Tree Clearing, Hunger Strikes and Kyoto Targets – The Need for a Middle Ground.
Environmental and Planning Law Journal, 28 3: 201-212, 2011
University of Queensland TC Beirne School of Law Research Paper No. 15-51
13 Pages Posted: 4 Jun 2015
Date Written: 2011
Abstract
Climate change and loss of biodiversity have emerged as serious environmental problems in Australia and internationally. Australian governments have introduced laws designed to address these problems, including laws that restrict, and in some cases prohibit, tree clearing. Although regulation of tree clearing is needed to reduce emissions and protect biodiversity, there has been an overreliance on tree clearing bans by the Australian government as a means of meeting Kyoto targets, thereby reducing the need for emission cuts in other sectors. This article addresses recent legal, political and social developments in this area, and suggests a move towards a middle ground that provides for limited clearing in a sustainable manner, accompanied by emission cuts in other sectors.
JEL Classification: k00
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation