Climate crisis

This archive collects more than 1,500 solutions-journalism stories tracking real progress on the climate crisis — from renewable energy records and emissions reductions to policy wins and community-led adaptation. The focus is on what’s working, who’s making it happen, and what the evidence shows about the path forward.

Rows of solar panels in a Chinese desert reflecting China wind and solar capacity growth under the Five-Year Plan clean energy targets

China plans to double its already massive clean energy supply by 2035

By / / Good News For Humankind

China’s new climate pledge to the United Nations sets a target of 3,600 gigawatts of wind and solar power by 2035 — more than the entire electricity-generating capacity of the United States today, and roughly double what China has already built. The commitment is woven into the country’s next Five-Year Plan, which directs state banks, provinces, and manufacturers to move in the same direction. Because China makes about 80% of the world’s solar panels, every factory it scales up makes clean energy cheaper for buyers in Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and everywhere else. That ripple effect is what makes this pledge matter far beyond one country’s borders — it lowers the cost of a livable future for all of us.

Aerial view of a Hawaiian coral reef and turquoise coastline for an article about Hawaii climate resilience fee

Hawaii becomes first U.S. state to charge tourist ‘Green Fee’ to fund climate resilience

By / / Good news links

Act 96 will raise the state’s current transient accommodations tax by 0.75% for a total of 11% placed upon the nightly lodging rate, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The fee will apply to travelers staying in hotels, short-term vacation rentals, and for the first time ever, cruise ships. Tourist taxes are quickly emerging worldwide as more destinations face the impacts of over-tourism and climate change. Last year, Greece, Bali, and the Galápagos Islands all implemented or raised their fees on travelers to contribute to sustainability programs.

Rows of solar panels under a blue sky for an article about China CO2 emissions and renewable energy growth

China’s CO2 emissions begin declining for first time

By / / Good news links

The world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide has seen a slight decline in those emissions over the past 12 months, even as demand for power has increased. This is an encouraging sign that the country’s massive investment in clean energy has begun to displace fossil fuels. A new report, published in Carbon Brief, finds that the country’s CO2 emissions have declined by 1% over the past 12 months. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, emissions declined by 1.6% relative to last year.

Rooftop solar panels on suburban houses in bright sunlight, for an article about England's solar panel mandate for new homes

Solar panels to be fitted on all new-build homes in England by 2027

By / / Good news links

Almost all new homes in England will be fitted with solar panels during construction within two years. Under the plans, housebuilders will be legally required to install solar panels on the roofs of new properties by 2027. The policy is estimated to add between £3,000 and £4,000 to building a home, but homeowners would save more than £1,000 on their annual energy bills, according to the Times.

Solar panels and wind turbines generating clean electricity for an article about renewable energy capacity

Renewables hit 49% of global power capacity for the first time

By / / Good News For Humankind

Renewable energy capacity crossed a landmark threshold in 2025, with global installed power surpassing 5,100 gigawatts and representing 49% of all capacity worldwide for the first time in history. The International Renewable Energy Agency reported a single-year addition of 692 gigawatts, led overwhelmingly by solar power, which alone accounted for 75% of new renewable installations. Clean energy now represents 85.6% of all new power capacity added globally, signaling that the transition has moved from aspiration to economic reality. The milestone carries implications beyond climate — nations with strong renewable bases demonstrated measurably greater energy security amid ongoing geopolitical instability.

A row of electric buses at a charging depot for an article about electric buses India

Telangana orders 915 electric buses in a major clean transit push

By / / Good News For Humankind

Electric buses in India took a major step forward as Telangana ordered 915 zero-emission vehicles, one of the largest single clean transit procurements in the country’s history. The purchase will serve routes across Hyderabad and other urban centers, reducing air pollution for millions of residents who depend on public buses and have the least ability to escape street-level exhaust. The order builds on India’s PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, which targets 10,000 electric buses nationwide, and adds real momentum to a transition that analysts say is becoming increasingly economically compelling. As India’s renewable energy grid expands, the emissions benefit of each electric bus will only grow over time.

Rooftop solar panels on a row of newly built houses for an article about solar panels on new buildings

Wales becomes first part of the U.K. to mandate solar panels on new buildings

By / / Good News For Humankind

Solar panels on new buildings became mandatory in Wales in 2022, making it the first part of the United Kingdom to embed renewable energy directly into its construction code. The rules apply to most new homes, commercial buildings, and major extensions, with the Welsh Government estimating the change will cut carbon emissions from new buildings by roughly 75 percent. Because retrofitting existing buildings costs far more than building right the first time, the policy addresses one of the highest-leverage points in climate action. Wales joins California and France among a small group of governments willing to make clean energy generation a baseline expectation rather than an optional incentive.

Aerial view of a cargo ship transiting a narrow strait for an article about Djibouti sovereign carbon tax — 13 words

Djibouti pioneers sovereign carbon tax to unlock millions for local climate resilience

By / / Good News For Humankind

Djibouti’s sovereign carbon tax on shipping emissions marks a historic first, making the small Horn of Africa nation an unlikely pioneer in climate finance. Djibouti has independently levied a carbon charge on vessels transiting its waters near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors, directing revenue toward local climate resilience programs. The move bypasses slow international maritime negotiations and addresses a long-standing failure of global climate finance: money rarely reaches the communities most harmed. For one of Africa’s most climate-vulnerable nations, this bold assertion of sovereign authority could become a model for coastal states worldwide.

Piles of discarded clothing in a textile recycling facility for an article about the EU textile waste ban

The E.U. now bans fashion brands from destroying unsold clothes

By / / Good News For Humankind

The EU textile waste ban marks a turning point for the global fashion industry. Large fashion companies operating in European markets are now prohibited from incinerating or landfilling unsold clothing and accessories under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The rule targets a long-standing industry practice of destroying excess inventory to protect brand value — most notoriously exposed when Burberry burned £28 million worth of goods in 2018. Brands must now pursue repair, resale, or donation instead. With 450 million consumers at stake, the regulation gives the EU real leverage to reshape how the fashion industry manages overproduction globally.

A row of electric vehicles charging at public stations for an article about electric car sales in the E.U.

Electric car sales surpass petrol vehicles across the E.U. for the first time

By / / Good News For Humankind

Electric car sales reached a historic milestone in December 2025, surpassing petrol vehicles for the first time across the European Union. Battery-electric vehicles claimed 22.6 percent of new car registrations, narrowly edging out petrol at 22.5 percent, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. The shift reflects years of falling EV prices, improved battery range, and rapid expansion of public charging infrastructure. Hybrids led all categories at 44 percent, signaling a broad move away from fossil fuels even among cautious buyers. The milestone arrived ahead of schedule and strengthens confidence in Europe’s 2050 climate neutrality goal.