New Australian Government figures released today show that the Australian forest industry has kept the nation on track to meet its targeted reductions in greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

The report Tracking to the Kyoto Target was released today by Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong.

NAFI’s acting CEO Allan Hansard welcomed the report and said it was yet another indication that the forest industry was the most climate friendly industry in Australia.

“The report shown that forestry offset 21 Mt of greenhouse gas emissions, and is projected to continue to offset around 20 Mt until the year 2020,” Hansard said.

“To put this number into perspective, the average Australian car emits 5 t of carbon, therefore the forest industry in 2007 offset the equivalent of the emissions from over 4 million cars.

“If the industry meets its target of 3 million hectares of plantations by the year 2020 – under the Plantations for Australia: 2020 Vision – it is likely that the 20 Mt figure will be much higher.

“The figures in this report do not include the 5 million tonnes of carbon stored in wood products every year. The Australian Government Department of Climate Change figures again put to rest the misinformation peddled by some radical green groups and clearly shows the Australian forest industry is currently the only truly carbon positive industry.

“NAFI is working with other forest industry associations to ensure a unified position, that recognises the full set of benefits the forest industry can offer, is presented to Government,” Hansard said.

The report can be downloaded at: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/projections