U.K. government commits to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050
The U.K. is to enshrine a 2050 net zero emissions target in law, with an amendment to the Climate Change Act.
Sustainability
This archive collects 524 stories about sustainability milestones — from renewable energy gains and regenerative agriculture to plastic reduction and corporate accountability. Each piece focuses on what’s working, who’s driving it, and how far it’s come. If you follow environmental and economic progress, this is a reliable place to track it.
Washington State becomes first in the United States to allow human composting
The practice reduces the environmental impact and saves land from being taken up by cemetery plots and headstones.
Barclays commits to 100% renewable energy by 2030
The British multinational investment bank Barclays has entered RE100, a global initiative committing to source 100% renewable electricity for their global operations by 2030.
Michael Bloomberg launches $500 million campaign to end coal
UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action Michael Bloomberg has announced Beyond Carbon campaign to close the United States’ fleet of coal plants and halt new gas plants.
Canada launches Climate Action Incentive Fund
The fund will deliver up to $218 million in its first year (2019-2020), funded from the Canadian federal carbon pollution pricing system.
The world’s largest offshore wind farm just came online off the shores of Britain
The massive wind farm now has 50 of 174 turbines spinning. When completed, the project will have more than double the capacity of the current largest offshore installation.
Finland commits to be carbon neutral by 2035
Finland will go carbon neutral by 2035, under a coalition deal published on Monday, setting one of the world’s earliest timelines for reaching that mark.
U.K. government announces ban on all plastic straws, cotton buds and drink stirrers
The ban will come into place in April 2020 and will be applied throughout towns and cities in England.
Morrisons to become first U.K. supermarket to offer plastic-free fruit and vegetables
The British supermarket will offer 127 loose fruit and veg varieties over the next year. The fruit and veg will either be sold in recyclable paper bags or loose.
Glasgow commits to be U.K.’s first net-zero city
Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Council leader, said: “We need to be a Net Zero city. And we need to be the U.K.’s first Net Zero city.”