Luxembourg to become the first country to offer free mass transit for all
Free mass transit will be available across Luxembourg from the beginning of 2020 – making it the first country in the world to do so.
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.
Spain to produce all electricity from renewables by 2050 and cut emissions by 90%
Spain’s proposals, set to be adopted by the cabinet in coming weeks, spell out an ambitious target to draw 100 per cent of the country’s electricity from renewables by 2050.
Emerging markets added 114 GW worth of zero-carbon generating capacity in 2017
A new report has highlighted the rising importance of developing nations in driving clean energy worldwide, and finds they are seizing the mantle of global clean energy leadership from wealthier nations.
The EU says it is aiming to become the first major economy to go “climate neutral” by 2050
Net-zero by 2050 just got its first major champion: the European Union has unveiled a strategy that would make it the first large economy to commit to full climate neutrality. The plan leans on technology that already exists today — scaling solar and wind to 80% of electricity, insulating homes, and restoring forests to absorb what can’t be eliminated. Alongside the climate benefits, the EU estimates the shift could cut energy import costs by up to three trillion euros a year and reduce premature deaths from air pollution by 40%. A coalition of ten member states, including Sweden, is already pushing to move faster — a sign that ambitious climate leadership is becoming Europe’s mainstream expectation rather than its fringe.
The U.S. establishes its first cybersecurity defense agency
President Donald Trump signed into law the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Act of 2018, thereby establishing the first agency devoted to defending U.S. infrastructure from both cyber and physical attacks.
U.K. pledges £50m to help end female genital mutilation across Africa by 2030
The British government is to invest £50m in an attempt to end female genital mutilation by 2030, claiming it is the single biggest investment to tackle the issue by an international donor.
The U.S. FCC approves SpaceX’s plan to launch 7,518 internet satellites
Elon Musk says that the Starlink satellite constellation will maintain a line of sight to everyone on Earth, providing global internet connectivity.
B.C. government to provide transgender surgery
The British Columbia government announced Friday it will provide reconstructive lower surgery for transgender people.
France announces plans to ban deforestation imports
Five French Government departments have announced the adoption of a new nation strategy to end deforestation caused by the import of unsustainable forest or agricultural products, including palm oil, beef, wood, and soy.
Spain will switch to 100% renewable energy by 2050
The country will install at least 3,000 megawatts of wind and solar power capacity every year for the next ten years. This will result in greenhouse gas emissions being cut by 90 per cent compared to 1990 levels by the middle of the century.