Friday, 10 February 2006

Call for more forest plantings as Kyoto response

United Future MP and forestry spokesperson Gordon Copeland today called for a significant national increase in forest planting.

He was responding to reports that the cost of New Zealand's Kyoto commitments between 2008 and 2012 could soar to $600 million because of increasing deforestation.

"The answer is pretty simple really," said Mr Copeland "and that is to provide a financial incentive for new forest plantings by devolving carbon credits to the growers.

"It's not rocket science. We either incentivise the creation of new carbon sinks and nitrate filters or we end up paying hundreds of millions of dollars to overseas countries.

"United Future policy is to plant permanent new forests along our rivers and around our lakes to soak up agricultural runoffs (thus reducing greenhouse gases) and creating new carbon sinks.

"At the same time we enhance water quality and provide shelter for farm animals; a win-win financially and environmentally.

"United Future is working with Climate Change Minister David Parker and others to achieve these outcomes for New Zealand," said Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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