Potential indicators – Sustainable
A sustainable NSW is a society that values its environment and heritage and manages natural resources responsibly. This means the environment and natural resources are managed so the interests of current and future generations are balanced; and energy systems are secure. A sustainable NSW is one where Aboriginal communities are supported to care for Country.
The NSW Outcomes that support this wellbeing theme comprise:
- a secure and sustainable transition to a circular economy and Net Zero
- natural resources are used productively and sustainably
- the environment and our heritage is protected, enhanced and enjoyed
- communities and businesses reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Table 1.8 - Potential performance indicators for the Sustainable theme
| NSW Outcome |
Indicator | Metric | Why this is important |
Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A secure and sustainable transition to a circular economy and Net Zero | Resource recovery rate | Overall recycling rate for NSW by financial year | Resource recovery is an important contributor to the circular economy |
 |
| A secure and sustainable transition to a circular economy and Net Zero | Electricity generation from renewable sources | Percentage of electricity generated through renewable sources | Decarbonising the electricity sector will contribute towards achieving Net Zero |
|
| A secure and sustainable transition to a circular economy and Net Zero | NSW greenhouse gas emissions | Kilotons carbon dioxide equivalent emitted in NSW | Tracking emissions will monitor NSW’s performance towards achieving greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets |
 |
| Communities and businesses reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change | Community concern of risks of natural disasters | Self-reported level of concern and impact of natural disaster on residential property | Insight into the impact and risk of natural disasters from a homeowner’s perspective |
|
| Natural resources are used productively and sustainably | Large mine rehabilitation | Tracks the annual re-assessments of mine rehabilitation cost estimates, to ensure security deposits are sufficient | Tracks whether the security required for each mine site is sufficient to ensure the NSW Government will not be liable for the cost of rehabilitating land |
|
| The environment and our heritage is protected, enhanced and enjoyed | Land managed for conservation | Number of hectares of public and private land that are managed for conservation: includes national parks and reserves, private land, Indigenous Protected Areas, and marine parks and aquatic reserves | Conservation ensures native species are protected, natural resources are used in an ecologically sustainable manner, enables use for research, provides opportunity for enjoyment and supports cultural uses |
|
| The environment and our heritage is protected, enhanced and enjoyed | National Park visitation | Number of domestic visits each year to National Parks | A measure of NSW people enjoying the environment |
|
| The environment and our heritage is protected, enhanced and enjoyed | Proportion of early responses to biosecurity incursions | Percentage of incursions detected early (that were deemed eradicable) and responded to within set timeframes | Management of biosecurity risks contributes to sustainable economic growth and protects the environment |
|
| The environment and our heritage is protected, enhanced and enjoyed | Water quality | The Water Quality Index is based on monitoring data collected from sites within each catchment | Monitoring the condition of water ensures aquatic resources can support biodiversity and human activities |
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