Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE CHANGE, Mr JAENSCH
Research released yesterday clarifies beyond doubt that protecting Tasmania's native forest is our number one climate action. That research was mocked by your Minister for Resources and backbench. Dr Jen Sanger's report shows native forest logging is Tasmania's highest carbon emitting sector. Logging and burning native forest releases more than 4.65 million tonnes of carbon every year. That is more than 2.5 times our entire transport sector. Time is running out for climate action and our children's safe future. Will you commit to reading this report? Will you ignore the climate dinosaurs in the party room? Will you and the Premier meet with Dr Sanger to learn more?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for Franklin for her question. I am aware of recent reporting on research by Dr Jennifer Sanger, but in collaboration with The Wilderness Society and the Tasmanian Climate Collective that claims our native forest logging sector is the state's highest emitting industry. I have not yet been able to go through a copy of the research report. I am advised that it has not been peer reviewed at this stage.
Dr Woodruff - That is right.
Mr JAENSCH - The researcher's claim does not reflect official emissions data -
Dr Woodruff - That is the point that is made.
Mr SPEAKER - Order.
Mr JAENSCH - the State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventory data 2020, which shows that the land use, land use change and forestry sector, actually sequesters carbon, not emits.
Dr Woodruff - That is why you need to read the report.
Mr Barnett - Listen, listen.
Dr Woodruff - I am listening. This is about not net emissions.
Mr SPEAKER - Order, member for Franklin, order.
Dr Woodruff - But the emissions that are coming from logging and burning -
Mr SPEAKER - Order.
Mr JAENSCH - For the seventh consecutive year, as I mentioned here yesterday, Tasmania has maintained net negative emissions in 2020. We were the only state to achieve net zero or lower emissions due to our sustainably managed forestry estate, our long-term renewable energy investments and ongoing emissions reduction in our waste sector and other sectors. The result includes the emission sources from post harvesting operations, such as regeneration burns, and emissions sinks from post-harvesting growth of different forest classes. Sustainable forestry management is part of the solution to climate change, not the opposite.
Dr Woodruff - Will you meet Dr Sanger and talk about all this with her?
Mr SPEAKER - Order.
Mr JAENSCH - This is reinforced by the Intergovernmental on Climate Change (IPCC). The Tasmanian Government is committed to working across all sectors of our economy to continue to reduce emissions.
Dr Woodruff - Point of order, Mr Speaker, on relevance. Will the minister meet with Dr Sanger to discuss these issues with her face to face?
Mr Barnett - No.
Ms O'Connor - You are not the Speaker.
Mr Barnett - That is not a point of order.
Mr SPEAKER - On the point of order, all I can do is interrupt the minister to be relevant. I have been listening to the minister, and he has been relevant to your question.
While I am talking, when you ask a question, that does not give individual members the right to constantly interject while a minister is answering. You have the MPI after this. If you wish to stay in the Chamber between now and then, I ask that the minister be heard in silence.
Mr JAENSCH - Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Tasmanian Government is committed to working across all sectors of our economy to continue to reduce emissions. We will develop emissions reduction and resilience plans for each key sector, and this will include a plan for the land use change and forestry sector.
We are committed to the long-term sustainable management of our forests for the benefit of all Tasmanians, and to meeting our 2030 net zero emissions target.