Low Emissions Agriculture

Primary industries in NSW operate in one of the most variable climate in the world. Producers are seeing impacts from an already changing climate that is impacting on agricultural productivity, water availability, soil health. Extremes of these weather conditions can lead to droughts, floods, storms, bushfires, and the spread of pests, weeds and diseases.

Primary industries has an opportunity to mitigate against climate change through reducing emissions and sequestering carbon is an contributing to the global efforts to net zero ambitions.

Climate projections indicate that in the future, areas of NSW are likely to face decreasing winter and spring rainfall, increased intensity of extreme rainfall events, increasing day and night temperatures, fewer frosts and harsher fire weather.

New South Wales (NSW) agricultural emissions (excluding on-farm energy and emissions from land clearing) accounted for 18% of total NSW greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. Livestock were responsible for the majority of agricultural emissions, with enteric methane from ruminant livestock being the largest source at 71%. The agriculture sector is one of the most affected by climate change, but is in a unique position, due to its resources, to be a part of the solution to reduce NSW's emissions.

The NSW Government aims to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

To help achieve these climate objectives, the Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020 – 2030 outlines how we will reduce emissions. The plan aims to enhance the prosperity and quality of life of the people of NSW while allowing the state to deliver a 50% cut in emissions by 2030 compared with 2005 levels and progress NSW towards net zero by 2050.

The NSW Government is taking important steps to help each of our regions adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The NSW Government's Net Zero Plan, has invested $105 million in the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program (PIPAP) to support farmers and land managers to optimise productivity, reduce emissions, and seize new market opportunities.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries On-Farm Carbon Advice project is funded through PIPAP and is a joint initiative between NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.