New Zealand buys enough COVID vaccine for its Pacific Islander neighbors
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta confirmed NZD $75 million of assistancehad been earmarked to support Pacific and global vaccine access and roll-out.
Nations
This archive collects stories from Good News for Humankind involving nations — countries and their governments — as key actors in progress. Across 1,807 articles, you’ll find reporting on policy wins, international cooperation, and measurable improvements in health, climate, rights, and more.
E.U. approves world’s largest green stimulus
EU lawmakers agreed to provide a €672 billion recovery fund boost for the EU economy. 37% of the funding has to go to projects that help the climate.
Bhutan Parliament votes to decriminalize homosexuality
Sixty-three of the 69 members of the Bhutan Parliament voted in favor of making gay sex legal; the other six were absent.
France to become the first country to label electronics with repairability tags
France is reported to begin rolling out ‘repairability tags’ on devices from January 2021, with some other European countries following suit after that.
Canadian government commits over $3 billion for nature-based climate solutions
The government has proposed providing up to $3.16 billion to partner with provinces, territories, NGOs, Indigenous communities, and more to plant two billion trees.
E.U. leaders agree to cut emissions by 55% of 1990 levels by 2030
The deal was reached after the EU agreed on a $2.2 trillion budget Thursday evening that includes funds for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
India plans enormous 41.5 GW hybrid wind & solar power park
For perspective, that is almost as much solar as is currently installed in the entire United States.
India imposes new regulations capping commissions for ride-sharing companies
Uber, Ola, and other app-based ride-sharing services in India will now be able to charge only up to 20% commission on ride fares. That means drivers will receive 80% of the ride fare, decreasing what has commonly assumed to be Uber’s 26% commission.
14 countries commit to ocean sustainability initiative
Governments from 14 countries responsible for 40% of the world’s coastlines and 20% of global fisheries have committed to sustainably manage their national waters by 2025 and encouraged all other nations to join them by 2030.
Switzerland is set to be the next country to legalize marriage equality
The Council of States passed a law that would legalize marriage equality with a 22-15 vote, with seven abstentions. The lower house passed the bill this past June. The bill now goes back to the National Council for final approval and it is expected to pass before the end of the year.