Aotearoa’s Climate Targets: Are We On Track? | Webinar Recording

Presented by Geoff Simmons, Chief Economist at the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

Geoff is a serious economist, relaxed public speaker, into improv theatre, and the love of his life is tramping.
His talk included the thorny question of whether New Zealand is on track to meet its climate targets, discussed NDC’s, and included his strong opinions about the role of forestry in New Zealand’s responsibilities to the Paris Agreement. Geoff warned that he follows the line of the Parliamentary Commissioner, but he welcomed challenging questions after his 30 minute presentation.

DATE: FRIDAY 8 AUGUST, 2025
TIME: 7 PM until around 8:30 PM

Geoff is the chief economist at the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. He has worked as an economist for the Productivity Commission, the UK Home Office and New Zealand Treasury and served as general manager at Toi Mai Workforce Development Council and the Morgan Foundation. Geoff has also co-authored four books, two of which included a focus on environmental economics issues.

Geoff recommended a new report from the Climate Commission as optional pre-reading. It was released on 25 July, so it was very up-to-date at the time of the webinar.