To: Ministry for the Environment
Subject: Official Information Request – Ship Emissions, Sulphur Dioxide, Cloud Formation, and Acid Deposition

Hello,

I am requesting the following information under the Official Information Act 1982.

I am seeking any information held by the Ministry for the Environment relating to sulphur dioxide emissions from shipping, their conversion into sulphate aerosols, their role as cloud condensation nuclei, and any resulting impacts on rainfall acidity, cloud formation, rainfall intensity, or acid deposition (commonly referred to as acid rain) within New Zealand’s coastal or inland regions.

Please provide the following:

1. Monitoring, Modelling, and Data
Any monitoring data, modelling, assessments, or environmental measurements held by the Ministry relating to:

sulphur dioxide emissions from ships

conversion of sulphur dioxide into sulphate aerosols

formation of cloud condensation nuclei from sulphur compounds

impacts on cloud formation, cloud density, or rainfall intensity

rainfall acidity or acid deposition linked to maritime emissions

2. Internal or External Scientific Advice
Any internal or external reports, briefings, memos, scientific advice, or commissioned research relating to:

environmental impacts of sulphur dioxide or sulphate aerosols from ship exhaust

effects on soil chemistry, vegetation health, freshwater ecosystems, or coastal environments

any assessment of acid rain or acid deposition in New Zealand

3. Policy and Regulatory Considerations
Any documents, advice, or correspondence relating to whether sulphur dioxide emissions from shipping are considered within:

New Zealand’s air‑quality standards

national environmental reporting frameworks

maritime emissions policy settings

climate or atmospheric monitoring programmes

4. Inter‑Agency Correspondence
Any correspondence between the Ministry for the Environment and:

Maritime New Zealand

NIWA

Ministry of Transport

Environmental Protection Authority

relating to sulphur dioxide emissions, sulphate aerosol formation, cloud condensation nuclei, cloud‑seeding effects, rainfall acidity, or acid deposition.

5. Identified Gaps or Limitations
Any documents that identify gaps, limitations, or uncertainties in New Zealand’s monitoring, modelling, or regulatory oversight of sulphur dioxide emissions from shipping.

I am happy to receive the information electronically.

Yours faithfully,

Nigel Gray