The Coalition is seeking cross-bench support to disallow Labor’s dodgy carbon credit method.
Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method needed to be torn up, because it doesn’t contribute to Australia’s emissions-reduction objectives, and is wrong.
“Labor’s INFM method is just another way for Labor to force their net zero agenda on our forestry community, destroying lives and jobs in the process,” Senator Canavan said.
“Labor is setting up a scheme to use taxpayer money to pay states to shut down productive native forestry for carbon credits that don’t represent the emissions savings being claimed.
“The Coalition does not support the INFM method. That’s why The Coalition will vote to disallow the INFM method and we call on the cross-bench to do the same.”
Shadow Minister for Forestry Darren Chester said the method was built around a NSW Government election promise, and it will be paid for by Australian taxpayers while delivering no genuine reduction in emissions.
“I represent the Gippsland communities that have lived through the shutdown of native forestry in Victoria, and I know where this road leads,” Mr Chester said.
“It leads to mills closed, skilled workers gone, and towns left to pick up the pieces.
“This method doesn’t just fail on the science. At a time when Australia is facing a housing crisis, we need more Australian timber, not less.
“Locking up entire forest regions for 100 years means less timber to build Australian homes, higher construction costs, and greater reliance on imports from countries with lower environmental standards.
“You either use your own timber sustainably, or you use someone else’s. The Nationals will keep fighting to urge the Government to make the right choice.”
Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan said around half of credits that New South Wales claim would likely not generate genuine climate credit.
“We have long known The INFM doesn’t factor in leakage or harvested wood products, so the true extent of over-crediting could be even more,” Mr Tehan said.
The Nationals’ New South Wales Senator Ross Cadell has written to all cross-bench Senators, asking for their support. The disallowance motion will be listed on September 15, giving the cross-bench the time needed to consider its impact.
“We must stop Labor’s latest forestry failure and carbon credit scam,” Senator Cadell said.
“This week, we are urging the cross-bench to support our disallowance motion. With today being the National Forestry Day in Australia, it is a great opportunity for the cross-bench to consider our request.”
Australian Forest Products Association acting CEO Richard Hyett has warned over-crediting occurs when a project issues more ACCUs than the actual amount of carbon it has saved or removed from the atmosphere.
This occurs under the INFM Method because forest regrowth occurring after timber harvesting is not factored into the carbon calculations, the method relies on new ‘no harvest’ areas being progressively added to a project throughout the 15-year crediting period, and/or the settings for harvesting are incorrect.
“Forestry Australia’s careful analysis indicates that the INFM Method contains accounting and modelling choices that cumulatively act to overstate carbon benefits by 40 to 100 per cent,” Mr Hyett said.
“This is important, because ACCUs are used to offset real emissions elsewhere in the country. It is critical that we maintain the integrity of the ACCU system and stop methods that do not meet the standards so we thank the Nationals and all those that have supported the delay to critically analyse this flawed method.”
