The state government says it will be business as usual for native forest logging in Tasmania after Australia signed a declaration to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
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The declaration was signed at the United Nation's Climate Change Conference in Glasgow which in part commits the country to efforts to forest conservation and sustainable commodity production and consumption.
The pledge was signed by 124 countries.
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The Greens and environmentalists have taken this as a step towards a ban on native forest logging by 2030.
But the Liberals and the state's peak forest products body have claimed this is a misrepresentation of the declaration's intent.
Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said by Prime Minister Scott Morrison signing the declaration, Australia was committed to halting forest loss and investing in restoration.
"This means the Gutwein Government needs to act and end the unscientific madness of native forest logging, before 2030," she said.
Resources Minister Guy Barnett said Tasmania had not followed deforestation practices on public land for decades.
He said harvesting in state forests was sustainably managed.
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"The rest of the world is following Tasmania's approach," Mr Barnett said.
"We welcome the announcement. We're way ahead of the game."
Tasmanian Forest Products Association chief executive Nick Steel said timber harvesting operations in Tasmania did not result in deforestation as all areas harvested were regenerated to ensure no net loss over time in forested area.
He said the end of native forest logging in Tasmania would push demand for hardwood offshore and could contribution to deforestation in some places.
"Already furniture makers in WA are seeking alternate supplies to Jarrah from Indonesian rainforest timber," he said.
"If we are serious about being part of the solution to deforestation globally, rather than contribute to the problem, we must increase, not decrease, the ability of Australians to source timber locally.
Former Greens leader Bob Brown said Australia had more than two million hectares of tree plantations which was enough to meet the country's wood needs.
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Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
