Garnaut Review welcomed

Forestry Tasmania has welcomed the Garnaut report and on first reading is able to support many of its conclusions and recommendations.

Acting managing Director Hans Drielsma said the report is over 500 pages long and it will therefore take some time to digest.

However, Dr Drielsma said based on a quick review of the summarised main findings, it appears Professor Garnaut's treatment of the forest industry was fair and provided opportunity for the sector.

"We do support the Garnaut’s call for swift action and look forward to playing our part in a national response to climate change.

"And we obviously agree that forests can play an immediate role in providing offsets for emitters.
"Forestry Tasmania sees commercial opportunities for it to provide offsets for CO2 emissions from other sectors," Dr Drielsma said.

Professor Garnaut generally favours the delayed inclusion of the forestry sector in an Emissions Trading Scheme.
"This is a sensible approach, given that there needs to be further research to fully understand the relationship between carbon storage, forests, soils and wood products.

"We endorse his conclusion that carbon stored in wood products should be counted in carbon auditing, once reliable measures are developed.

"We look forward to working with the government to ensure the forestry sector can be included in a trading scheme as soon as possible. We can work with the government by participating in research projects that will lead to a greater understanding of the complex interactions within the environment."

ENDS

July 4, 2008

More information:
Claire Bennett
Corporate Relations and Tourism
Ph: (03) 6233 8249