The Net Zero Government Operations Policy
Helping NSW Government agencies reduce their emissions to contribute to our state’s net zero targets

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- Why we are upgrading our electricity system
- How we are transitioning our electricity system
- How NSW will benefit from the energy transition
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- A long-term vision for locals
- The best office in the world
- The future of farming is here
- Renewables generates 100 new jobs for Western Sydney manufacturer
- The people behind NSW’s energy transition
- NSW ’s giant super battery is underway
- Unlocking opportunities for the people of Dubbo
- Meet Bridget from the Central-West Orana REZ
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- Agreement between the state of NSW and Origin on its plans for Eraring power station
- NSW coal market price emergency
- Delivering a Gas Decarbonisation Roadmap
- NSW Embedded Network Action Plan
- NSW Transmission Planning Review 2025
- Network-to-network connection process
- Corrosion protection systems
- Demand response
- Electricity Market Operation Rules
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- Review and reform
- Safeguard design
- Exemptions
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- Air conditioner - eligibility
- Core eligibility
- Electric water heater replacement with a solar electric boosted water heater - eligibility
- Electric water heater replacement with an air source heat pump - eligibility
- Electric water heater replacement with an air source heat pump - eligibility
- Gas water heater replacement with a solar electric boosted water heater - eligibility
- Gas water heater replacement with an air source heat pump - eligibility
- Gas water heater replacement with an air source heat pump - eligibility
- HVAC - eligibility
- Heat pump water heater - eligibility
- Hot water heater - eligibility
- Install a new air source heat pump - eligibility
- Pool pump - eligibility
- Refrigerated cabinet - eligibility
- Solar battery - certificates
- Solar battery - eligibility
- Solar battery - eligibility
- Solar battery eligibility landing
- Spare refrigerator or freezer - eligibility
- Ventilation or refrigeration motor - eligibility
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- Air conditioner - certificates
- Electric water heater replacement with a solar electric boosted water heater - certificates
- Electric water heater replacement with an air source heat pump - certificates
- Electric water heater replacement with an air source heat pump - certificates
- Gas water heater replacement with a solar electric boosted water heater - certificates
- Gas water heater replacement with an air source heat pump - certificates
- Gas water heater replacement with an air source heat pump - certificates
- HVAC - certificates
- Heat pump water heater - certificates
- Hot water heater - certificates
- Install a new air source heat pump - certificates
- Pool pump - certificates
- Refrigerated cabinet - certificates
- Solar battery - certificates
- Solar battery certificates landing
- Spare refrigerator or freezer - certificates
- Ventilation or refrigeration motor - certificates
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- Administration and compliance
- Energy certificate schemes
- Gas network safety and operating plans
- Pipeline management plans
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- Scaling up a thriving renewable fuel industry in NSW
- Going circular in clean energy
- Pipelines and Gas Supply Acts proposed updates - 2024
- Public consultation: Ministerial Statement of Expectations: Protecting NSW customers of embedded networks
- Solar emergency backstop
- ASP Scheme review
- Corrosion Protection Systems Regulation 2020
- Digital metering: improving service delivery in NSW
- Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap consultations
- Queensland-Hunter Gas Pipeline ATS
- Public lighting code
- Service and installation rules
The Net Zero Government Operations Policy sets out the requirements for common government operations that significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions. It also includes broader sustainability measures, such as saving water and minimising waste.
Why the policy is important
The Net Zero Government Operations Policy encourages NSW Government agencies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This will help us achieve NSW’s emissions reduction targets, as set by the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023.
The Act commits the NSW Government to effective action on climate change. It helps ensure a sustainable and fair future for the people, economy, and environment of NSW.
Find out more about the NSW Government’s commitment to reaching net zero emissions.

What the policy means for your agency
The policy applies to all NSW Government agencies with 100 or more staff. It is voluntary for other agencies.
The 24 actions and targets in the policy help your agency take the steps needed to help us reach our net zero targets.
They help your agency to operate more efficiently and save energy and maintenance costs. They also improve environmental and health outcomes.
Agencies must:
- implement the policy and report on compliance each year
- have long-term net zero transition plans in place
- decarbonise buildings and fleets gradually
- preference goods and services containing recycled content on an ‘if not, why not’ basis.
Read the Net Zero Government Operations Policy
Net zero transition plans
Agencies must produce a long-term transition plan. These plans must:
- aim to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions
- identify their biggest scope 3 emissions sources and include actions to address them (by 30 June 2027)
- decarbonise their buildings’ operation using the rating schemes of the policy
- replace gas-fired plant and equipment with electric (or other fossil fuel-free alternatives) at end-of-life or earlier, if cost-effective
- electrify fleet vehicles to contribute to the policy’s decarbonisation targets for passenger and light commercial vehicles
- implement an organics collection service if their operations have a high volume of food waste (from 1 July 2026)
- preference goods and services that contain recycled content on an ‘if not, why not’ basis.

Agency monitoring and reporting
Agencies must report their performance against this policy and publish their results against the key performance indicators (KPIs) for each financial year.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will collate and publish agency data on this website. The report will show how agencies are contributing to progress towards NSW’s legislated emissions reduction targets.
Download the NZGO Monitoring and Reporting Framework
Help is available
Please contact us for help to:
- implement the Net Zero Government Operations Policy
- produce your agency’s net zero transition plan
- report on the policy.
Contact us
Phone: 1300 361 967
Email [email protected].