Pacific Island states have committed to ambitious targets to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels to generate electricity. The Cook Island’s commitment is to have 100% renewable generation by 2020, Samoa is also targeting 100%, but by 2025, and Tonga is seeking to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020.

As New Zealand joins with other countries to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it will come under increasing pressure from changing economic opportunities, potentially disruptive new technologies, natural resource constraints, and evolving social and political drivers.