Modelling and data

Charts and data for 2021 final advice: Contains the underlying data for all of the figures in the final advice in Ināia tonu nei: a low emissions future for Aotearoa.

We used the ENZ model to understand the scale of the emissions reductions that are achievable in each sector over time. ENZ is an economy-wide model that covers all the main emitting sectors in Aotearoa – energy, industry, transport, agriculture, forestry and waste.  

We are providing the first public version of the ENZ model. ENZ is programmed in Microsoft Excel. The version being made available is pre-programmed with input assumptions for our final advice on the first three emissions budgets for Aotearoa. This includes the current policy reference case, scenarios to 2050, demonstration and alternative paths to 2035, and sensitivity analyses.  

For access to the ENZ model, please download, read and sign the ENZ license agreement (PDF 113 KB) and return to us at hello@climatecommission.govt.nz. We will then provide you with a copy of the model through email. The model is 17 MB, so please provide an email account that allows emails of this size. 

We do have other information to help you understand ENZ. 

• This webinar outlines our modelling approach, and this webinar outlines the results of ENZ modelling. 
• Emissions in New Zealand (ENZ) model technical manual (PDF 670 KB) - describes how to use ENZ and the model functionality
• Modelling energy costs and prices (PDF 670 KB) – A technical note supporting Ināia tonu nei describes the method for modelling energy costs and prices.
• Spreadsheets containing the ENZ modelling assumptions and results are below under ‘Scenarios and paths dataset’.
   

We used the C-PLAN model to understand the overall impact of our recommended emissions budgets on GDP and the economy. 

C-PLAN is a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model that takes data on the interactions between economic actors to understand how the structure of the economy could be affected by policy. 

C-PLAN is programmed in GAMS. This is a specialised modelling software typically used for CGE models. Users will need experience and knowledge running this software. 

We are providing two public versions of this model for those that have expressed interest in it. These are now available pre-programmed with input assumptions for our final advice and calibrated to the current policy reference case in our final advice.  

1. The base package: this is a source-code only version of the model. This version does not contain all the data required to run the model. It is for people interested in the source code. 

2. The full package: this holds the source code, underlying data to run the model and input assumptions for our draft advice. To access this, you will need to provide us with proof that you hold a license for the GTAP 10 database. You will also need to hold a license for the GAMS programming language. The Commission is not able to provide technical assistance in running the model.

For access to either of these, please download, read and sign the C-PLAN license agreement (PDF 92 KB) and return to us at hello@climatecommission.govt.nz. We will then provide you with a copy of the model through email. 

We do have other information to help you understand C-PLAN. 

• Documentation of the C-PLAN model (PDF 1 MB) 
• Supplementary material for the C-PLAN model (PDF 243 KB) outlining how to run the model 
• This webinar provides an overview of how the C-PLAN model works. 
• Spreadsheets containing the C-PLAN modelling assumptions and results are below under ‘Macroeconomic modelling results and dataset’. 

We used the DIM-E model to understand effects on employment across different sectors, regions, demographic groups and socioeconomic groups. DIM-E is a microsimulation model that takes the economy-wide outputs of C-PLAN and combines them with more granular data from Stats NZ.  

We are providing the source code for DIM-E. DIM-E is programmed in the specialised modelling software SAS. Users will need experience and knowledge running this software. 

To run the model, you will need to organise access to the Stats NZ Data Lab. There are limitations on obtaining access to the Stats Data Lab, which can be found on the Stats NZ website. You can also modify the model to run with alternative data sources, in line with the model license agreement. 

For access to the DIM-E model, please download, read and sign the DIM-E license agreement (PDF 89 KB) and return to us at hello@climatecommission.govt.nz. We will then provide you with a copy of the model through email. 

We do have other information to help you understand DIM-E. 

• Documentation of the DIM-E model (PDF 2.3 MB) 
• This webinar provides an overview of how the DIM-E model works. 
• Spreadsheets containing the DIM-E modelling results are below under ‘Distributional impacts (employment) modelling results’. 

ENZ scenarios dataset for 2021 final advice (4.2 MB) 
Contains modelling results for the Current Policy Reference case, long-term scenarios to 2050, demonstration path and alternative paths to 2035. 

ENZ assumptions and inputs for 2021 final advice (449 KB) 
Contains scenario assumptions and detailed modelling inputs which were used to create the scenarios and paths and undertake sensitivity analysis in the ENZ model. 

ENZ Tiwai sensitivity dataset for 2021 final advice (1 MB).
Contains modelling results from sensitivity analysis of the continued operation of the aluminium smelter at Tiwai Point beyond 2024.

C-PLAN GDP results and sensitivities for 2021 final advice (PDF 173 KB)
Contains GDP results from the C-PLAN model runs of the demonstration path and sensitivity analyses that we drew on in our advice. 

