The tree-planting initiative will help move Australia closer to the Paris climate agreement targets.
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Australia has set an ambitious target to plant 1 billion
trees by 2050 in an effort to fight climate change, enhance natural
landscapes, and boost the nation’s overall economic prosperity.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the scheme, part of a new National Forest Industries Plan,
will remove 18 million tons of greenhouse gases from the environment
each year between now and 2030 and, in turn, allow Australia to meet its
Paris climate agreement targets.
“Australia’s forest industries are part of the solution to climate change,” Morrison announced in a statement. “I'm interested in growing more trees and growing more jobs — it's as simple as that.”
“Australia’s forest industries are part of the solution to climate change,” Morrison announced in a statement. “I'm interested in growing more trees and growing more jobs — it's as simple as that.”
According to Morrison, the AUD 12.5 million tree planting initiative will work to support tens of thousands of jobs.
“Around 52,000 Australians are directly employed in growing and processing our forest products,” he announced. “Tens of thousands of additional jobs are indirectly supported by a sector that contributes more than AUD 23 billion to the national economy.”
“Around 52,000 Australians are directly employed in growing and processing our forest products,” he announced. “Tens of thousands of additional jobs are indirectly supported by a sector that contributes more than AUD 23 billion to the national economy.”
Four preliminary tree planting hubs will be set up in New South Wales,
Tasmania, Western Australia, and along the South Australia and Victoria
border. An additional five hubs will be developed in 2020.
The new measures follow a recent report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), which revealed Australia needed to sharply cut carbon emissions
in order to honor its promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26%
to 28% by 2030. The nation currently creates over 500 million tons of
CO2-equivalent each year.
"Australia’s emissions are projected to increase by 2030,” the OECD report stated. “Australia needs to develop a long-term strategy that integrates energy and climate policies. The country will fall short of its climate targets without a major effort to move to a low-carbon model.”
"Australia’s emissions are projected to increase by 2030,” the OECD report stated. “Australia needs to develop a long-term strategy that integrates energy and climate policies. The country will fall short of its climate targets without a major effort to move to a low-carbon model.”
Despite the stark findings, Morrison has long remained confident
Australia will meet the targets. With the new tree planting initiative
in tow, it seems Australia could be closer than ever to making the
climate objectives a reality.
“If there’s anything that Australia should be known for, it is that when we make commitments, we stick with them,” he stated. “We will meet our 2030 Paris climate agreement targets at a canter.”
Links
- Research: Planting Trillions of Trees Could Cancel Out CO2 Emissions
- Swarms of Drones Can Now Plant Trees in Areas Devastated by Fires
- World's biggest terrestrial carbon sinks are found in young forests
- Australia to plant 1 billion trees to help meet climate targets
- Australia in Tree-Planting Binge to Help Meet Climate Targets
- Scott Morrison announces forestry hub boost for Tasmania
- 6 People Making the Planet Green Again by Planting Trees
- Pakistan's New Leader Vows to Plant 10 Billion Trees
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