NSW government grants $11m to curb carbon pollution

The NSW government is granting $11 million to support low carbon farming and land management projects that aim to cut pollution and support the state's transition to net zero.

Nine projects worth more than $6.6 million are already approved and will begin soon. The remaining grant recipients will be announced in the coming months.

NSW's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said the projects will make farms healthier and more productive, grow more trees, protect wildlife and natural habitats, and create more jobs and opportunities for people living in regional communities.

These projects aim to curb carbon pollution while developing new innovations in low carbon farming.

"This funding helps project proponents do the groundwork needed to engage with carbon markets and attract private investment, turning strong concepts into commercially viable projects that can scale up carbon abatement across NSW," NSW DCCEEW executive director Jenny Merkley said.

One project will support World Wildlife Fund's koala-friendly carbon initiative which is helping local landholders to restore vital habitat for endangered east coast koalas.

Another one will help Australia Wool Innovation work with 21 sheep farms to develop reliable ways to measure and track soil carbon over time.

"Projects like these also have the potential to restore landscapes, improve biodiversity and deliver lasting benefits for regional communities while helping us meet our climate goals," Merkley said.

Other grantees include Greening Australia, Little River Landcare Group, Regen Farmers Mutual, Western Murray Land Improvement Group, Riverine Plains, Holbrook Landcare Group and Macka's Australian Black Angus Beef.

"The NSW government is helping great ideas get off the ground by connecting landholders, industry and investors to deliver projects that reduce emissions while strengthening regional economies," Merkley said.