Growing forests are called sinks because they absorb carbon dioxide. Trees convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into carbon stored in wood and the surrounding soil. Deforestation alters the carbon cycle by releasing this carbon back into the air. Recognising this, the Paris Agreement allows some emissions (sometimes referred to as sink credits) to be generated when new forests are established. The New Zealand government estimates that our forests absorb around 24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
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Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
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