Poland clinches ‘historic’ deal to phase out coal by 2049
The country depends on coal for around 70% of its energy needs, although it is planning to reduce this to 11% by 2040.
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. Department of Justice charges three Georgia men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery with federal hate crimes
All three defendants have also been charged in a separate state proceeding with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Liberia, Mexico, Niger, Senegal, and Sierra Leone to support deployment of women in peace operations through UN Elsie Initiative Fund
The five receiving countries are in the process of conducting an in-depth barrier assessment to identify the obstacles to women’s selection and deployment to international peace operations and to start implementing their national plans.
Groundbreaking treaty protects environmental activists in Latin America
In addition to improving public access to environmental information and encouraging public participation in environmental policymaking, the treaty also requires participating countries to protect environmental human rights defenders.
230,000 acres of tropical rainforest in Belize protected as biodiversity hotspot
This new protected area is contiguous with and nearly doubles the size of the adjacent Rio Bravo Conservation Management Area. Combined, it represents 9% of the landmass of Belize and secures a vital wildlife corridor.
Amazon, Unilever, and Nestlé join the U.K., U.S. and Norway in new $1 billion rainforest conservation initiative
During the international Climate Summit, three governments and nine giant corporations announced a groundbreaking coalition, called LEAF, which is mobilizing to raise at least $1 billion this year, alone, for large-scale forest protection and sustainable development.
Ireland to replace last coal plant with massive green energy hub
The Republic of Ireland is set to say goodbye to coal, after the state-owned Electricity Supply Board announced it would transform its last remaining coal generation, the 915MW Moneypoint facility, into a green energy hub, including a 1.4GW floating offshore wind farm.
U.K. sets world’s toughest climate target for 2035
The U.K. government has announced a legally binding commitment to hit a 78 percent emissions reduction target by 2035, as compared to 1990 levels, on the way to net zero emissions by 2050. For the first time, this target includes aviation and shipping. The U.K.’s carbon emissions peaked at around 900 megatons per year in 1991, and the 2022 figure is on pace to be below 500 Mt, representing around a 45% emissions reduction achievement since 2002.
New Zealand requires financial institutions to prepare climate impact reports
Companies within the financial sector, like banks and insurers, must give a detailed report of climate change impacts on their businesses as well as information on how they handle climate-related risks and opportunities.
Nepal’s rhino population is on the rise
In the 1960s, Nepal’s rhino population hit a frightening low of fewer than 100. But it seems the government’s conservation efforts have paid off.