The NSW Government has launched the Net Zero Planning Grant, offering businesses up to $30,000 to develop a net-zero strategy. This initiative covers 75% of costs and is designed to help companies future-proof their operations by reducing emissions and improving sustainability practices. This application is closing May 2, 2025. Don’t miss out!

Why This Matters for Your Business

For many businesses, decarbonization can seem complex and costly. However, with structured planning and financial support, the transition can be both affordable and strategic. Large enterprises are increasingly expecting their suppliers to align with sustainability targets, making this grant a strategic opportunity to stay ahead of industry requirements and regulatory changes. This grant provides a risk-free way to get started on net-zero planning, helping businesses:

• Identify key emission sources and reduction opportunities
• Align with government policies and investor expectations
• Develop a structured sustainability roadmap
• Enhance operational efficiency and long-term cost savings

By securing this grant, businesses can leverage expert insights to create actionable net-zero strategies without bearing the full financial burden.

NSW Grant Fund Details

Total funding available: $1.5 million, Maximum grant per business: Up to $30,000, distributed in two stages:

• Milestone 1: Up to $4,000 (75% of costs) to assess key net-zero opportunities.
• Milestone 2: Up to $26,000 (75% of costs) to develop and begin implementing a detailed net-zero strategy.

Who Can Apply?

Businesses must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the grant:

Financial & Location Status

• Must have an active ABN and be registered for GST.
• Must not be a Commonwealth, state, or local government entity.
• Must not have already received funding under this grant.
• Must be a commercial business or not-for-profit operating in NSW with a NSW site address.
• Energy Use
• Must spend at least $200,000 annually on energy & fuel at a single NSW site or $500,000 across multiple NSW sites (excluding transport fuel).
• Must not be classified as a Safeguard facility under the Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism.
• Application Limits
• Related entities can apply separately only if they operate under different industry classifications (ANZSIC 2006).
• A corporate group can submit up to three applications, with a limit of one per related entity.

This grant supports businesses in developing a net-zero plan to identify emissions

Understanding the Grant Milestones

The NSW Net Zero Planning Grant is structured into two key milestones to ensure businesses make tangible progress towards their net-zero goals as per fig.1 below.

Milestone 1: Initial Assessment and Planning

This phase focuses on gathering critical data, evaluating current emissions, and setting a clear direction for the business’s sustainability journey. Activities covered include:

• Baseline Carbon Footprint Assessment – Identifying emission sources across operations, including energy use, supply chain, and waste.
• Regulatory and Industry Alignment – Ensuring that strategies align with upcoming sustainability regulations and industry benchmarks.
• Initial Decarbonization Roadmap – Defining high-impact actions and setting short, medium, and long-term goals.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Involving key stakeholders such as leadership teams, suppliers, and customers to ensure alignment and feasibility.

Milestone 2: Implementation Planning and Financial Modelling

Once the initial roadmap is developed, the second milestone helps businesses refine their strategy with a focus on practical execution. Covered activities include:

• Detailed Energy Efficiency Audits – Identifying areas to reduce energy consumption and integrate renewable energy solutions.
• Technology and Infrastructure Planning – Assessing the feasibility of green technologies, electrification, and carbon capture initiatives.
• Investment and ROI Analysis – Evaluating costs, benefits, and return on investment for proposed net-zero initiatives.
• Grant and Funding Strategies – Exploring additional financial incentives and integrating available grants into long-term business plans.

How Nelam Can Help

At Nelam, we specialize in developing sustainability strategy and ESG reporting. With expertise in ESG, compliance, and strategy, Nelam ensures businesses not only access funding but also build a realistic, impactful net-zero transition plan.

Nelam can support businesses in securing and maximizing the NSW Net Zero Planning Grant by offering:

• Grant Application Assistance – Guidance on eligibility, documentation, and submission.
• Net-Zero Roadmap Development – Identifying emissions reduction opportunities for Milestone 1.
• Detailed Net-Zero Strategy & Implementation – Creating actionable plans to secure Milestone 2 funding.
• Technology & Data Integration – Leveraging sustainability reporting tools aligning to your ERP systems such as NetSuite, Xero or Microsoft Business Central for compliance and impact tracking.

Don’t Miss Out – Applications Close Soon

This grant is a limited-time opportunity, with applications closing May 2, 2025. Don’t wait until the last minute—let’s start your journey to net zero today.

Resources: NSW Energy website, accessed 10 Feb 2025

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