Previous Consultation and Background Information
Engagement Document
Forestry is a core component of the Government's plans to ensure New Zealand's sustainable economic development.
The environmental policies now being developed are consistent with international obligations, notably those under the Kyoto Protocol. This requires developed country signatories (of which New Zealand is one) to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions to five percent below 1990 levels.
The Government has decided in principle that it will use a New Zealand emissions trading scheme (ETS) as the main price-based means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging forest carbon sinks.
Regional forestry public meetings
Seven regional forestry meetings were held by MAF in October 2007 following the government's September announcement on climate change and the emissions trading scheme. These meetings focused specifically on forestry - including the detail of how forestry is being included in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, and its place in the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Plan of Action.
They were attended by foresters, business advisers and farmers with an interest in forestry.
Industry sectors, local government, Māori and other stakeholders were also able to comment on the Government's Emissions Trading Scheme proposals during a series of workshops, regional meetings and hui held across the country in September and October.
Details of these events and the feedback received at them.
Earlier Consultation
In December 2006, the Government released a discussion document on Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Options for a Plan of Action. Its aim was to establish an ongoing, constructive relationship with all relevant stakeholders, including industry sectors, local Government and Māori.
Consultation included 43 meetings with farmers, foresters, local government and Māori and resulted in 1,233 written submissions. Key themes from the feedback indicated that people wanted to see all sectors of the economy working together and playing their part in addressing climate change.
Foresters, in particular, wanted the opportunity to benefit from the positive contribution they make to climate change, while many submissions said maintaining land use flexibility and fairness were also vital.
The comments were brought together in a consultation document presented to Cabinet in June 2007, after which the Government agreed to pursue an economy-wide Emissions Trading Scheme.
Discussion document - Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change
Supplementary discussion document - Design Options for a Tradeable Deforestation Permit Regime
The following Cabinet papers are related to forestry in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and to the Plan of Action for Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change.
- Forestry Sector Specific Components of NZ ETS Release of Public Engagement Document [1.8MB PDF]
- Report on Consultation with the Forestry Sector over Climate Change Policy Options [650KB PDF]
- Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change A Preferred Plan of Action [950KB PDF]
Contact for Enquiries
Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change
MAF
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 CLIMATE (254 628)
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