Australian environmental movement divided over new forest carbon method

A significant division has emerged within the Australian environmental movement regarding the Improved Native Forest Management Method (INFM). This new carbon accounting method, proposed by the NSW Labor government and approved by the Albanese government, allows state governments to generate revenue from publicly owned native forests.

Proponents of the method, including various scientists and environmental groups, argue it could generate hundreds of millions of dollars for forest restoration and potentially end native forest logging by shifting the industry toward plantations. Professor David Lindenmayer of the Australian National University described it as a major opportunity to save remaining native forests.

Conversely, the method faces opposition from the logging industry, forestry unions, the Nationals, and One Nation. Opponents, including Nationals leader Matt Canavan, argue the policy would damage Australia’s sustainable native forestry industry, threaten sovereign timber supply, and negatively impact regional communities and agricultural land by locking up productive forest land for a century.