Claims by the Bob Brown Foundation that a commitment from world leaders on halting deforestation by 2030 promises an end to native forest logging globally and in Australia by 2030 have been labelled both misleading and damaging to real climate action. Source: Timberbiz
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison and 104 other leaders at COP 26 this week signed a pledge to work collectively to “collectively to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030”.
The foundation described this as Mr Morrison promising “an end to native forest logging globally and in Australia by 2030”.
But the Tasmanian Forest Products Association, while welcoming the commitment, said the pledge did not support the foundation’s claim and made no commitment to end domestic native timber supply.
“The Deforestation Pledge acknowledges that reducing deforestation efforts need to be made in concert with increasing sustainable agriculture, sustainable forest management, forest conservation and restoration, and support for Indigenous Peoples and local communities; and this is where Tasmanian forestry is leading the way,” TFPA CEO Nick Steel said.
He said that in what is quite the opposite of the BBF claim, the Deforestation Pledge stated that we need to “facilitate trade and development policies, that promote sustainable development, and sustainable commodity production and consumption that do not drive deforestation and land degradation”.
“Timber harvesting operations in Tasmania do not result in deforestation, as all areas harvested are regenerated to ensure there is no net loss over time in forested area,” Mr Steel said.
“In simple terms, every Tasmanian tree used is replaced and we are ahead of the pack.
“Yet the BBF seeks to push local demand for hardwoods offshore and, in some places, contribute to more deforestation. It is total hypocrisy and achieves the opposite of the intent which is to end deforestation and develop sustainable local production,” Mr Steel said.
“This puts the BBF at odds with our nation’s commitment to the Deforestation Pledge and the good work being done in places like Tasmania.
“If we are serious about being part of the solution to deforestation globally, rather than contribute to the problem, we must increase, not decrease, the ability of Australians to source timber locally from our certified and sustainably managed natural forests and plantations,” Mr Steel said.
Furniture makers in WA were already seeking alternate supplies to Jarrah from Indonesian rainforest timber.
The ABC has reported – quoting WA Furniture Manufacturers’ Association president Michael D’Andrea – that jarrah timber prices had spiked 60% since the WA State Government announced it would stop harvesting native species like jarrah, marri, and karri in West Australian forests from 2024.
Mr D’Andrea told the ABC he had received pricing from Indonesian hardwood suppliers and, when his stockpile of jarrah ran low, he planned to start importing it by the container.
“This is Bob Brown telling half-truths masquerading as a whole truth, which is a non-truth,” Australian Forest Products Association chief executive Ross Hampton said.
Resources Minister Guy Barnett said Tasmania had not followed deforestation practices on public land for decades.
He said harvesting in state forests was sustainably managed.
“The rest of the world is following Tasmania’s approach,” Mr Barnett said.
“We welcome the announcement. We’re way ahead of the game.”
