British Methodist Church allows same-sex marriage in ‘momentous’ vote
A vote to change the definition of marriage at the Methodist Conference on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed by 254 in favor with 46 against.
United Kingdom
This archive gathers solutions-journalism stories and milestones from the United Kingdom — covering health, environment, social policy, science, and more. Browse 388 articles documenting progress made by communities, researchers, and organizations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Landmark G7 agreement pledges 870 million COVID-19 vaccine doses
The Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations’ commitment to immediately share at least 870 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, supporting global access and helping to end the acute phase of the pandemic.
New study shows psychedelic mushrooms are as effective as antidepressants
Psilocybin performed about as well as the SSRI escitalopram as a treatment for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder, according to a new double-blinded, randomized experiment.
Eighteen million trees to be planted around Glasgow
An urban forest of 18 million trees, is to be planted around Glasgow over the next 10 years. The number of trees being planted is equivalent to 10 trees per resident.
U.K. recognizes animals as sentient beings
Some of the issues addressed include banning e-collars (which deliver electric shocks), restricting glue traps, banning people from importing most hunting trophies, banning live animal exports for fattening or slaughtering and keeping primates as pets.
Queen Elizabeth II announces U.K. government will ban conversion therapy
While the practice has been discredited by every major medical association, the religious right continues to promote the technique despite the increased risk of suicide and depression by participants.
U.K. closes major loophole on plane and ship emissions
The U.K. has established an important international precedent, being the first major economy to account for its airline and shipping emissions under its carbon budget.
Scientists have developed a “highly effective” malaria vaccine
Scientists from the University of Oxford have developed a vaccine that they say gives “unprecedented” protection against malaria, a deadly mosquito-borne disease that killed more than 400,000 people worldwide last year.
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.
Brighton & Hove the first U.K. city to adopt the Homeless Bill of Rights
The bill of rights was originally drawn up in 2017 to encourage cities and councils to recognize the rights of the homeless. The document was compiled of basic rights drawn from human rights law.