Chile

Seal underwater

Chile surpasses 50% ocean protection with the world’s third-largest fully protected marine zone

By / / Good News For Humankind

Chilean President Gabriel Boric has signed a decree extending full Chile ocean protection to roughly 140,000 square miles around the Juan Fernández and Nazca-Desventuradas marine parks, pushing national coverage past 50% of its exclusive economic zone. Once implemented, the fully protected zone will rank as the third largest in the world, behind the Ross Sea and Papahānaumokuākea. The Organización Comunitaria Funcional Mar de Juan Fernández — a community of fewer than 1,000 people managing a sustainable lobster fishery since 1890 — drove the proposal forward. Their success demonstrates that durable ocean conservation starts with the people who live there.

Mountain landscape with blue sky in background

More than 325,000 acres of Chilean Patagonia now protected after “remarkable” local fundraising

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a monumental victory for grassroots conservation, a local coalition has successfully raised 78 million dollars to purchase and protect approximately 328,000 acres of pristine wilderness in Chilean Patagonia. This massive area, known as Hacienda Pucheguin, is home to ancient alerce forests, glaciers, and endangered wildlife like the huemul deer. The initiative, led by the NGO Puelo Patagonia, prevents industrial development and establishes a new model for private conservation that integrates sustainable ecotourism and community stewardship.

Aerial view of large solar farm

World’s biggest battery storage project gets underway in Chile

By / / Good news links

Financial close has been reached for the first two phases of the world’s largest battery storage project, the Oasis de Atacama in Chile, with 1.24GWh now financed and an eventual 4.1GWh once all five phases are completed. Grenergy expects the completed project will generate electricity equivalent for the needs of 145,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by over 146,000 tons.

Vast salt flat

Chile to create network of protected salt flats

By / / Good news links

Currently, only around 8% of Chile’s salt flats are protected. The new network of protected salt flats will raise that to 25%. This also aligns with the 30×30 goal as outlined by the global Convention on Biological Diversity, which ensures that at least 30% of the planet’s ecosystems are protected by 2030. The protection plan is part of the broader National Lithium Strategy, which seeks to make Chile the world’s lead producer of lithium, a critical component of EV batteries.