Protection and Restoration of Victoria's Natural Carbon Sinks
$40,000 | December 2022
What do the Victorian Forest Alliance do?
The Victorian Forest Alliance (VFA) mission is to protect and restore native forests in Victoria for climate, biodiversity and First Nations justice. They recognise that these forests are under threat of ecological collapse from climate change, furthered by an unsustainable logging industry. They have empowered communities to unite and form a strong and effective alliance. Currently, VFA have over 30 member groups across the state and this project draws on that reach and knowledge within these community groups to trigger action aimed at the Victorian Parliament.
What is the ‘Protection and Restoration of Victoria's Natural Carbon Sinks’ project and why is this work important?
Recently, VFA commissioned a report investigating the carbon pollution generated by the native forest logging industry. Native forest logging in Victoria produces significant greenhouse gas emissions, generating around 3 million tonnes of carbon (CO2e) each year. This is equivalent to the emissions of 700,000 medium sized cars, or close to two times the emissions of Victoria’s domestic aviation sector.
This report is the first time that the emissions from Victoria’s forestry sector have been calculated and shared publicly. If logging were to end now, Victoria’s forests could absorb around 90 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere by 2050 - this is equivalent to $3.1 billion in carbon sequestration services.
The recent announcements by Victoria’s state government to achieve net zero by 2045 and a 75-80% emissions reduction target by 2035 presents an opportunity to leverage the latest findings of the carbon report to drive down emissions. By ending native forest logging now instead of 2030, Victoria could prevent up to 14 million tonnes of carbon from being emitted. Protecting forests is a low-cost, effective and immediate way to achieve both emissions reduction and to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
How is Groundswell supporting this work?
The VFA’s current project goal is to protect and restore forests across Victoria which are natural carbon sinks. An essential aspect of their campaign is a strong social media strategy and the running of community events to raise the profile of forests. Building from the evidence of the carbon report they will utilise digital and in-peron strategies to push for action in reaction to the findings of the report.
Campaign goals, as supported by Groundswell, include:
Produce an effective and strong social media campaign, campaigning for immediate protection of forests to reduce emissions and protect carbon sinks over the next 6 months.
Host engaging events, inclusive of forums and community actions to highlight the report and connect forest protection and the community of activists in the forest movement to the broader climate movement.
Place pressure on decision makers to include forest emissions as a critical part of achieving emissions reductions for the state.
Bring forward the end of logging by 2024.
This funding will support the continuation of the vital work of both their social media and events/fundraising coordinator roles to achieve these objectives. These roles are essential for consistency in messaging, engagement and inclusivity from the public to participate in carrying out the on-the-ground, grassroots campaigning of the VFA.