Appendix 10 – Forestry is flawed because of harvested wood products, and that must be overhauled using first principles science about forestry emissions and removals. Intro Pull back the foliage of carbon accounting and there is a third elephant hiding and it may be the biggest of the three. It is definitely the most complex.... Continue Reading →
Appendix 11 – Setting the elephants free: One idea to solve New Zealand’s net zero carbon goal It is all very well fixing omissions and implementing the primary ways to reduce emissions (both of which should happen), but the ultimate aim is to get rid of the elephants by setting them free back into the... Continue Reading →
The 1950s Peaceful Resolution of Antarctic Conflict: How Mining An Old Policy Issue Reveals New International Agenda Setting Insights Antarctica The Antarctic Treaty (“Treaty”) ended half a century of escalating conflict, e.g. military activities and land claims. It was signed in the USA in 1959 during the Cold War by countries including the USA and... Continue Reading →
A comparative advantage analysis of risks and opportunities is required to ensure New Zealand firms operate at the productivity frontier. This means that policies and interventions need to extend to operationalising those comparative advantages (and mitigating any risks). Dynamic temporal first principles must be considered, not just a static snapshot. Key points: If only today’s... Continue Reading →
As part of the Tomorrow's Schools Review, I propose a new curriculum: Kia Angitu Ki A Koe. This is based on defining success and researching the needs of the future, and is followed by some further environmental changes to put the awe back in education. Kia angitu ki a koe – success be with you.... Continue Reading →
The Discussion Document on New Zealand's proposed Zero Carbon Bill is good, but the bill could easily be sub-standard rather than world-leading. There are six matters which should have further consideration: The poor title of the Bill (if adopted and / or enacted) may damage NZ’s credibility Title of bills and acts are important –... Continue Reading →
The vast majority of the detail, findings and recommendations in the Productivity Commission's draft report on NZ's low-emissions economy are sensible. However, there are five key matters which require further thought, as summarised below (and discussed thereafter): Too much emphasis is placed on 2050 and not enough on subsequent periods. Forestry needs to be better... Continue Reading →
New Zealand often punches above its weight on important international matters. Why, then, when the UN adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, are the SDGs not very well known in New Zealand? Yes, New Zealand also formally adopted the SDGs. Yes, there was a one day forum in Wellington in April 2018. Yes, the goals... Continue Reading →
Chris Boxall 