Green seven: climate czars appointed by Govt

The Government has appointed the seven people who will shape climate change policy for the next half-decade.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw announced the climate change commissioners yesterday.

The commission was created by the Zero Carbon Act and will provide independent advice for governments on how to meet the emissions reductions targets put into law by the act, with regular ‘‘emissions budgets’’ set for governments to follow if they wish.

While it will have no formal power the commission will be able to independently set out what it believes governments need to do to lower emissions.

The team is to be led by former Reserve Bank chair and University of Canterbury vicechancellor Dr Rod Carr, an announcement made earlier this year. He will serve a five-year term.

Joining him is Nga¯i Tahu kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai as deputy commissioner and five other commissioners, who will stay for terms of between two and five years.

Included are Dr Harry Clark, the head of New Zealand’s Agricultural Research Centre; Victoria University Professor James Renwick, one of the most visible and colourful climate scientists in the country; Dr Judith Lawrence, a climate change research fellow with government experience; Motu economist Catherine Leining; and Massey University professor Nicola Shadbolt, who has extensive experience in agribusiness.

The commissioners were whittled down from around 200 nominations and a short list of 100, and were selected by Cabinet.

Every political party in Parliament was consulted, according to a spokesman for Shaw.

Shaw said the issue of climate change was ‘‘too big for politics’’ and the commission would protect climate policy from political mood swings.