Rod Carr (administrator)
Roderick Marshall Carr | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1959 New Zealand |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, executive, academic, climate change commissioner |
| Years active | –present |
| Known for | Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canterbury; Chair of the Climate Change Commission; Chairman of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand board |
Roderick Marshall Carr (born 1959) is a prominent New Zealand entrepreneur and executive. He concluded his tenure as vice-chancellor of the University of Canterbury in 2019 and has held the position of chairman for the board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Additionally, Carr serves on the boards of Lyttelton Port Company, Taranaki Investment Management, and Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce. In 2019, he was named Chair-designate of the Climate Change Commission, a role confirmed for a five-year duration under the provisions of the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act.
Carr has been legally blind from birth.
Banking
Carr’s career in banking includes senior leadership roles at both the Bank of New Zealand and National Australia Bank, alongside several appointments within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
Jade Software Corporation
Carr’s first foray into the technology industry was through his management role at Jade Software Corporation.
University of Canterbury
From 2009 until January 2019, Carr served as vice chancellor at the University of Canterbury. During this timeframe, student enrolment figures (EFTS) decreased from 15,624 in 2009 to 14,070 by 2018, while academic staff numbers remained relatively stable at approximately 770 FTE. The university’s overall revenue increased from $284 million to $380 million, with net assets growing from $709 million to in excess of $1.4 billion. A major priority under Carr’s leadership was guiding the institution’s recovery following the February 2011 Canterbury earthquake, which involved managing a $1.2 billion reconstruction effort supported by a $260 million capital injection from the Crown. In his concluding report, Carr highlighted substantial structural reforms made post-earthquake to enhance resilience and foster growth.
Establishment
The Climate Change Commission operates as a Crown entity that offers independent and evidence-based guidance to the New Zealand Government regarding climate policy for Aotearoa. On 8 October 2019, Carr was appointed Chair-designate for a five-year term pursuant to the Climate Change Response (Zero-Carbon) Amendment Act 2019. While the commission’s authority is advisory in nature, its recommendations are intended to be transparent, evidence-driven, and consultative to support informed and bold governmental decision-making. Climate Change Minister James Shaw underscored the commission’s vital role in facilitating New Zealand’s transition to low emissions and endorsed Carr’s leadership as essential for maintaining independence and credibility. Carr emphasized the imperative for change to achieve climate objectives, noting positive feedback from significant sectors including Dairy NZ and the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association (PEPANZ).
Review of New Zealand's commitments under the Paris Agreement
On 23 April 2020, Shaw commissioned the commission to assess New Zealand’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, stressing extensive consultation with "iwi/hapū/Māori, industry representatives, technical specialists, interest groups, and sector leaders." Carr highlighted the commission’s responsibility in public education and engagement through webinars while maintaining political impartiality and supporting government leadership. The commission offers strategic advice grounded in the understanding that realizing a "climate-resilient, low-emissions Aotearoa" requires profound economic and societal transformation beyond mere policy adjustments. He pointed out New Zealand’s notably high per capita greenhouse gas emissions and emphasized the need for lifestyle adaptations. The commission advocates for establishing "ambitious but achievable targets," presenting credible pathways based on evidence and promoting collaborative efforts toward effective climate action.
Response to the National Climate Change Risk Assessment
During a 2020 interview, Carr underscored the imperative for New Zealanders to modify their lifestyles following the inaugural National Climate Change Risk Assessment. He highlighted that political measures must be grounded in scientific evidence and foster inclusivity to motivate widespread engagement by clearly presenting both obstacles and opportunities. Carr commended several major corporations for proactively managing climate risks and acknowledged the agricultural sector’s increasing awareness and innovation, despite apprehensions about altering long-established methods. He called for enhanced funding in agricultural research, emphasizing New Zealand’s role as a prosperous nation to lead by example and advocate for equity in global climate initiatives.
Guidance on Consultation Documents 2021
Prior to the Climate Change Commission’s draft consultation on emissions budgets, Carr pointed out New Zealand’s disproportionate emissions relative to its population size and its historical advantage gained from a carbon-intensive economy. He maintained that New Zealand must pursue deeper emission cuts than developing countries and warned that relying solely on afforestation would be insufficient.
Following the January 2021 release of the Draft Advice, Carr declared: "The climate science is unequivocal, the policy direction is established, and urgent climate action is imperative." He characterized the proposals as "ambitious yet attainable." Minister for Climate Change James Shaw endorsed the report, expressing confidence in New Zealand’s capacity to lead a transition toward net zero. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described it as a viable roadmap for a thriving low-emissions economy. Carr urged swift engagement from government bodies, industry, and agriculture while clarifying policy timelines during media discussions.
The Commission’s final recommendations were submitted in May 2021 and published in June. Carr reiterated that transformative change is both necessary and achievable with current technologies, stressing the importance of affordability and immediacy: "Ināia tonu nei–the time is now." Prior to this release, he outlined essential changes required to foster a resilient and prosperous economy. At a June agricultural conference, Carr cautioned farmers to adopt improved practices or risk international consequences; however, some farmers argued that the proposed methane reduction targets by 2030 were economically impractical.
Advice Documents for the New Zealand Government 2023
In April 2023, the Commission issued a draft report proposing advice to help the New Zealand Government meet its second emissions budget covering 2026–2030. Carr acknowledged progress made through the Government's initial emissions reduction plan but stressed the necessity to "expand, intensify, and hasten efforts" to fulfill climate objectives. The consultation sought to pinpoint urgent priority actions critical for achieving the 2026–2030 emissions targets.
In his chair’s statement, Carr emphasized that managing forestry land is vital for mitigating risks from wildfires, storms, and tree diseases—issues significantly affecting Māori communities involved in the sector. He highlighted the importance of honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and ensuring active participation of Iwi/Māori in forestry-related decisions. Investing in Iwi/Māori capacity and incorporating mātauranga Māori were presented as essential strategies for delivering regionally relevant and enduring climate solutions aligned with 2050 goals.
Journalist Marc Daalder reported that the draft underscored simplifying consenting procedures to facilitate infrastructure development for renewable power generation and enhanced grid networks. The report also discussed balancing pollution reductions against carbon capture through extensive pine plantations. Carr questioned the long-term viability of depending on tree planting to compensate for fossil fuel emissions, noting fossil fuels emit ancient carbon while trees provide only temporary carbon storage.
Kate Nicol-Williams from 1 News highlighted Carr’s reservations about prioritizing forest carbon sequestration over actual emission reductions. The recommendations called for achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050—excluding biogenic methane—and reducing biogenic methane emissions by between 24% and 47%.
On Radio New Zealand with Kathryn Ryan, Carr recognized that emissions had stabilized but emphasized the necessity of a sustained downward trend in gross emissions. He advocated reforming the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme to shift emphasis away from primarily rewarding sequestration toward incentivizing gross emission cuts. Regarding electricity generation, Carr supported maintaining a diverse energy mix backed by sufficient funding, streamlined regulatory processes, and skilled execution. He concluded that although government initiatives are underway, the Commission insists on accelerating efforts with greater urgency.