The claim
“Climate change impacts are currently imposing economic costs on New South Wales households and businesses.”
Matt Kean made the claim on 1 October 2026, and it was reported by The Guardian on 2 October 2026.
Our verdict
Unverified
We could not confirm whether Matt Kean said climate change costs are currently imposing on NSW households and businesses. The available sources do not contain that exact statement.
Know something that settles it? Send us evidenceWhat we found
The Guardian article from 2 October 2026 shows Matt Kean arguing that the economic cost of climate change should be considered in planning decisions, but it does not quote him saying those costs are already affecting households and businesses. Reports from the NSW Net Zero Commission and Deloitte (January and June 2026) confirm that climate change is causing economic losses that affect household living standards and business conditions, yet they do not link those findings to Kean’s words. Other sources, such as the Insurance Council of Australia and a Treasury‑linked analysis, also describe climate‑related economic impacts but again do not mention Kean’s specific claim.
The evidence
- Supports the claim
A Treasury‑linked analysis projects rising economic costs from natural disasters for NSW households and businesses.
solarquotes.com.au· TAI: Fossil Fuel Exporters Should Cough Up For Climate Damage· April 13, 2021 - Supports the claim
The NSW Net Zero Commission published a report assessing the economic impacts of climate change in the state.
Net Zero Commission· The economic impacts of climate change in NSW: Understanding past impacts and future economic risk· June 1, 2026 - Supports the claim
A Deloitte report for the Net Zero Commission states that climate change is currently causing economic losses that affect household standards of living and business growth conditions.
Deloitte Access Economics / NSW Net Zero Commission· Counting the costs: Economic impacts on the New South Wales economy from climate change· January 1, 2026 - Supports the claim
The Insurance Council of Australia notes that climate change impacts the insurance industry and its policyholders, indicating economic costs.
Insurance Council of Australia· Insurance Catastrophe Resilience Report: 2020-21· September 1, 2021 - Background
The Guardian article shows Matt Kean arguing that the economic cost of climate change should be weighed in planning decisions, but does not quote him saying those costs are currently imposing on households and businesses.
www.theguardian.com· Matt Kean warns climate crisis ‘isn’t someone else’s problem’ as largest coal project in NSW history greenlit· October 2, 2026 - Background
A Facebook post from the NSW Legislative Council discusses emissions reduction and net zero targets, unrelated to the specific claim.
facebook.com· NSW Legislative Council· August 6, 2026
What we could not confirm
- The exact quote from Matt Kean stating that climate change costs are currently imposing on NSW households and businesses.
How we checked
We reviewed the Guardian article, government reports from the NSW Net Zero Commission and Deloitte, and other public statements from organisations such as the Insurance Council of Australia and a Treasury‑linked analysis. We reviewed 6 relevant sources.
Help us check this claim
We could not find enough public evidence to confirm or refute this claim. If you know of an official record, dataset, transcript or report that settles it, send us the link. We review every submission and update this fact check when the evidence changes the picture.
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