NEWS
Green Paper gives green light for forest industry carbon
mEDIA rELEASE 17/07/2008
The Government’s green light for participation by the forest industry in emissions trading has been applauded by A3P, the peak national body for Australia’s plantation products and paper industry. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper was launched today at the National Press Club in Canberra.
A3P Chairman Mr Kim Creak said “A3P welcomes the Government’s indication that the industry can contribute to reducing Australia’s emissions through new forests, forest products and domestic production of paper.
“The forest industry is unique in the contribution it can make to reducing emissions. The primary production – trees - store carbon. The products – such as timber – also store carbon while in use and after disposal. And we are producers of renewable energy from forest and processing residues” said Mr Creak.
The Government has signalled its interest to capture those benefits – through including Kyoto forests, future inclusion harvested wood products, and maintaining the competitiveness of local industries like pulp & paper, where much of the renewable energy is produced.
“Australia’s forests can make a significant contribution to meeting Australia’s carbon abatement targets by 2020. A contribution which should not, and has not, been ignored in the Green Paper,” Mr Creak said.
A3P welcomes the following key areas:
A3P welcomes the following key areas:
- The inclusion of Kyoto forests in an Australian emissions trading scheme.
- The need to maintain the international competitiveness of trade-exposed, emissions-intensive industries, such as pulp & paper, when we impose a cost here that will not be imposed in competing countries.
- The desire to include the carbon stored in harvested wood products in future international agreements and in Australia’s emissions trading scheme.
A3P, with our industry peers, has clearly stated that the forests and forest products industry is ready to play its part through full inclusion in an Emissions Trading Scheme.
A3P, in accordance with the recently released Forestry single industry position, will be making a submission on the Green Paper and will continue to work constructively with the Government to ensure that the forests and forest products industry can effectively contribute to reducing Australia’s emissions.
Further information
Miles Prosser, Manager Pulp & Paper A3P – 0429 923 605
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