Forests sell-off risks failure for NSW on greenhouse gas reduction - 15 February 2005

NSW risks losing its status as a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions if the state government proceeds with plans to sell the state’s pine plantations, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“Allowing the state’s plantations to fall into private hands at a time when the world is looking to Australia to lift its game on climate change is nothing short of madness.


“Bob Carr has made plenty of noise about the need to ratify the Kyoto Protocol but he is now allowing his government’s greenhouse sceptic Michael Costa to sell the plantations and give away its ability to trade in carbon credits and meet greenhouse reduction targets.”


Protest - "keep state forests from the furnace"Mr Cohen said that in private hands, the state’s 205,000 hectares of plantations could be cleared or burnt to produce energy. This would add significantly to the state’s greenhouse emissions.


The Kyoto Protocol will come into force tomorrow even though Australia and the United States have refused to ratify the agreement. Premier Bob Carr has committed NSW to meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in the Protocol.


To meet targets, the Kyoto Protocol allows for the use of flexible mechanisms such as emissions trading through the capture of carbon in ‘carbon sinks’. The most effective way to capture carbon is through its storage in vegetation such as forests.


“It is no secret that Economic reform Minister Michael Costa, who is pushing the privatisation idea, is a greenhouse sceptic. He has made it clear many times he doubts what the Premier and the world’s scientific community believes is happening to the world’s climate.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656