Brenda Hale sworn in as first female president of U.K.’s supreme court
The first woman appointed to be a law lord, in 2004, Hale had to wait until this week for a second woman to join her on the U.K.’s highest court.
Europe
This archive covers progress stories and milestones from across Europe, spanning health, climate policy, social equity, and scientific research. From small-nation experiments to E.U.-wide initiatives, these reports highlight what is working and why.
Scottish government bans fracking after public opposition
Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse says allowing unconventional extraction of coal and gas would put climate goals at risk
Solar panels surpass coal-fired electricity for six months in the U.K.
Research by the Carbon Brief website found that solar generated nearly 7,000 gigawatt hours of electricity between April and September, about 10 per cent more than the 6,300GwH produced by coal during the same period.
Renewable energy sets new record by producing nearly a third of U.K. electricity
Nearly a third of all U.K. electricity came from renewable sources in the second three months of this year, setting a new record for clean energy generation, the Government has revealed.
China to join forces with Canada and EU to continue fight climate change despite Trump withdrawal
Environment ministers representing Canada, China and the European Union will co-host a meeting in Montreal later this month to advance implementation of the Paris climate change agreement.
Jaguar Land Rover will only make electric or hybrid vehicles starting in 2020
British luxury automaker Jaguar Land Rover is the latest company pledging to stop production of internal combustion cars.
Scotland to ‘phase out’ new petrol and diesel cars by 2032
Nicola Sturgeon outlined plans to “massively expand” charging points and set up pilot projects to encourage uptake of electric vehicles.
U.K. pledges £100m to global efforts to eradicate polio
Money will fund vaccination of 45 million children annually until 2020, when the world could finally be declared polio-free
U.K. to ban new diesel and petrol vehicles from 2040
The government is set to announce the ban of new diesel and petrol cars and vans from 2040 onwards as part of the Clean Air Strategy.
Parliament in Germany approves same-sex marriage
Lawmakers in Germany voted on Friday to allow same-sex marriage after a brisk but emotional debate in Parliament, setting the stage for the country to join more than a dozen European nations including Ireland, France and Spain in legalizing such unions.