Pacific island countries (PICs) are among the first and worst
affected by climate change.At the same time,their own green-
house gas emissions are minute on a global scale.Yet,even if
greenhouse gas reductions in small island states – in the Pacific
and beyond – will not be felt globally,they are important for two
reasons:First,every greenhouse gas reduction counts:a ton of
carbon dioxide saved is a ton of carbon dioxide saved.Second,and
more importantly,small island states seek to lead by example and
demonstrate to larger emitters that reductions are feasible – not
least to gain credibility and moral leverage in the global climate
change negotiations [e.g., 1,2].
The energy sector offers the biggest opportunity for PICs to
reduce their greenhouse gas emissions,since almost all of their
greenhousegasemissionsarefromfossilfuels imported for power