Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Warning on obstacles to reaching emissions goals

Updated at 6:05 pm on 15 March 2010

An iwi adviser on global warming is warning of growing difficulties for New Zealand in dealing with its greenhouse gas emissions.

Federation of Maori Authorities spokesperson on climate change, Harvey Bell, says New Zealand must plant between 640,000 and 1 million hectares of trees by 2020 to meet the Government's least ambitious climate change goals.

However, Mr Bell says that is unlikely, given that forestry generates a return on investment of between 2% and 4%.

To make matters worse, huge emissions payments will fall due when trees are harvested later.

Mr Bell says he could not in all honesty advise Maori landowners to plant trees.

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