Last year at New York Climate Week, our CEO and founder Carmen Vicelich shared the stage with Henk Rogers, the renowned computer game guru, founder of Tetris, and global advocate for renewable energy. During the event, Carmen invited him to New Zealand to connect with other changemakers.

Today, Generate Zero was proud to co-host a game-changing sustainability event with global thought leaders Henk Rogers, Amanda Ellis, Rod Drury, Steve Jurkovich, Blair Turnbull, and Carmen Vicelich, discussing the acceleration of renewable energy in New Zealand.

Henk Rogers told us about his fascinating journey, from founding The Tetris Company through to his current game-changing work in sustainability and renewable energy. Henk is the founder of ten companies and non-profits focused on renewable energy. After a near-fatal health scare in 2005, he founded the Blue Planet Foundation to promote renewable energy policies in Hawaii. In 2021, he established the Blue Planet Alliance to assist island communities affected by climate change in transitioning to 100% renewable energy.

Hawaii is achieving its renewable targets through increasing solar energy, expanding solar farms and promoting residential solar installations to harness Hawaii's abundant sunlight. Hawaii is also Investing in battery technology and other energy storage systems to store renewable energy for use during peak demand or low production periods along with grid modernisation and a focus on electrification. Community engagement has also been key, involving local communities including children in education and renewable projects and educating residents.

Henk talked us through how he has focused on making Hawaii renewable as a flag bearer for other US states and island nations to follow. 

“It’s difficult to understand what a 1.5-2 degree target is, whereas 100% renewable by 2040 is easier for people to understand”. 

Henk’s view is NZ is so close to being fully renewable, we should strive to get there as soon as possible. “You’re at 95%, finish the job”.

Rod Drury discussed how he is helping make Queenstown 100% renewable and electrifying the city. There is a massive opportunity for NZ to be a supplier of the lowest cost renewable energy in the world. Given the growing demand for generative AI and the issues that other countries have faced meeting its energy demands, this is critical.

“If the private sector can prove the commercial case for low carbon projects, it can help the conversation and help shift mindsets and policy".

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Steve Jurkovich, CEO of Kiwibank introduced the concept of constraints as catalysts for creativity and innovation. He urged us to view limitations not as obstacles, but as opportunities to think differently and devise unique solutions. Constraints can actually empower you to focus on clear problems and find more innovative solutions.

Amanda Ellis, ED of the Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation and co-chair of the New Carbon Economy Consortium concurred, referenced an incredible range of innovations from scientists and the private sector that have made renewables so much cheaper than fossil fuels. 

But she reminded usincentives spur action. The huge global fossil fuel subsidies - a staggering $7 Trillion per annum according to the IMF - mean we are moving much more slowly than we should be to mainstream innovation. If that financial and policy support were to be shifted to renewables, the IMF estimates a 34pc drop in Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2030, taking is 3/4 of the way to where we need to be to stay within planetary boundaries.

Blair Turnbull, CEO of Tower Insurance, discussed the work they are doing to support the Pacific Islands, which are the most sensitive to the physical risks of climate change. Tower offer Parametric Insurance to cover certain risks, which is now being supported by the UN and gives certainty to the Pacific Island communities' future.  

Carmen Vicelich shared how having no data or technology to do something is no longer an excuse. 

“We have to find new ways”.

Generate Zero is testimony of that, leveraging the power of AI to create a world-first Financed and Operational decarbonisation platform which is now used by leading organisations including Westpac, Tower, AIG, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB, Cooperative Bank, and MBIE.

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Today, Generate Zero and Blue Planet entered into an MOU as part of their combined commitment to people and planet.