The New Zealand Pulp and Paper Industry a Leader in Achieving Environmental Performance
The Chairman of the New Zealand Forest Industries Council, Devon McLean, says pulp and paper will continue to be an important part of the forest products sector.
Its wood is sourced from sustainably managed forests and both the wood and the pulp and paper industry itself are required to operate in accordance with New Zealand's world leading resource management legislation. This has as its underlying principle, the sustainable management of natural resources.
Mr McLean says an initiative to develop a national certification standard is now underway in conjunction with environmental and social groups to ensure that these high standards are recognised in international markets.
Not surprisingly, he says, the pulp and paper industry in New Zealand is a leader in the achievement of high standards of environmental performance.
"Given that such a high proportion of production is exported, the international competitiveness of the industry is also of paramount importance," he says. "Therefore while the industry is prepared to meet the environmental standards required by government, there are areas where government can assist."
In particular, Mr McLean says, government should be working to eliminate subsidies (such as non-sustainable forest management) in other countries, and reduce trade barriers. "It is important that government realises the cost disadvantages that some measures can impose on the international competitiveness of the industry. These measures include consent processes under the Resource Management Act which could be made more efficient, without compromising environmental performance standards."
Another area of concern is that climate change policies do not raise energy costs to levels which simply cause industries with CO2 emissions to relocate to developing countries without emission reduction obligations.
Devon McLean says the key is for all countries to accept equivalent environmental obligations, and for these to be recognised in the marketplace through mutually recognised certification systems.
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Devon McLean Chair, New Zealand Forest Industries Council |
Contact for Enquiries
Amber Duncalfe
Editor - RM Update
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Tel: +64 4 894 0710
Fax: +64 4 894 0745
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