Impact of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme on forest management

Authors: Piers Maclaren, Bruce Manley, Clare Andrews, Cameron Branch, Rebecca Coles, Blair Cooper, Tim Crone, Joseph Dakin, Hamish Dennis, Leslie Dowling, Cameron Eyre, Sally Haddon, Josh Lee, Jamahl Mannan, William Marshall, Sarah Orton, Daniel Phillips, Lawrie Scott, Aaron Smith, Cong Xu, Chen Yang
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2008, Issue N.Z.J.For. 53(3) 2008, pp 33-39, Nov 2008
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

---

Abstract: We evaluated the impact of carbon trading on forest management. Questions examined were: whether to plant at all; if so, what species and silviculture to use; and when to harvest. Revenue from annual sales of carbon units greatly increases the profitability of all species and regimes. Indeed, if the price remains at $30 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent then nearly all forestry investments - regardless of site quality - are capable of paying $3000/ha for the land and still achieving an 8% real rate of return or higher.

---