New Zealand too reliant on tree planting to meet net zero emissions targets, experts warn

Tree plantations in New Zealand. The country’s climate advisory commission says its reliance on tree planting to cut emissions means ambitious targets will not be met. Photograph: georgeclerk/Getty Images

New Zealand’s heavy reliance on planting trees to offset carbon pollution threatens to torpedo the country’s ambitious plans to reach net zero emissions by 2050, according to warnings from the body advising the government on its climate policy direction.

The independent Climate Commission published draft guidance on Wednesday that – when finalised later this year – must be considered by New Zealand’s leaders as they draw up their next suite of plans to meet the country’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.