Canada’s new child benefit has lifted almost 300,000 children out of poverty
New Statistics Canada figures show 278,000 fewer children living below the poverty line in 2017, the first full year of the benefit, compared to 2015.
Nations
This archive collects milestones and progress stories involving nations — countries and their governments — acting to improve lives, protect rights, or address shared challenges. From policy breakthroughs to international cooperation, these stories show what countries are doing right.
U.S. EPA to eliminate all mammal testing by 2035
EPA’s decision is a decisive win for taxpayers, animals, and the environment, says Justin Goodman, vice president of advocacy and public policy at the White Coat Waste Project.
Extreme poverty in Pakistan declines from 28% to 4% in 15 years
The extreme poverty (or below $1.9 per day poverty line) in Pakistan has gone down from 28.6 percent of total population in 2001 to 3.9 percent in 2015, Asian Development Bank said in a report.
Sarajevo hosts landmark gay pride parade
The capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina has held its first ever gay pride event amid heavy security. Bosnia is the last of the countries of former Yugoslavia to hold a pride event.
Seven South American countries sign Amazon forest protection pact
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname signed a pact, setting up a disaster response network and satellite monitoring amid massive fires in the world’s largest tropical forest.
Canada sets aside 56,000 square kilometres of Yukon boreal forest for conservation after decade-long legal battle
Located in northwest Canada, Yukon’s Peel watershed covers 67,431 square kilometres of wilderness that is rich in biodiversity. Eighty-three percent will now be preserved as Conservation Areas.
India bans six single-use plastic products
India is set to impose a nationwide ban on plastic bags, cups and straws on Oct. 2, in its most sweeping measure yet to stamp out single-use plastics.
Ireland to plant 440 million trees over the next 20 years
The Irish government has announced an ambitious plan to fight climate change, setting a planting target of 440 million trees by 2040.
Offshore wind boom is transforming U.K.’s coastal town economy
Growth in the U.K. offshore wind industry is transforming the U.K.’s coastal towns from empty ports to bustling industry with thousands of skilled job opportunities.
Peru passes “momentous” ban on palm oil deforestation
Peru has just become the second South American country to commit to ending palm oil driven deforestation by 2021.