U.K. bans plastic microbeads in effort to protect marine life
Manufacturing ban means the tiny beads which harm marine life can no longer be used in cosmetics and personal care products
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.
A record majority of Norway’s new cars are now electric or hybrid
Norway crossed an electric vehicle milestone in 2017, with more than half of its new vehicle registrations coming from electric vehicles. The country has a plan to phase out new gas-powered cars by 2040.
Brazil announces end to Amazon mega-dam building policy
The Temer government claims the decision is a response to intense resistance from environmentalists and indigenous groups
Fiji issues first developing country green bond, raising $50 million for climate resilience
Fiji has become the first emerging market to issue a sovereign green bond, raising 100 million Fijian dollars, or US$50 million, to support climate change mitigation and adaption.
St. Louis commits to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035
The resolution, unanimously approved by the legislative body, tasks the city with developing a plan by December 2018 to wean itself off fossil fuels.
Offshore wind power is taking off in the Northeastern United States
The first wave of six projects in the Northeast are expected to total more than 1,700 MW and cost nearly $9 billion in capital expenditures.
Solar Bitcoin founders launch blockchain project to disrupt global energy markets
This blockchain project aims to leverage digital currency in order to boost the generation and consumption of renewables and allow for decentralized energy trading between utilities, producers grid operators, and consumers.
The world’s first floating wind farm is now producing energy in Scotland
Hywind Scotland, situated in Buchan Deep, is the world’s first floating wind farm, with its five six-megawatt turbines now generating electricity.
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.