Australia has recommitted to protecting 30 per cent of its land and sea, after federal and state environment ministers agreed to a new national implementation plan for the Strategy for Nature — a whole-of-government framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss within four years. That is according to a joint ministerial statement ministers released on Monday 30 March, confirming the new plan will align with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Murray Watt, Australia’s Minister for the Environment and Water, joined state and territory environment ministers in endorsing the plan, drawing on input from the public, First Nations peoples, environmental organisations, researchers, and business and industry. The statement cited significant progress, including the passage of major environmental law reforms to the EPBC Act, a commitment to reduce emissions by 62–70 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035, the Net Zero plan across six sector emissions reduction plans, the advancing of the Nature Repair Market, the 30 by 30 roadmap, the National Circular Economy Framework, and investment in protected areas through the Australian Bushland Program.
Today, Wood Central spoke to Stuart Coppock — a NSW lawyer and governance professional who advises forest and timber businesses on matters relating to Regional Forestry Agreements and environmental laws — who said the new statement is strong on spin but weak on substance. “The statement says nothing about how the Commonwealth and the States will achieve 30% of protection over the coming four years,” Coppock said. “It is not surprising that an announcement is made with no details. It seems to be the new way when it comes to environmental issues. More stealth and secrecy than transparency.”
“What is on the table and has been for a while is a commitment that the WWF and other ENGOs have asked to be called up in future forest agreements,” he said. “That commitment is the effective cessation of native forestry.”
“Practically, it’s very difficult to achieve the outcomes without removing all State Forests from the supply chain and purchasing thousands of private properties. Yet, Minister Watt and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins say native forestry is here to stay. The two positions are incompatible. If not, please share the details. It shows similarities in the implementation of the EPBC reforms,” Coppock said.
- To learn more about Australia’s commitment to 30×30 and the potential role for forest and agriculture-based assets in meeting the land-based requirements, click here for Wood Central’s special feature from March 2024: How Can Australia’s New Green Laws Juggle Its 30×30 Pledge?
