New CSIRO research commissioned by the Climate Change Authority with co-funding from the Clean Energy Regulator into Australia’s carbon sequestration, shows forestry currently provides ‘significant potential’ to help Australia meet its climate goals.

The research was welcomed by Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA) Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel, who said Tasmania’s forestry industry will be a key part of the Australia’s response to climate change.

“Tasmania’s forest industries will be a major driver behind reducing Australia’s carbon emissions and achieving the Government’s net-zero goals, and this new report highlights that potential,” Mr Steel said.

“Demand for sustainably produced timber and wood fibre products is increasing rapidly, and growing more trees across the country, especially in Tasmania, is the best way to help Australia reduce emissions, while producing a supply chain for essential products, from house frames to printing paper.

The report, Australia’s carbon sequestration potential states:

“…nature-based technologies such as permanent plantings, plantation and farm forestry, and soil carbon provide significant potential…”

“As production trees grow, they absorb carbon from the atmosphere and when they’re harvested, they lockup that carbon in the sustainable products their timber and wood-fibre produce,” Mr Steel said.

“The added benefit of more jobs in Tasmania is also a key reason to focus on forestry when Australia fights climate change and achieves net-zero emissions.

“We welcome this recognition of forestry’s potential in carbon sequestration from CSIRO and remind everyone that forest industries stand ready to contribute further to fight climate change.”