Understanding net-zero emissions is important because it is key to protecting our environment. Scientists say that to keep global warming below 1.5 °C, the world must reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
This shift toward net zero is happening faster and will continue in the coming years. More than 130 countries have promised to cut their greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. NSW’s net zero planning grant is one step toward the net zero revolution!
Here’s a step-by-step guide on securing up to $30,000 with NSW’s net zero planning grant.
Key Information
- Status: open now
- Grant amount: up to $30,000 to cover up to 75% of the project costs
- Key dates: applications close on Friday, 2 May 2025, at 5 pm (AEST) or earlier if funding is exhausted. Application closes in 80 days
- Total funding amount: $1.5 million
What is the NSW Net Zero Planning Grant?
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) offers the Net Zero Planning Grant.
It offers up to $30,000 to help businesses build a structured net zero approach, covering up to 75% of expenditures.
The funding is part of the Business Decarbonisation Program, which helps businesses identify and implement realistic ways to reduce emissions and improve long-term sustainability.
This grant provides an excellent chance for project leaders to get the funding required to conduct baseline evaluation and/or reduction initiatives.
The Net Zero Planning Grant provides an excellent opportunity for NSW businesses to obtain up to $30,000 in assistance to cover up to 75% of the cost of strategically planning for and progressing their net zero journey.
With experienced guidance and support, you can advance your net zero strategy, enhance resilience, and remain competitive in a continuously changing industry.
This money is part of the Business Decarbonisation Programme, a $22 million project that helps businesses plan and implement realistic, low-cost measures to reduce their carbon footprint.
How Much Funding is Available?
- Total funding pool: $1.5 million
- Funding per business: Up to $30,000, paid in two milestones:
- Milestone 1 – Up to $4,000, covering 75% of costs to identify key net zero actions
- Milestone 2 – Up to $26,000, covering 75% of costs to develop and implement detailed net zero plans
Later in this article, we cover what the two milestones entail.
What’s Covered in the Grant?
The grant is given in two stages:
Milestone 1: Up to $4,000 (covering 75% of costs)
This helps businesses figure out the key steps to move toward net zero. The areas covered include:
- Strategy: assessing climate risks and opportunities
- Governance: business leadership and decision-making
- People & Skills: building team knowledge
- Data: collecting and managing climate-related information
- Targets: setting clear goals
- Net Zero Planning: creating an action plan
- Finance: funding and budgeting for net zero efforts
- Stakeholder Engagement: working with customers, suppliers, and partners
- Reporting: tracking and sharing progress
Milestone 2: Up to $26,000 (covering 75% of costs)
This supports in-depth work in one or more of the above areas. It can include:
- Creating a greenhouse gas inventory (tracking emissions)
- Developing a detailed net zero action plan
- Implementing other approved activities
For more details, check the funding guidelines.
TIP: Businesses that receive the grant also have access to the Net Zero Business Guide, which provides helpful national and international resources for setting and achieving net zero goals.
Overview of the grant process: Milestones 1 and 2
The Grant consists of 3 key stages:
- Applying, and, if successful,
- Milestones 1
- Milestone 2
How to Apply?
- Applications are open 29 January – 2 May 2025
- This is a non-competitive grant—applications are assessed as they are received
- Apply early to avoid missing out on funding
Application process:
- Prepare your application – Complete the online form and gather supporting documents
- Submit your application – Provide proof of eligibility, including energy bills
- Await assessment – Applications are reviewed within 20 business days
- Sign the funding deed if approved
- Engage a specialist consultant and complete milestone activities
Who Can Apply? | Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this grant, your business must meet the following requirements:
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST.
- Operate in New South Wales (NSW) with a business site in the state. Government agencies (Commonwealth, state, or local) cannot apply.
- It should not be classified as a safeguard facility under the Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism.
- Spend at least $200,000 annually on energy at a single NSW site or at least $500,000 across multiple NSW sites. This includes all fuel costs except transport fuel.
- Have not already received funding from the Net Zero Planning Grant.
- It must not be closely related to a business already receiving this grant unless it falls under different industry categories based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) system. In this case, up to three applications can be submitted, but only one per related business.
The Safeguard Mechanism is a government policy that applies to major industrial sites that emit above 100,000 tons of CO₂-e annually.
Businesses covered by this system must keep their emissions below a government-set baseline or be ineligible for the grant.
How to Achieve Net-Zero Emissions As an Individual?
Understanding net-zero emissions is essential for our environmental goals. Scientists say that to keep global warming below 1.5°C, we must reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
This means reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and balancing any remaining emissions by removing them from the atmosphere, for example, through oceans and forests.
The journey to net zero starts with calculating emissions from all sources (known as scopes 1, 2, and 3).
In summary, net-zero emissions involve minimising greenhouse gas emissions and offsetting any remaining emissions by removing them from the atmosphere. Achieving this requires careful planning, clear targets, and effective reduction strategies.
How Can Businesses Utilise Cyanergy for This Grant?
Businesses that want to measure their carbon emissions, reduce them, and get expert guidance can use Cyanergy to get the most out of this grant.
1. Measuring Carbon Emissions
Cyanergy can provide an automated system for calculating carbon emissions based on widely recognised standards, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Businesses can accurately track their emissions by leveraging real-time data analysis. This tracking helps organisations understand their emissions and establish a strong baseline for their net-zero planning.
The collected data is essential for setting reduction targets and grant reporting, ensuring businesses remain aligned with national and international sustainability requirements.
2. Creating Reduction Strategies
Once emissions have been measured, businesses must focus on the best ways to reduce them. Cyanergy provides valuable insights that help organisations identify their highest sources of emissions, often referred to as hotspots.
Based on this analysis, the platform offers tailored decarbonisation strategies, guiding businesses on the most effective solutions, such as upgrading to energy-efficient systems, switching to renewable energy sources, and making operational improvements.
These recommendations align with the Net Zero Business Guide, a key component of Milestone 2 of the grant. By following a structured approach, businesses can ensure that their reduction efforts are practical and impactful.
3. Expert Consultation and Compliance Support
Navigating the complexities of net-zero planning can be challenging, but Cyanergy provides expert consultants to assist businesses.
Cyanergy helps companies meet all grant requirements, from developing strategies to ensuring proper financial planning and compliance. Our experts offer guidance on aligning with essential frameworks.
With ongoing consultation, businesses can stay on track toward their net-zero goals while meeting all necessary reporting and regulatory expectations. Talk to an expert!
4. Simplifying Grant Applications and Reporting
Applying for a grant can be complex, but Cyanergy makes it easier by providing businesses with structured carbon data, energy assessments, and financial impact reports.
These detailed insights simplify the preparation of grant applications and ensure that companies have all the necessary documentation for both Milestone 1 and Milestone 2.
Using Cyanergy’s system, businesses can maintain a clear audit trail of their net-zero initiatives, making securing and claiming funding easier while demonstrating their commitment to sustainability.
Businesses interested in maximising their grant funding can start by getting a free quote with Cyanergy to determine their eligibility and develop a tailored decarbonisation plan.
With a strong application backed by precise data and expert recommendations, businesses can accelerate their transition to net zero while gaining a competitive edge in the growing low-carbon economy.
