New Zealand to ban single-use plastic bags by next year
Single-use plastic bags are among the most common items found in coastal litter in New Zealand.
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.
France approves bids for solar power projects of 720MW capacity
The ground solar projects, which could provide power for around 100,000 homes annually, are part of the government’s plan announced in 2016 to add 3,000 MW of solar capacity to France’s energy mix by 2020.
World now has 1 TW of wind and solar capacity, 2 TW expected in 2023
The capital expenditure for constructing these plants totalled USD 2.3 trillion (EUR 1.99tr), while the next 1 TW of capacity will cost 46% less.
5,500 U.K. churches are now using renewable energy
Churches are also shunning the most polluting fossil fuels in their investment portfolios, which are typically used to fund the retirement of clergy and upkeep of church buildings.
Lloyds Banking Group halts financing for new coal plants
Banking giant will no longer finance coal-fired power stations or thermal coal mines in support of Paris Agreement goals
New ‘flow battery’ could power green homes when the sun goes down and the wind stops blowing
Researchers report the discovery of a potentially cheap, organic molecule that can power a flow battery for years instead of days.
Green light given for a 100MF solar farm in Australia – the country’s largest ever
French renewable energy producer Neoen announced that full construction on Victoria’ Numurkah Solar Farm is ready to commence this week.
McDonald’s and Starbucks are joining forces to build a fully recyclable, compostable cup of the future
Starbucks and McDonald are teaming up on sustainable cups and inviting all of their competitors in the industry to join in.
China set to exceed 210 gigawatt wind power target by 2020
China will surpass its national cumulative wind power target of 210 gigawatts (GW) by 2020 and install more than 20 GW per year on average over the next 10 years.
The island of Samoa to go 100% renewable by 2025
The local utility has worked with Tesla to install a key piece of that plan, battery storage, and also a software system that can control Samoa’s entire electricity supply.