27 August 2012
Foresters feel the watering down of the Emissions Trading Scheme has reached "overkill" level and will result in the partial deforestation of the country. In the cabinet papers released this week on the amendments to the scheme, the Government makes no bones about the economic growth motive behind extending the light impact of the scheme on businesses emitting carbon.The scheme which critics say has made no discernible difference to the country's emissions patterns, is now to be watered down in a very short timeframe.
In the released papers, the government justifies the move by saying that New Zealand will meet its Kyoto agreement targets and that it is important that the country only does its “fair share” of emissions reductions.
David Rhodes, president of the Forest Owners Association, says the proposed changes have caused dismay among foresters.
Rhodes said: “From our perspective the disappointment continues. In particular I would summarise the position of the government as being overkill in terms of protecting the emitters.
“All I can see is unconstrained emissions and constrained forestry.”
Source: Story by Rob Stock, Sunday Star-Times. To read the full story, click here.