KiC Advocacy
Open letter to the Minister on Climate Commission’s advice
Why taking the Climate Change Commission’s advice makes economic sense
December 2025
The Government has signalled it intends to make several changes to the climate change related policy architecture under urgency before the end of the year. A small working group of expert KiC members submitted an open letter to the Climate Change Minister, Prime Minister and others to express our concern.
The letter focuses on the Government’s response to the Climate Change Commission’s 2024 advice and its potential to weaken New Zealand’s climate ambition and economic prospects. Specifically, the decisions to (i) continue excluding international shipping and aviation from the 2050 long-lived gases target, (ii) reset the biogenic methane pathway to 14–24% by 2050, (iii) defer clarity on further reductions beyond 2050 and (iiii) reject the recommendation to strengthen net zero long-lived gas target to -20Mt CO2e by 2050
These decisions do not reflect the market realities New Zealand faces and the opportunity for economic growth climate action presents. They also fail to acknowledge the risk of worsening impact of climate on the country.
Kiwis in Climate welcomes the opportunity to meet with Government and officials to discuss pragmatic, investable pathways so that policy certainty is matched by delivery on the ground.
Photo by Aron Yigin @unsplash
