OIA Request - Integrated Feasibility Analysis: Net Zero Under GDP/Population Growth
Hayden made this Official Information request to Climate Change Commission
Climate Change Commission did not have the information requested.
From: Hayden
Kia ora,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request:
1. The integrated analysis demonstrating how New Zealand simultaneously achieves:
Net zero emissions (excluding biogenic methane) by 2050
~2% annual GDP growth (Treasury/IMF projections)
Population growth to ~6 million (Stats NZ)
If no integrated analysis exists, confirm this and identify who approved these targets without one.
2. The per capita emissions pathway. Current: ~16 tonnes CO2e. Required by 2050: near zero (non-biogenic). Population increasing 13%. GDP increasing. What's the physical mechanism? If no pathway analysis exists, confirm this.
3. Names and roles of officials who signed off on simultaneous achievement of these targets.
I can recognise when institutional planning contradicts physical constraints. I see the same pattern here—multiple agencies publishing targets that assume independent achievability without integrated feasibility analysis.
I'm not asking for policy justification. I'm asking for physics.
Ngā mihi,
Hayden
Southland, NZ
From: OIA
Climate Change Commission
Kia ora Hayden
This email acknowledges receipt of your request, below.
We are managing this request under the Official Information Act 1982. Your request was received on 12 January 2026, and as such, the latest you can expect to hear from us is by 13 February 2026, along with the information to which you are entitled. We will be in touch with you if we need to clarify any aspect of your request, or if it is necessary to extend the time frame for response.
The reference number for your request is OIA 2026-001. Please use this number if you need to contact us about your request in the meantime.
Please note that the Commission proactively releases its responses to requests made under the Act. This is to help ensure others can also have access to this information. As such, your request, and our response, may be published on our website with your name and contact details redacted to protect your privacy.
Ngā mihi
Sandra
Sandra Kelman | Senior Advisor, Government Services
M 021 190 3972
E [email address]
W climatecommission.govt.nz
Please note that (generally) I do not work Tuesdays & Fridays
show quoted sections
From: OIA
Climate Change Commission
Kia ora Hayden
I am writing about your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request of
10 January 2026 for the information in the email, below.
Part of the information you have requested is not held by us but is
believed to be held by the Minister of Climate Change. Section 14 of the
Act requires us to transfer your request to that agency in these
circumstances.
It is important to note that the Commission is not responsible for setting
targets, nor does it approve or "sign off" on them. The Commission’s role
is to inform the Government’s decision-making in this regard.
I am therefore notifying you that we have transferred the part of your
request in relation to the "names and roles of officials who signed off on
simultaneous achievement of these targets" to the Minister of Climate
Change’s office. You will hear from them directly, in due course.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of this transfer by
the Office of the Ombudsman.
The relevant details can be found on their website at:
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
We will be responding to the other aspects of your request and will do so
on or before 13 February 2026
Nga mihi
Sandra
Sandra Kelman | Senior Advisor, Government Services
M 021 190 3972
E [email address]
W climatecommission.govt.nz
Please note that (generally) I do not work Tuesdays & Fridays
show quoted sections
From: Simon Watts (MIN)
Good morning Hayden,
Thank you for your email in which you submitted an Official Information
Act request as follows:
the "names and roles of officials who signed off on simultaneous
achievement of these targets"
Minister Watts is considering your request in accordance with the Act, and
you can expect a response by 20 February 2026.
Kind regards,
Office of Hon Simon Watts
Minister of Climate Change
Minister for Energy
Minister of Local Government
Minister of Revenue
Email: [1][email address] | Website: [2]www.beehive.govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
From: OIA <[email address]>
Sent: Thursday, 22 January 2026 12:27 PM
To: [FOI #33480 email]
Subject: RE: Official Information request - OIA Request - Integrated
Feasibility Analysis: Net Zero Under GDP/Population Growth
Kia ora Hayden
I am writing about your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request of
10 January 2026 for the information in the email, below.
Part of the information you have requested is not held by us but is
believed to be held by the Minister of Climate Change. Section 14 of the
Act requires us to transfer your request to that agency in these
circumstances.
It is important to note that the Commission is not responsible for setting
targets, nor does it approve or "sign off" on them. The Commission’s role
is to inform the Government’s decision-making in this regard.
I am therefore notifying you that we have transferred the part of your
request in relation to the "names and roles of officials who signed off on
simultaneous achievement of these targets" to the Minister of Climate
Change’s office. You will hear from them directly, in due course.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of this transfer by
the Office of the Ombudsman.
The relevant details can be found on their website at:
[3]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
We will be responding to the other aspects of your request and will do so
on or before 13 February 2026
Nga mihi
Sandra
Sandra Kelman | Senior Advisor, Government Services
M 021 190 3972
E [email address]
W climatecommission.govt.nz
Please note that (generally) I do not work Tuesdays & Fridays
show quoted sections
Things to do with this request
- Add an annotation (to help the requester or others)
- Download a zip file of all correspondence (note: this contains the same information already available above).
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