Gasification Australia

" Environment policies that move away from strictly sectorial issues to incorperate broad social  conciderations are the most likely to make a lasting impact."

Global Environment Report 2.UNEP [United Nations Environment Program]

Central to our business philosophy is the high value of biodiversity. The restoration of regional ecosystems for long term benefit, can also provide sustainable fuel production. It is quite clear in the debate centred around climate change, that our impact on the planet [particularly forest ecosystems] needs to be re-addressed. Two element come into play:

1. Loss and degradation of habitat

2. Fragmentation of habitat

We see the potential for the combined economics of carbon, energy and wider understanding of biodiversity processes to drive revegetation schemes, with particular focus on linking fragmented areas for enhanced biodiversity outcomes.

In our view forestry in modern times in many parts of the world; including developed countries, has looked more akin to mining (resource extraction) rather than resource management. The economic drivers for these practices have come from assigning no value to biodiversity and only valuing end-use commodities in a consumer-driven market.

This outlook MUST be not only stopped but reversed. The same key drivers that transform end-use commodities in a consumer-driven market, can also drive broader social obligations that in the future will account for tangible gains to land holders, industry, adjacent communities and the wider society.

We feel sustainable native forestry from revegetated landscapes with an emphasis on biodiversity can deliver social outcomes in the form of;

• - Employment opportunities particularly in regional areas
• - Baseload energy (significant assistance for energy independence on a regional and national scale)
• - Renewable material resource base for manufacturing
• - Greater robustness and reliability of farming food systems (soil capacity and fertility)
• - Significant carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation
• - Improved ecosystem services for water and nutrient cycles with emphasis on the albedo effect -cloud formation for increasing rain frequency
• - Abatement of biodiversity loss

Our vision and services are tied to these agendas because our planet and its population are unquestionably at a critical threshold and real pragmatic solutions are needed urgently.