Costa Rica:

In May 2007, the government announced it was drawing up plans to be the first country to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero before 2030.

Emission reductions will focus on transport, farming, and industry. Another emphasis will be cleaning up fossil fuel power plants, which account for 4% of the country's electricity (78% comes from hydropower and, 18% from wind and geothermal power).

Using a programme funded by a gas tax, the government compensates landowners who growing trees, thereby absorbing carbon while protecting watersheds and wildlife habitat.

New Zealand:

New Zealand has recently set the target of becoming "the first truly sustainable nation on earth."

Prime Minister Helen Clark announced that her country will adopt an economy-wide programme to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions, with different economic sectors being gradually introduced into a national emissions trading programme that should be in effect fully by 2013.

Other commitments include an increase in renewable electricity to 90% by 2025 (up from 70% today), a major net increase in forest area, widespread introduction of electric vehicles, and a 50% reduction in transport-related emissions by 2040.