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NSW Greens Forest Policy
(Ratified)
Ratified at SDC Feb 23, 2019
Principles
The Greens believe:
1. Australia is globally
significant for its biodiversity and forests are a key element in this
biodiversity.
2.Wild forests, native forests,
rainforests and multi-aged and old growth forests are significant in
maintaining water quality and quantity, protecting threatened species and their
habitat.
3.It is incumbent on government
to assess and enhance the ecosystem values that forests provide, including water
and soil quality, biodiversity and carbon capture.
4. Forests maintain water
quality, help to suppress salinity and provide the most efficient water
catchments for cities, towns and farms. Large tracts of forests can help
stabilise local weather patterns and microclimates, and increase local rainfall
by up to 15%.
5. Logging old trees increases transpiration when new trees grow as
replacements.
6.Soil compaction resulting from
logging and clearing decreases water infiltration rates and increases runoff
rates and erosion
7. Logging often increases the risk of fire in mature
natural forests, creating a situation where fire could destroy the entire
forest.
8. Controlled burns after logging expose soil to
dessication and erosion, decreasing the health of soils by destroying
microorganisms and insects and results in increased carbon dioxide, methane and
black carbon emissions that increases global warming.
9.Burning forests for power is
not renewable energy. It creates more greenhouse gases than burning coal,
creates pollutants that are injurious to human health, and destroys vast
quantities of trees.
10.Cessation of logging on public
native forests will protect their unique biodiversity, essential ecosystems
services, human health, cultural and spiritual significance.
11. Disturbing the forest floor through logging results in weed invasion
that increases the probability of Bell Miner Associated Dieback, infestations
such phytophthora, drying out and degradation of soil and increased fire risk.
12.Protecting native forests,
restoring degraded native forests and re-establishing forests on cleared land
is important for wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors, ecosystems and catchment
protection.
13.All mining, gas extraction,
pumped hydro and other damaging industries should be banned from state forests
and other high-conservation-value forests.
14.Establishing an
environmentally sustainable plantation industry will replace the logging of
native forests.
15.Promoting and fostering the
development of alternative fibre sources and their associated industries will
reduce the need for logging and woodchipping.
16. Protecting native forests is an essential and efficient way
to deliver reductions in global warming and should be part of the
government’s efforts to tackle climate change in line with the Paris Climate
Agreement.
17.All native State forests
should be reclassified as reserves under the National Parks and Wildlife Act or
as Indigenous Protected areas. Wilderness, Wild Rivers and World Heritage
assessments and nominations should be undertaken on all forested lands.
18.The forests of NSW provide a
range of vital ecosystem services to the people of this state, as well as a
wide range of healthcare and wellbeing benefits. Protecting forests directly
and indirectly increases the health and wellbeing of all citizens.
19.Sustainable, nature-based and
educational tourism and recreation activities in our forests are to be
encouraged and supported.
20.The establishment of an
effective regulatory system for all timber products on all land tenures is
essential to protect biodiversity, ecosystem services, landscape and cultural
values and promote carbon sequestration.
21.Aboriginal peoples have
managed native forests for tens of thousands of years, deriving their spiritual
and cultural identity, life and livelihood from their lands and waters.
Respectful engagement with Indigenous communities will enhance understandings
of cultural heritage and best practice for continuing custodial action for forests.
22.Aboriginal people have a vital
role in managing forests and should be able to derive economic, social and
cultural benefit from future uses of forests (excluding logging).
23.The principle of
intergenerational equity must be incorporated into decision making on forest
management.
See the full policy Greens NSW Forest Policy 2019
Aims/Actions:
The Greens will:
6. Address the Climate Crisis
6a.
Include
recognition of carbon-sequestration value of standing forests in any new Forest
Laws and Regulations.
6b.
Maintaining
carbon stores in landscapes (including forests) through avoiding emissions from
deforestation will help us reach our greenhouse gas emissions targets.
6c.
Increase percentage of durable timber products from any timber harvest
to further reduce global warming.
6d.
Incentivise
private landholders to use land use practices that preserve biodiversity and
forests as carbon stores.
6e.
Develop methodology for calculating avoided global warming as a result
of forest protection.
Ratified February 23, 2019 at SDC
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