The devastating deforestation of Queensland highlights the urgent need for natural capital policies to be introduced, with reports revealing an area of more than 43,000 Suncorp Stadiums was cleared in just one year.
The rate of land clearing in Queensland is showing few signs of slowing down after the latest Statewide Landcover and Trees Survey (SLATS) reported more than 323,600 hectares of forest and bushland were cut down and cleared between 2021-22, including almost 12,500 hectares of endangered or threatened regional ecosystems. The alarming report highlights the need for ensuring compliance with vegetation protection laws and for new and improved policies to reduce the clearing of native vegetation.
The latest SLATS data promotes the urgency for economic opportunities that incentivise native forest protection and restoration, to be made available to landholders. With its rich and unique biodiversity Queensland is well-positioned to lead Australia’s nature capital market which will reduce net emissions, keep trees standing and provide ongoing, sustainable income for farmers.
“The need for action is now. The Queensland government has already made the positive start of putting forward the Avoided Reclearing Carbon Method as one solution to rewarding landholders for reducing clearing on previously cleared lands,” ACBF chair Dr Ken Henry said.
“However, there is an urgent need for an immediate implementation of natural capital initiatives to incentivise landholders to preserve Queensland’s forests, not destroy them.”
While there is some slowing in the rate of deforestation, clearing is not reducing at the same pace as previous years and casts a perilous trajectory for the habitats of the state’s iconic and endangered species, such as koalas and gliders.
“Landholders aren’t being presented with a meaningful incentive to maintain vegetation and bushland on their properties which is why we need an urgent adoption of natural capital initiatives,” Dr Henry said.
“The most recent SLATS data shows the majority of landholders are doing the right thing, though also highlights the need for more stringent regulation to hold to account those that are clearing irresponsibly or illegally.”