Good News to End the Year On

War, political turmoil, and climate doom dominate our news feeds, so it's easy to feel anxious and numb to it all. Let's take a deep breath as we wind down the year and reflect on the hopeful things that happened in 2024 - not so we can tune out all the challenges, but rather so we can stay committed and optimistic about the difficult but worthwhile journey ahead. Ready? Here we go.

More than 30% of world’s electricity now comes from renewable energy

More than 30 per cent of the world’s electricity is now generated using renewables and the European Union is well ahead of this global average, a new report has found. Energy think tank Ember found that major growth in wind and solar helped push global electricity production past this milestone.

Battery costs dropped 90% in 15 years giving renewables a major boost

Battery costs have dropped by more than 90 per cent in the last 15 years, a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals. It’s one of the fastest declines ever seen among clean energy technologies, and provides hope that batteries can carry the world to its renewable energy goals.

Government climate policies tackling deforestation and nature doubled

Nature-based policies from governments around the world have doubled over the last 12 months, a new study has found. The report looked at 300 different policies around the world and found that around half of global emissions reductions by 2035 are likely to come from those aimed at ending deforestation, reducing food waste, restoring ecosystems, lowering agricultural emissions and rolling out nature-based climate solutions.

Nature became an official Spotify artist to raise money for conservation

You can now listen to ‘Nature’ on all major music streaming platforms. From Pink Floyd to the Beatles, natural sounds have been enhancing music forever. A new initiative recognizes nature as an official artist meaning singers, songwriters and bands who use these sounds can choose to add it as a featured artist. Some of their profits from streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music will then be shared with environmental causes.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour feeds millions through global food donations

Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour made a significant impact on global hunger. As part of the tour, Swift and her team spearheaded a massive food donation initiative, partnering with local food banks in every city she performed. This effort resulted in millions of meals donated worldwide, helping to combat food insecurity and support communities in need. From North America to South America, and Europe to South East Asia, and Australia, Swift’s philanthropic commitment has inspired fans and organizations alike, proving that music can be a powerful force for positive change. This unprecedented act of generosity showcases the profound impact of leveraging global events for social good.

Biden signed off on billions for clean energy projects before departure

Outgoing US president Joe Biden made clean energy a priority and shelled out billions of dollars as well as approved major offshore wind projects in the final months of his time in office. Regardless of what his successor does, these investments could make a significant positive environmental impact over time.

Battery storage growing exponentially in the USA

In the past four years, the United States added 20 gigawatts of battery storage capacity to the grid. For comparison, that’s enough to store the output of 20 nuclear reactors (but at much lower cost) —and that number could double to 40 gigawatts by the end of next year, according to the Energy Information Administration. Most of that growth occurred in California, Arizona, and Texas. Battery capacity means that solar and wind power can be stored for when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing, guarding against blackouts.

Plastic bag bans work, according to new study

Single-use plastic bag bans in five US states and cities with a combined population of around 12 million people have proven successful to reduce roughly 6 billion plastic bags per year, according to recent research. Adopting similar bans could eliminate roughly 300 single-use plastic bags per person per year, along with associated litter and pollution, according to the same report.

Youth climate activists won a "historic" settlement in Hawaii

The lawsuit was the world's first youth-led constitutional climate case seeking to address climate pollution from the transportation sector. It alleged that the US state violated the constitution by operating a transportation system that harmed the climate and infringed upon the children's right to a clean and healthy environment. The State has agreed to make significant changes to it's transport sector as a result of this legal decision.

Indigenous-led effort to remove dams rapidly replenished fisheries

In California, wildlife has benefited from decades-long drives by the Native American Yurok Tribe to replenish animals on tribal territories. In 2024, this culminated in salmon returning to the Oregon's Klamath River after a 100-year hiatus, following an historic dam removal further downstream in the California stretch of the river. In August, the final of four dams were removed – in what was America's biggest dam removal project – following pressure from environmentalists and tribes. "What's surprising is the sheer number of fish that are back, and the geographic range," said Barry McCovey, senior fisheries biologist for the Yurok Tribe. "I couldn't believe they'd been spotted in Oregon. It was incredible news to hear – it was mind boggling. When I heard, I was like 'wait, already?!'. They've exceeded any expectations anyone had."

Nine foundations pushed up Canada’s climate philanthropy by 300%

Two prominent foundations – the Trottier Family Foundation and the Peter Gilgan Foundation – contributed $250 million, with the balance coming from smaller and newer funds, including one set up by direct-air-capture pioneer (and former University of Calgary physicist) David Keith, who last year sold his start-up - Carbon Engineering, to Texas-based Occidental for US$1.1 billion. The Ivey Foundation also recommitted an earlier pledge of $100 million. These new commitments were made through the Climate Champions initiative, coordinated by the Clean Economy Fund, which has the goal of tripling climate philanthropy in Canada from roughly $100 million to more than $300 million per year by 2030.

Alberta is officially coal-free

In June 2024, Alberta achieved a significant environmental milestone by completely phasing out coal-fired electricity generation. This transition culminated with Capital Power's Genesee 2 facility—the province's last dedicated coal plant—going offline on June 16, 2024. The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) reported that the electricity grid is now operating without coal, and no coal generation anticipated in future forecasts. This accomplishment positions Alberta as a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing cleaner energy sources.