C-PLAN input assumptions for 2021 final advice (PDF 566 KB)
Contains detailed technical assumptions which were used in the C-PLAN model.

C-PLAN results for the demonstration path for 2021 final advice (PDF 3 MB)
Contains all results from the C-PLAN model runs of the demonstration path that we drew on in our advice.

C-PLAN results for slow EV uptake for 2021 final advice (PDF 3 MB)
Contains all results from the C-PLAN model runs of the demonstration path with slower uptake of electric vehicles.

C-PLAN results for slow farm practice change and slow EV uptake for 2021 final advice (PDF 1.2 MB)
Contains all results from the C-PLAN model runs of the demonstration path with slower farm practice change and slower uptake of electric vehicles.

Sensitivity analyses:

C-PLAN results for Tiwai sensitivity for 2021 final advice (2.8 MB)
Contains all results from C-PLAN model runs sensitivity where Tiwai Point aluminium smelter doesn’t close before 2050

C-PLAN results for methanol sensitivity for 2021 final advice (2.8 MB)
Contains all results from C-PLAN model runs sensitivity where methanol production in Aotearoa ends by 2030

C-PLAN results for low GDP and Popn sensitivity for 2021 final advice (2.8 MB)
Contains all results from C-PLAN model runs sensitivity where GDP and population in Aotearoa are lower

C-PLAN results for high GDP and Popn sensitivity for 2021 final advice (2.8 MB)
Contains all results from C-PLAN model runs sensitivity where GDP and population in Aotearoa are higher

C-PLAN results for low oil price sensitivity for 2021 final advice (2.8 MB)
Contains all results from C-PLAN model runs sensitivity where global oil prices are lower

C-PLAN results for high oil price sensitivity for 2021 final advice (2.8 MB)
Contains all results from C-PLAN model runs sensitivity where global oil prices are higher

C-PLAN results for low intl emissions price sensitivity for 2021 final advice (2.8 MB)
Contains all results from C-PLAN model runs sensitivity where emissions prices in the rest of the world are lower

C-PLAN results for high intl emissions price sensitivity for 2021 final advice (2.8 MB)
Contains all results from C-PLAN model runs sensitivity where emissions prices in the rest of the world are higher

DIM-E results dataset for 2021 final advice PDF 234 KB): Contains results from the demonstration path from the distributional impacts employment model (DIM-E) that we drew on in our final advice.  

Motu – Expected Distributional Impacts Climate Change Policy on Employment (7.4 MB): A working paper by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research outlining the methodology and the full set of results from the DIM-E modelling. 

Note that a major input to this work is modelling results from C-PLAN. The C-PLAN input assumptions are linked above. 

Electricity market modelling datasets for 2021 final advice (.xlsx 452 KB): Contains raw results from the demonstration path and sensitivity analyses from the electricity market modelling, a summary of inputs, and scenario and sensitivity descriptions.

Please note that this modelling exercise was complementary to ENZ, our main modelling tool. The purpose was to draw further insight and validate the approach undertaken in ENZ.

NDC calculator for 2021 final advice (PDF 302 KB): Contains the data and calculations used to assess the compatibility of the current Nationally Determined Contribution with contributing to the global 1.5ᵒC effort. 

The spreadsheet has several primary functions: 

• Calculates the budget of allowed emissions for a given NDC target level in 2030
• Calculates the comparison NDC budgets of allowed emissions based on the modelled rates of reductions of different gases from the IPCC’s Special Report on 1.5ᵒC
• Calculates the implied target for 2030 on a comparable basis to the current NDC of any given NDC budget.

The calculator can use either the GWP values from the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report (AR4 values) or from the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). The methodologies used here are described in Chapter 13 of our 2021 Supporting Evidence. 

Our emissions budgets are informed by evidence from economic models. They have been developed by internationally renowned experts, and experts from Aotearoa and around the world reviewed them prior to the release of our draft advice. Our economic models are robust and fit for purpose.  

Expert reviewers said that they were “impressed by both the scope and detail of the modelling efforts, and believe that these provide a robust quantitative framework to support ambitious climate policy proposals for Aotearoa”. Our economy wide model C-PLAN was also described as being ‘best in class’. 

The reviews give us confidence that our models help us to produce the best possible evidence to support our emissions budgets.  

Since we released our draft advice, we have carried out sensitivity analysis as suggested by the experts. Details of this sensitivity analysis can be found in Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 of Ināia tonu nei: a low emissions future for Aotearoa.  

The reviews can be accessed here: 

Weitzel Vandyck Model Review.pdf  

Daigneault Model Review.pdf 

Stroombergen Model Review Part 1.pdf 

Stroombergen Model Review Part 2.pdf 

Hafstead Model Review Part 1.pdf

Hafstead Model Review Part 2.pdf