Foreword
This information document is an important step to involve the wider forestry sector in the development of New Zealand's domestic climate change policy for forest sinks.
As a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol's parent agreement, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, New Zealand is called on to conserve and enhance its sinks and reservoirs. We take this responsibility seriously. We recognise the importance sinks have in reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
The development of policies to meet our obligations under the Protocol is being conducted openly and transparently. Considerable effort is being put into consultation with interested groups. The Government recognises its obligation to explain what we are doing and why. We encourage your feedback on the best way to achieve the objective of protecting the global climate.
The challenge for the Government regarding forestry sinks is to design a system that takes advantage of sinks' commercial value while providing the necessary incentives to conserve and protect them. An interdepartmental working group has been charged with designing such a system. Over the remainder of the year, consultation on this matter will help the Government to get it right. In 2002 it is hoped that the framework of the system will be nearly complete, so that we can be in a position to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
I encourage readers to think about how a system for managing sinks might operate, in preparation for formal consultation in the months ahead.
Hon Pete Hodgson
Convenor, Climate Change Steering Group of Ministers
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Information Services
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