Canada's new sustainability standards set to transform business reporting

The Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) has officially released its inaugural set of sustainability standards, marking a transformative step forward for Canadian businesses and investors. These groundbreaking standards aim to enhance transparency, consistency, and comparability in sustainability reporting across industries, enabling organizations to better disclose their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Designed to align with global best practices, the CSSB standards provide a robust framework to help companies address climate-related risks, foster stakeholder trust, and contribute to Canada’s sustainability goals. This milestone reflects Canada’s leadership in promoting responsible business practices and supporting the transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.

Nature granted rights through historic legal precedents

Back in 2021, the Ecuadorian government issued a landmark ruling stating that mining in its Los Cedros cloud forest violated the rights of nature. Another ruling this year in Ecuador stated that pollution had violated the rights of the Machángara River that runs through the capital, Quito. In Brazil, part of the ocean was given legal personhood – with the coastal city of Linhares recognizing its waves as living beings, granting them the right to existence, regeneration and restoration. Meanwhile, a new treaty formed by Pacific Indigenous leaders saw whales and dolphins officially recognized as "legal persons". Legal personhood provides the understanding that nature and living non-human beings should be understood as subjects [as opposed to objects] – with intrinsic value and interests and needs of their own.

Chile and Palau ratified deal to protect international waters

Chile and Palau have become the first two countries to ratify a landmark UN treaty for the protection of the high seas. The UN’s High Seas Treaty was adopted last year after almost 20 years of negotiations. More than 80 countries have so far signed it but need to ratify it to be bound by it. The treaty would become the world’s first international law to mandate the conservation and management of marine life in areas beyond countries’ national jurisdictions.

Amazon deforestation reaches nine-year low

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon dropped to a nine-year low in 2024, falling by more than 30% in the 12 months to July, according to data released by Brazil's national space research institute, INPE. Roughly 2,428 sq miles (6,288 sq km) of the rainforest were destroyed, an area larger than the size of the US state of Delaware. While this area is still vast, it is the lowest annual loss since 2015. Deforestation fell despite the fact that fires in the Brazilian Amazon increased almost 18-fold during the same time period following a historic drought. The development comes almost two years after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office and pledged to end deforestation by 2030 and crack down on illegal logging.

Wind and solar electricity in Europe grew to all-time high in 2024

For the first time, wind and solar generated more of the EU’s electricity than fossil fuels in the first half of this year. A new analysis from energy think tank Ember has found that electricity from wind and solar grew to an all-time high of 30 per cent in the last six months compared to 27 per cent from fossil fuels. The remaining 43 per cent was made up by a mix of hydropower, nuclear and other sources.

Climate action set to boost energy security in Europe by 8% by 2030

Efforts to meet Europe’s emission reduction targets led by industry and citizens will pay off according to an analysis published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which estimates the continent could improve energy security by 8% by 2030. Higher carbon prices, energy efficiency and accelerated permitting for renewables were key policy areas identified by the Washington DC- based IMF to improve Europe’s energy security.

6 European countries pledged €130 million to protect biodiversity

Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway and the UK announced €130 million in new funding to the world's foremost biodiversity fund, during the UN biodiversity summit, COP16, in Colombia in October.

Pope announces new solar plant to power Vatican City

Pope Francis has said he wants Vatican City to run on solar power. To achieve his aim, solar panels will be installed on a Vatican-owned property outside Rome. The power generated could supply 100% of Vatican City's energy needs.

Swedish vertical farm start-up growing vegetables inside of supermarkets

A Swedish company is building farms inside supermarkets as an environmentally friendly solution to grow fruits and vegetables. The solution from SweGreen, already in place in Sweden and Germany, is a solution to water shortages, the lack of agricultural land, transportation impacts, and geopolitical supply chain disruptions.

China's coal power plant approvals seem to have peaked

A review of project documents by Greenpeace East Asia found that 14 new coal plants were approved in China from January to June with a total capacity of 10.3 gigawatts, down 80 per cent from 50.4 gigawatts in the first half of last year. This is welcome news after a flurry of permits in the previous two years raised concern about China's commitment to preventing the worst effects of climate change.

Conveyor belt road from Tokyo to Osaka could slash transport emissions

Japan’s 500 km Autoflow-Road could slash emissions, worker shortages and traffic. Goods would be transported either on belts running down the middle of highways, alongside hard shoulders or through underground tunnels in automated, driverless electric vehicles. The road could carry the same amount of cargo per day as 25,000 trucks.

Rare wild horses back from extinction on Kazakhstan’s Golden Steppe

For the first time in at least 200 years, wild Przewalski's horses have returned to Kazakhstan’s Golden Steppe. These are the last truly wild horses left on Earth whose habitats were wiped out by farming and other human activity. The Prague Zoo has restored them to their original home in the plains of Central Asia.

Let me know which headlines were most meaningful to you. Happy holidays and all the best of 2025!

Leor Rotchild is a nationally-recognized speaker, author, and consultant with 20 years of sustainable business experience. His new book entitled How We Gather Matters: Sustainable Event Planning for Purpose and Impact is now available at local bookstores or online.

News items above sourced from:

www.euronews.com

www.corporateknights.com

www.goodnewsnetwork.org

www.linkedin.com

www.theguardian.com

www.bbc.com

www.utilitydive.com

theconversation.com