’s target of reaching zero emissions by 2050, dramatic shifts need to happen. This isn't just about making incremental changes; it's about rethinking how we move, live and work in our city. So, let’s dive into what the government is doing to steer us toward a cleaner, greener Sydney.
The good news
Real-time data from IQAir shows that Sydney’s air quality index (AQI) is 32, which is considered "good." This measurement was taken in January 2024, from an air quality monitoring station in the Sydney CBD. In terms of average AQI, Sydney ranks third after Melbourne and Brisbane.
And the bad…
That said, motor vehicle emissions significantly impact Sydney's air quality. The high number of petrol and diesel vehicles on Sydney's roads emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, which contribute to smog and reduce visibility.
What Sydney is doing
Reassuringly, the NSW Government isn’t doing nothing. Its Clean Air Strategy outlines a commitment to facilitating cleaner transport, engines and fuels by ‘further reducing air emissions and impacts from vehicles, fuels and non-road diesel sources.’ Now we just need to make this happen!
Increasing public EV uptake
The Electric Vehicle Council estimates that 50% of all new car sales in Sydney will need to be electric by 2030 for Australia to reach its 2050 targets. Where are we today? In 2023 EVs made up 7% of vehicle sales so there is some way to go yet.
Electric vehicles are a game-changer for reducing emissions, but they need robust support from the government to take off. By investing in a widespread network of EV charging stations and offering incentives like tax breaks or rebates for EV purchases, the government can make it easier for residents to make the switch.
Motorists in New South Wales are set to benefit from the largest rollout of public kerbside EV chargers in the country, thanks to the NSW Government awarding the first round of electric vehicle kerbside charging grants. Fulfilling its election commitment to boost EV adoption, the NSW Government is investing $4.1 million to install 671 EV charging ports at 391 sites across the state. This investment will be matched by $8 million from the private sector.
More good news: if you’re a NSW resident who bought or placed a deposit on an eligible electric vehicle with a dutiable value under $68,750 before January 1, 2024, you qualify for a $3,000 cash rebate, though unfortunately this is no longer available for new purchases.
An Electric Carshare Vehicle
Supporting carsharing initiatives
Carsharing programs offer a practical solution for reducing the number of vehicles on the road. By providing access to a vehicle when needed, carsharing decreases the overall number of privately owned cars, leading to lower emissions and less traffic congestion.
Each GoGet car takes 10+ vehicles off the road. That's not just fewer cars clogging up our streets; it's also a significant reduction in carbon emissions and a step towards a more sustainable future.
Fortunately, councils such as the City of Sydney have been promoting carsharing since 2008, installing over 800 dedicated on-street carshare parking spaces. Carshare operators like GoGet work with local councils to place carshare bays near where people live and work and help them avoid needing to buy a car or second car.
When you or your business choose to carshare, it's more than just a convenient way to get around—it's a commitment to reducing your carbon footprint and easing the strain on our city's infrastructure. By opting for carsharing, you're not only contributing to cleaner air and less congestion on our roads, you're embracing a more sustainable lifestyle.
Going green with plants
Get ready for a breath of fresh greenery because the City of Sydney is gearing up for a green revolution. We're talking about turning the city’s concrete jungle into a lush oasis, with its urban forest set to grow up to 50% by 2030.
How do plants and trees help? They’re powerhouses of environmental benefits. In just one year, a single mature tree has the remarkable ability to soak up 3,400 litres of stormwater, cleanse 27 kg of pollutants from the atmosphere and cool things down as effectively as running ten air conditioners non-stop.
Green infrastructure in Sydney is growing. Peeking at the City of Sydney’s Greening Sydney Strategy reveals that it’s currently increasing the number and type of street gardens and inroad greenery, and planting more street and park trees ensuring the largest species appropriate for the space is planted. And they’re not the only LGA getting involved.
But greening parks and public spaces isn’t all Sydney is doing, its buildings are getting greener too. 85% of respondents to the Sustainable Sydney 2050 community survey said they wanted buildings that incorporate nature into their design. For all new buildings in the city, including property, greening factors into the design consideration. Take Central Park, for instance, whose Patrick Blanc-designed vertical gardens that line Central Park are the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. GoGet members will also know that this development is home to GoGet’s largest superpod. Find out more about GoGet and Central Park here.
Promoting pedal power!
We Ride Australia’s Australian Cycling and E-Scooter Economy report revealed that in 2022 cycling avoided 514,096 tonnes of CO2 in greenhouse gas emissions, through replacing 3.9 billion kilometres of motor vehicle travel.
Promoting active transport such as walking and cycling can significantly reduce Sydney emissions. Investing in safe and connected pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is encouraging more people to choose these healthy and environmentally friendly modes of transport.
The NSW Government’s Active Transport Strategy aims to double walking and bike riding trips across NSW over 20 years. One key focus is creating a connected cycling network, with plans for over 1,000km of new cycleways, prioritising 100km of strategic cycleways by 2028.
So, whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or just out for a leisurely ride, remember that every pedal push is a step towards a healthier, happier, cleaner, greener Sydney.
And we know from talking with GoGet members that when people give up a private car and choose to carshare instead, they tend to cycle and walk more. This is because travelling by car is no longer the default option. Because carshare has a per trip cost, carshare members tend to think harder about their mode choice - often choosing to cycle or walk for their shorter trips rather than driving.
Want to learn more about how carshare and sustainability and why GoGet is great for the environment? Find out more here.
