Yesterday the Government came under fire for allowing the development of an onshore gas industry without having the promised greenhouse gas offsets in place.

Griffith University's Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe said developing shale gas would have "a catastrophic impact on Australia's efforts to slow climate change".

Professor Lowe this week released a report "Climate Change Impacts of proposed shale gas development in the NT".

Experts have already suggested the shale gas industry could lift Australia's greenhouse gases as much as three per cent.

The NT Government has said it was still negotiating with the Federal Government on a way to provide a trade off from any rise in greenhouse gas production from shale gas.

The NT Government has set an a long-term "aspirational" target of net zero emissions by 2050.

In response to the criticism, a government spokeswoman said climate change threatens everything that makes the Territory lifestyle great and that is why our Government developed a response for action.

"We are not operating in silo, achieving our targets will require all sectors to be on board and for supportive policies across Australia, including at the Federal level.

"In addition, with the passing of the Environment Protection Bill 2019 in September, our Government has created a contemporary environmental protection regime that provides new approaches to environmental protection, including environmental offsets and protected environmental areas.

"This means that projects which may have a significant impact on the Territory's environment will undergo rigorous environmental assessment.

"This is a key election promise from our government and strengthens transparency and accountability for environmental decisions."

Environment and Natural Resources and Climate Change Minister Eva Lawler said: "Our Government and different sectors across the Territory, including electricity, agribusiness, land management, and the water sector are already taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"A draft Offsets Framework is expected to be released in the coming months.

"Responding to climate change helps us protect the things we value the most - the things we can't put a price on - and will create economic opportunities for Territorians and Territory businesses through the creation of new industries and local jobs."

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