Figure D.36: LULUCF share of Australia’s emissions, selected years, 1990–2030
Source: Climate Change Authority calculations using results from Treasury and DIICCSRTE 2013
The Treasury and DIICCSRTE modelling projects that net LULUCF emissions could decrease to 13 Mt CO2-e in 2020 and 11 Mt CO2-e in 2030 in the high scenario, or otherwise increase to 30 Mt CO2-e in 2020 and 34 Mt CO2-e in 2030 in the no price scenario (Figure D.36).
Figure D.37: Deforestation and other land use change emissions and sequestration, 1990–2030
Note: Negative emissions reflect carbon sequestration. Upper and lower line bounds illustrate the range of modelled outcomes.
Source: Climate Change Authority calculations using results from Treasury and DIICCSRTE 2013
D9.2 LULUCF emissions outcomes, contributors and drivers
Figure D.38 shows actual LULUCF emissions and removals by subsector from 1990 to 2030. The vast majority of LULUCF emissions and removals, both current and projected, are from forestry activities (deforestation, reforestation and afforestation, and forest management). Non-forestry activities (cropland and grazing land management and revegetation) are much smaller sources of emissions and removals.
Figure D.38: Contributors to LULUCF emissions, selected years, 1990–2030, and to change in emissions relative to 2000 levels
Source: Climate Change Authority calculations using results from Treasury and DIICCSRTE 2013
D9.2.1 Outcomes
The Treasury and DIICCSRTE modelling projects net LULUCF emissions may decrease by 2 Mt CO2-e to 19 Mt CO2-e from 2012 to 2030 under both the low and medium scenario, and decrease to 11 Mt CO2-e under the high scenario. Under the no price scenario, emissions are projected to increase to 34 Mt CO2-e in 2030.
Over the period from 2013 to 2020, the Treasury and DIICCSRTE modelling projects cumulative LULUCF emissions reductions associated with the Kyoto Protocol accounting changes and additional land management acitivities of 90 Mt CO2-e irrespective of price incentives. Cumulative emissions reductions are projected to rise to 126 Mt CO2-e in the medium scenario. Similarly, the ANU Centre for Climate Law and Policy estimates potential LULUCF emissions reductions of 110–115 Mt CO2-e from forest management, crop land management, grazing land management and revegetation activities from 2013 to 2020 (Issues Paper submission, pp. 12–14).
Since 1990, deforestation emissions have declined, reflecting economic factors and also the strengthening of state and territory restrictions on land clearing regulations over the period. Between 1990 and 2011, emissions fell by over 100 Mt CO2-e to 38 Mt CO2-e, before increasing to 47 Mt CO2-e in 2012. The Treasury and DIICCSRTE modelling projects deforestation emissions will increase to 50 Mt CO2-e in 2013, remain steady to 2020, and gradually decline to 46 Mt CO2-e in 2030 under both the low and medium scenarios. Under the no price scenario, emissions are projected to increase to 52 Mt CO2-e in 2030, peaking at 54 Mt CO2-e in 2016. Recent relaxation of land clearing restrictions in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia may contribute to increasing emissions.
According to the Treasury and DIICCSRTE modelling, sequestration from reforestation and afforestation increased from 11 Mt CO2-e in 2000 to 25 Mt CO2-e in 2012. This was in part driven by economic conditions and forest Managed Investment Schemes, which allowed investors to deduct 100 per cent of their investment against taxable income earned elsewhere. Regulations governing these schemes were tightened in 2007 and have contributed to a reduction in tree plantation investments. ClimateWorks (2013, p. 21) reported the area of plantation forests cleared in 2012 exceeded new plantings, resulting in a reduction in the total plantation estate for the year.
The Treasury and DIICCSRTE modelling projects afforestation and reforestation sequestration will decrease to below 10 Mt CO2-e in 2020 and 2030 under all scenarios. Many of the plantations established in the early 2000s were short-term pulpwood and are nearing readiness for harvest. Due to policy uncertainty and long investment returns from tree plantations, ClimateWorks (2013, p. 31) projects a significant proportion of harvested forest land will not be returned for reforestation over the next 5 to 10 years and will instead be converted to other land use.
D9.2.2 Contributors and drivers
The main contributors to emissions and sequestration in the LULUCF sector are clearing land, planting land or forestry management (Figure D.39).
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