Seattle becomes the first major U.S. city to ban plastic straws
Seattle has become the first major city in the U.S. to ban plastic straws and utensils. Businesses that don’t comply with the ban can now face a $250 fine.
Sustainability
This archive tracks real progress on sustainability — from clean energy adoption and circular economy breakthroughs to policy wins and community-led conservation efforts. Each story focuses on what’s working, where, and why it matters for the long-term health of people and the planet.
Sweden to reach its 2030 renewable energy goal this year
An exciting new report shows that Sweden has installed so much wind power, the country is now 12 years ahead of schedule for its renewable energy goals.
Europe’s first solar panel recycling plant opens in France
Solar panel recycling is finally catching up to solar power’s rapid growth, and France is showing the world how it’s done. A new facility in Rousset recovers glass, silicon, copper, and silver from aging panels — materials that can feed directly into making new ones, closing the loop on clean energy hardware. IRENA projects global PV waste could exceed five million tonnes by 2050, making infrastructure like this urgently needed. The plant currently handles crystalline silicon panels only, leaving thin-film recycling unsolved at industrial scale. Veolia hopes Rousset becomes a global template.
Development banks pump record $35 billion into climate finance
The six largest multilateral development banks spent $35 billion on climate financing in 2017, a 28 percent rise on the previous year and the highest since recording began in 2011.
23 nations sign “Declaration of Ambition”, pledging to set tougher climate goals
More than 20 nations ranging from Germany, France and Britain to Pacific island states said they planned to “lead from the front” in setting new, tougher goals by 2020 to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris climate agreement.
India energy minister flags massive 100GW solar tender – by far the largest ever
India’s energy minister R K Singh has flagged a massive solar tender of 100GW — by far the biggest in the world, as the fastest growing energy consumer turns increasingly to renewables to satisfy its enormous needs.
Renault to invest more than €1bn in French electric car plants
Renault will invest more than €1bn into four plants in France to increase its electric car production in the country.
India increases its 2022 renewable energy target by 28%
India’s power and renewable energy minister announced that India was increasing its 2022 target by 52 GW up to 227 GW.
Scottish greenhouse gas emission rates ‘halved since 1990’
Government statistics show levels in 2016 were 49% below the 1990 baseline, with a 10.3% drop on the previous year.
IKEA to use only renewable and recycled materials by 2030
IKEA, the world’s biggest furniture retailer, plans to use only renewable and recycled materials in its products by 2030.