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JA Bourne

Published name

JA Bourne

1. Are there any specific approaches applied in the method that you agree with?

No

1.a Why or why not?

The method is a component of a cynical strategy to delay action on limiting emissions relying on offsetting; a mechanism already shown to be ineffective at halting biodiversity loss and subject to corruption.

2. Are there any specific approaches applied in the method that you do not agree with?

Yes

2.a Why or why not?

The complete approach. Fund biodiversity protection and transition away from fossil fuel use and extraction.

2.b What do you think would be a better approach in the areas that you do not agree with?

Adequate funding by Federal and State governments to protect remaining intact and partially intact ecosystems. Transition the country away from usage of fossil fuels, including gas and immediately stop Federal and State governments subsidising fossil fuel extraction.

3.a Cleared Land (section 5.3)

Disallow clearing of intact endangered ecosystems.

3.b Certificate Issuance (section 16)

Administrative costs, public service costs developing the mechanisms to issue certificates must to spent on actually preserving and restoring biodiversity. Offsetting to date has been shown to be ineffective and susceptible to corruption with few clear gains for biodiversity.

3. c Monitoring (section 13)

How can any administration guarantee the replacement of 100-200 year old trees, etc? Administrative costs, public service costs developing the mechanisms to monitor schemes must to spent on actually preserving and restoring biodiversity. Offsetting to date has been shown to be ineffective and susceptible to corruption with few clear gains for biodiversity.

4. This method has been designed so it can be ‘stacked’ with the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme’s Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings FullCAM method.

The Committee would be interested in feedback on how well the method would facilitate stacking.

Offsetting continuing carbon emissions through retention or restoration of ecosystems is a very dangerous strategy, neither reducing emissions to the extent required to prevent catastrophic climate change or protect global biodiversity.

5. Is the proposed method consistent with the biodiversity assessment instrument?

No

6. Do you have any other feedback on the method?

The method and this cynical approach to saving biodiversity should be abandoned