Detailed submission - Shape the emissions reduction plan

Using forestry as a carbon buffer will only be viable with mass plantations of exotic species, which should be kept to the absolute minimum needed to offset industry in the short term to avoid widespread ecological harm caused by exotic plantations

High value native forest for harvest e.g. Totara, Matai etc. High value domestic and export timber. NZ has got to stop low value export. LVL and other structural timbers are gaining momentum. We need to start thinking decades ahead, not in 3 year cycles.

If planting exotics limit to species with harvesting value e.g. Redwood, Macrocarpa etc that can be felled and reforested with native bush.

One billion trees project grants have closed. We have recently bought a 15 hectare bock adjacent to the Ohau river. This needs native forest, however natives would earn us half the carbon income of pine. Pine will destroy the landscape but is lucrative. The government needs to honour commitments on existing pine plantations but should urgently put a deadline on new pine plantations. Removing the option of earning carbon credits from exotic plantations will remove the driver to plant them. Meanwhile, rising carbon costs will make native forests increasingly viable. Government subsidised native trees and grants for associated costs e.g. labour, tree guards, weed release etc could be considered.

If exotics are being planted to achieve short term carbon surplus to offset industry, then there should be a hard limit on the duration that credits are paid out e.g. 20 years. This would quite probably encourage planting of more native forests. Native forests will continue to absorb and store carbon in perpetuity, in addition to myriad ecological benefits.

Yes.

Exotics should have a hard limit on the time they will attract carbon credits, which should be the absolute minimum time they are required to reduce carbon production from oter parts of the economy.

In addition there should be an exit strategy for these plantations i.e. a business plan for felling, harvesting, and end use for these plantations, as well as a plan for subsequent native regeneration. As such, these exotic plantations should only be allowed in areas with suitable access for harvest, and away from established native bush or sensitive areas e.g. rivers

Take advantage of rapid growing native species e.g. Kanuka

Planting pines and other exotics in locations that will subsequently be difficult to control or non-viable to harvest is environmentally irresponsible. We should use the least exotics we can in order to bridge the gap, but they should only be supported in areas where harvest and subsequent native reforestation is viable.