The NSW Government is delivering $11 million to build a pipeline of low carbon farming and land management projects that aim to cut pollution and support NSW’s transition to net zero.
Over time, these projects aim to save millions of tonnes of carbon pollution; helping protect our climate for future generations while developing new innovations in low carbon farming.
These projects will help make farms healthier and more productive, grow more trees, protect wildlife and natural habitats, and create more jobs and opportunities for people living in regional communities.
So far, nine projects worth more than $6.6 million are approved and will begin soon. The remaining Low Carbon Landscapes grantees will be announced over the coming months.
One project will support WWF Australia’s Koala-Friendly Carbon Initiative which is empowering local landholders to restore vital habitat for endangered east coast koalas. Funding will be used to develop a model for high-integrity carbon projects that support biodiversity, Indigenous leadership and nature-positive restoration across the Richmond and Clarence catchments.
Another project, delivered by Australia Wool Innovation, will work with 21 sheep farms to develop a reliable way to measure and track soil carbon over time, while assessing each farm’s potential to run carbon projects.
The grants will help with early planning work, talking with local landowners, choosing the best methods of carbon abatement, exploring market opportunities, business cases and attract private investment.
Quotes attributable to NSW DCCEEW Executive Director Jenny Merkley:
“The NSW Government is helping great ideas get off the ground by connecting landholders, industry and investors to deliver projects that reduce emissions while strengthening regional economies.
“This funding helps project proponents do the groundwork needed to engage with carbon markets and attract private investment, turning strong concepts into commercially viable projects that can scale up carbon abatement across NSW.
“Projects like these also have the potential to restore landscapes, improve biodiversity and deliver lasting benefits for regional communities while helping us meet our climate goals.”