[16] On 8 October 2019 Carr was appointed Chair-designate to the commission to serve for five years in the role from the passing of the Climate Change Response (Zero-Carbon) Amendment Act 2019.

[17][18] Carr acknowledged that the commission would only have recommendatory powers over climate change policy, but will be able to offer advice that needs to be transparent, evidence-based and developed after consultation so that it "puts the Government of the day in the position to have the courage to make those tough choices and for the country to be carried with them.

"[20] Carr signalled the need for change if New Zealand wanted to achieve its climate targets and that the goals of the commission had been received positively by two major sector groups Dairy NZ[21] and the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association (PEPANZ).

There was a middle ground that required New Zealanders to set "ambitious but realistic targets, that we describe pathways which are plausible and credible, anchored in our reality, evidence-based, data-rich, and that we coach and encourage each other to play our part in what will be heroic action.

[31] In two interviews on Radio New Zealand, one with Kathryn Ryan,[32] the other with Corin Dann,[33] Carr clarified the process and timeline of the proposed changes.

"[36] In April 2023, the Commission shared a draft document with proposed advice and recommendations for the New Zealand Government to consider if the country was to achieve the second emissions budget for 2026–2030.

[37] Carr acknowledged that there had been some "momentum from the Government's first emissions reduction plan" but there was a need to "broaden, strengthen, and accelerate action so the country can meet its climate change objectives."

"[38] In his chair's message prefacing the report, Carr claimed that managing issues around land used for forest was necessary to reduce the risk of "slash, wildfires, storm damage, and diseased and dying trees" and to realise the effects this has had on Māori communities within the forestry sector.

He suggested this was about "upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi principles, the unique cultural, economic, social, and environmental considerations for tangata whenua, and the need for Iwi/Māori to play an integral part in any conversation about the future of forests."

The chair's message concluded: "Investing in Iwi/Māori will give Aotearoa New Zealand the best chance to reach our 2050 climate change targets.

Accelerating an understanding of mātauranga Māori and increasing collaboration with Iwi/Hapū will lead to more locally relevant and enduring climate change solutions.

"[39] Kate Nicol-Williams from 1 News also noted that Carr had concerns about the government [rewarding] "sequestration in forests above gross emission reductions", and the advice to the government in addressing these concerns and other issues, was laid out later in the article with a list of the key recommendations to meet "2050 targets which include having net zero emissions of greenhouse gasses except organically caused methane and 24 to 47% less organically caused methane.