CARBON FARMING SCHEME TO BOOST BIODIVERSITY, PRODUCTIVITY

INDEPENDENT MP for Lyne Robert Oakeshott today welcomed the introduction of legislation to establish the Carbon Farming Initiative.
“Here is the opportunity for our region to get seriously engaged and start reaping the benefits of a low-carbon economy,” Mr Oakeshott said.
“The implementation of this scheme is an important step to achieving biodiversity outcomes and boosting productivity on agricultural land on the Mid-North Coast and throughout rural Australia.
“This week’s introduction of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Bill 2011 follows the release earlier this month of Professor Ross Garnaut’s Fourth Report, which focused on land-use and biodiversity outcomes in a carbon market.
“There are clear opportunities now presenting themselves, where the co-benefits of a carbon market include better soils, better biodiversity and regional economic empowerment.
“By opening carbon markets to landholders, the Carbon Farming Initiative is an important link in the creation of opportunities for land-use and biodiversity outcomes through off-setting arrangements.
“Many on the Mid-North Coast and are already doing good work in this area and I look forward to seeing more benefits from the opportunities that are coming to a low-polluting region like ours.”
Mr Oakeshott said the Carbon Farming Initiative would give local landholders the opportunity to generate revenue by reducing or storing carbon pollution.
“This voluntary scheme will reward sustainable farming and carbon abatement through the sale of credits to companies looking to offset their emissions,” he said.
ENDS
Media contact: Garth Norris – 0429-787320