10 Dec 2013

Foresters say ETS still full of uncertainties

12:45 pm on 10 December 2013

The Forest owners association says moves by the Government to clarify what units will be allowed in New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will do nothing to stimulate more tree planting or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Acting climate change minister Simon Bridges has announced restrictions on the use of some types of Kyoto Protocol emission units in New Zealand's ETS.

Forest owners association vice-president Peter Clark says that doesn't address uncertainties hanging over the ETS in particular what the Government's plans are for auctioning emission units.

Mr Clark says the ETS isn't addressing the big issue, and that's reducing the greenhouse emissions that contribute to global warming.

Uncertainties surrounding the ETS will nor encourage investment in emission reduction or sequestration, he says.