Our Ref: CO2 ASX Announce Media Release - Tas Govt Forest Study (329)
22 November 2011
ANNOUNCEMENT 329
Company Announcements Office
Australian Stock Exchange
Level 6 By ASX Online
20 Bridge Street Number of pages: 5
SYDNEY NSW 2000 (including this page)
Dear Sir
CO2 Australia Limited (a subsidiary of CO2 Group Limited,
ASX:COZ), has been appointed by the Tasmanian Government, to
undertake a Forest Carbon Study aimed at estimating the
volume of carbon currently stored in Tasmania's forest
estates.
The study is seen as a critical project for Tasmania,
particularly given the recent passage of the Commonwealth
Government's national carbon pricing legislation. It is also
evidence of CO2 Group's continued diversification of revenue
streams, the strength of its advisory services team and the
significant carbon project expertise that it has
developed.
The Company's CEO, Andrew Grant, said "As part of our
corporate strategy, we continue to broaden the range of
services our company offers. We are very pleased to have the
opportunity to be involved in this project, which leverages
off our strengths in the carbon advisory area. We have some
unique experience in forest carbon accounting and assessing
the commercial potential for forest carbon projects, all of
which align very well with the objectives of this study."
CO2 Group is well placed to deliver the project, with over
seven years' experience operating within domestic and
international carbon markets. CO2 Group is the country's
largest developer of reforestation- based carbon projects,
having developed over 22,000 hectares of dedicated carbon
plantings in Australia.
Carbon markets, including the recently passed carbon pricing
legislation, may offer significant economic opportunities for
Tasmania.
The government's Forest Carbon Study will provide an
independent, expert assessment of the volume of carbon
currently stored in Tasmania's forest estate, and our most
significant opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and increase carbon sequestration in our forest sector.
Importantly, the study will also look at opportunities for
Tasmania to monetise emission reductions in the forest
sector.
CO2 Group Limited
Level 11, 225 St Georges Terrace Perth W A 6000 Tel. 08 9321 4111 ABN 50 009 317 846
PO Box 7312 Cloisters Square Perth W A 6850 Fax. 08 9321 4411
www.co2australia.com.auThe government's media statement is attached.
Yours faithfully CO2 Group Limited
Harley Whitcombe
Company Secretary
For more information contact:
Elise Margaritis: Marketing and Communications Manager, CO2
Australia
03
9928 5111 or 0408 359 977 or
elise.margaritis@co2australia.com.au www.co2australia.com.au
Or
Sam Wallman, Six Degrees - 0405 399 430 or
sam.wallman@sixdegreesmedia.com.au
2
Government
Media
Statement
22 November, 2011
CASSY O'CONNOR MP
Minister for Climate Change
Researcher selected for groundbreaking forests study
The Minister for Climate Change, Cassy O'Connor today
announced
that CO2 Australia Limited as the successful consultant who
will carry out groundbreaking research into the carbon stored
in Tasmania's forests.
Ms O'Connor said C02 Australia is a widely-respected
reforestation- based carbon project developer with a diverse
client base that includes Woodside Energy, Origin Energy, the
Victorian and Western Australian Governments, Newmont Mining
and Qantas.
"Forests play a critical role in the carbon cycle and,
with soil, are one of the two major stores of terrestrial
carbon," she said.
"The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
makes it clear that better forest management and protection
is key to avoiding dangerous climate change.
"There are, however, significant gaps in our understanding,
as well as scientific dispute over the emissions and carbon
sequestration value of Australia's forest estate, and
this is particularly relevant to Tasmania.
"Funded through a Greens' initiative supported by Labor
in the 2010-
11 State Budget, this independent study is a critical project
for the
State, particularly given the recent passage of the
Commonwealth
Government's national carbon price scheme and the financial
opportunities associated with new carbon markets.
"Carbon markets, including the recently passed Clean Energy
Future package and Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI), can offer
major economic opportunities for Tasmania.
"This Government recognises that Australia's current emission
accounting rules, dictated by international agreements,
are
inadequate, in that they do not account for sequestration
across forest
types, forest management practices or for avoided
deforestation.
"There is vigorous scientific debate and a number of
points of difference on this important issue, which is why
the work to be undertaken by CO2 Australia in Tasmania is
both timely and necessary.
"The research to be undertaken by C02 Australia is an
Australian first that will give us a detailed and up-to-date
understanding of the amount of carbon stored in both private
and public forests.
"It will provide an independent assessment of the volume of
carbon currently stored in our forest estate, and identify
our most significant opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and increase carbon sequestration in the Tasmanian
landscape.
"Importantly, the Forest Carbon Study will also look at
future opportunities for forest management in Tasmania while
better enabling the state to monetize the value stored in our
forest carbon bank."
CO2 Australia's CEO, Andrew Grant, said the company was
pleased to be involved in the project.
"CO2 Australia has unique experience in forest carbon
accounting and assessing the realistic commercial potential
for forest carbon projects, all of which align very well with
the objectives of this study," he said.
The consultants will be supported in their work by an
independent
Steering Committee of three respected scientists - Professor
Jim Reid
from the University of Tasmania's School of Plant Science;
Professor Brendan Mackey from ANU, who is also a member of
the Federal Government's Independent Climate Commission; and
Professor Cris Brack, the inaugural Chair of Forestry at the
Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Ms O'Connor said $250,000 was allocated for the study in the
2011-
12 State Budget.
She will next week join the Deputy Premier, Bryan Green, and
a representative from CO2 Australia at a Forest Carbon Forum
at Parliament House in Hobart.
The forum will be held on November 30, and will look at the
carbon potential in Tasmania's native forests, as well as
international, national and local policy issues and
initiatives around carbon values and forest carbon
protection.
Contact:
Peter Wels: 6233 2757