NSW Greens urge federal support for carbon credits to protect koala habitats

The NSW Greens are urging federal Greens senators to oppose a motion by the Nationals and One Nation to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management Method (INFM). The legislation, supported by the NSW Labor government and the federal government, allows states to earn carbon credits by opting out of commercial logging in public native forests.

Proponents, including NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson and various environmental groups, argue that the INFM is essential to fund the creation of the Great Koala National Park on the NSW mid-north coast. They contend that if the motion succeeds, logging in these areas will be locked in for years.

However, the proposal has caused a rift within the Greens. Former leaders Bob Brown and Christine Milne have expressed opposition, with Brown stating that carbon trading should not be a prerequisite for establishing national parks. Critics, including The Australia Institute, argue that the method allows carbon emitters to avoid actual emission cuts by using forest credits instead.