As one of the largest public education systems in Australia, the department has a responsibility to be at the forefront of environmental stewardship that shapes a better future for our students, communities and people of NSW. Our Net Zero Roadmap is part of the department’s broader commitment to sustainability and our target to be net zero in operations by 2030. It also aligns with the NSW Government’s commitment to reduce the NSW economy’s overall emissions by 50% on 2005 levels by 2030.

The Net Zero Government Operations Policy requires the department to aim to achieve a reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions to contribute to whole-ofgovernment targets.

Net zero means reducing greenhouse gas emissions from human activity as much as possible, and then balancing out the remaining emissions with actions that remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Our comprehensive roadmap examines the department’s operations and sets the direction to net zero by establishing a baseline inventory of operational emissions (scope 1 and 2) and identifies the key focus areas where we can deliver reductions in those emissions. It also outlines the challenges ahead, and the action plans and initiatives required to achieve our goal.

Principals and schools can learn more about the impacts of the roadmap on schools and how schools can encourage students to get involved in environmental sustainability initiatives via Net zero in schools.