David Lindenmayer, a renowned forest scientist from the Australian National University, has also questioned the Authority for not advising an end to all native forest logging in its recent report.
The report, released last week, highlights that stopping old growth logging and reducing native forest harvesting, along with planting new forests where feasible, could contribute about 6% of the required emissions reductions by 2035.
Despite the government accepting the target range, the environment minister, Murray Watt, stated their intention not to halt old growth logging entirely.
The Greens’ forests spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim, argues that failing to end old growth logging would hinder achieving even the lowest target of a 62% emissions reduction.
McKim calls for a definitive date to end old growth logging, suggesting that the lack of clarity on this issue could lead to a shortfall in emissions reduction.
Some regions, such as NSW, impose restrictions on logging identified old growth forests, but logging of high conservation value native forests continues elsewhere.
The Greens advocate for an end to all native forest logging, proposing reforms in Australia’s environmental laws to enforce this ban.
According to McKim, ending native logging and land-clearing are among the cheapest, fastest, and most effective measures to cut emissions and safeguard biodiversity.
In his letter to the Climate Change Authority, Lindenmayer emphasizes the necessity of ending all native forest logging, arguing that scientific evidence shows such action would significantly help Australia meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
In addition, Lindenmayer points out that the carbon footprint of native forest logging in Tasmania alone is equivalent to the annual emissions of 1.1 million cars.
Both McKim and Lindenmayer stress the importance and urgency of stopping native forest logging as a critical step towards emissions reduction.
A government spokesperson clarified that the Climate Change Authority’s role is to recommend targets, not strategies to achieve them. They referred to the accepted target range of 62% to 70% set by the authority.
The Climate Change Authority’s spokesperson confirmed that their report suggests stopping the clearing of old growth forests, reducing native forest harvesting, and halving reclearing rates as a pathway to achieving the emissions reduction target.
