• The NSW Government is the single largest employer in NSW. It also manages a vast amount of infrastructure, buildings and services across the state.
• By introducing resource-efficient alternatives and reducing emissions, state government agencies can make significant savings and help create an environmentally sustainable future for NSW.
• The NSW Government’s Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020–2030 aims to enhance the prosperity and quality of life of the people of NSW while delivering a 47-52% cut in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The fourth priority of the Net Zero Plan is for NSW government agencies to lead by example by reducing their emissions, supporting sustainable alternatives and maximising the environmental value of their assets.
• The NSW government offers resources and support for agencies to reduce emissions across their infrastructure, services and corporate processes.

State government and climate change

Reducing emissions is part of Australia’s commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement which the NSW Government endorsed under the NSW Climate Change Policy Framework. A key part of the agreement is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with the goal being to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Australia will help achieve this goal by transitioning to net zero emissions around 2050. The NSW Government has a goal of halving NSW’s emissions by 2030 on 2005 levels. The foundation of NSW’s climate action is the Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020–2030.

One of the four main priorities of the Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030 is to ensure the NSW Government, including state government agencies, leads by example in achieving our commitments and targets.

The NSW Government has many opportunities to significantly reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, by switching to resource-efficient alternatives for its infrastructure, services and corporate processes.

NSW government agencies purchase around $20 billion of goods and services each year, employ 10% of the state’s workforce and manage around 15% of NSW land, including schools, hospitals, conservation areas and national parks. As of 2020, NSW government agencies spend around $400 million each year on electricity and operate 13,000 passenger vehicles for their staff.

By adopting resource-efficient alternatives, NSW government agencies can also reduce their emissions, make significant savings, and lead by example to help create an environmentally sustainable future for NSW.

How state government can reduce their impact

The NSW Government’s Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020–2030 outlines the NSW Government’s plan to halve NSW’s emissions by 2030 on 2005 levels and progress NSW towards net zero emissions by 2050. To support priority four of the NSW Government leading by example, the NSW Government will:

• monitor and reduce its own emissions
• help bring sustainable goods, services and practices into the market, and;
• maximise the environmental value of the assets it oversees.

Related information 

Sustainability Advantage – NSW Government 

Asset Management Policy – NSW Government 

NSW Sustainability Bond Programme – NSW Government 

Sustainability in government agencies – NSW Government 

Government Resource Efficiency Policy – NSW Government 

ISO 20400:2017 Sustainable procurement – Guidance – The International Organization for Standardization 

ISO 20400 self-assessment for organisations – ISO20400.org