Positive climate news from 2024

In July, the UK welcomed a new era of Labour government led by Sir Keir Starmer. This Government has already issued several edicts to tackle climate change and promote new jobs and energy security, including an end to the ban on new onshore wind projects and a pledge not to issue any new oil or gas exploration licenses in the North Sea.  

At COP29, the PM also announced a higher target for emissions reduction than had existed under the previous Conservative government. His statement to the conference announced an intention to ‘reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% on 1990 levels’ by 2035.

In September 2024, the UK became the first G7 nation to fully divest itself of coal-generated electricity when the doors of the last remaining coal-fired power plant closed for the final time. The last coal-fired power plant – in Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire – first opened in 1967, but the nation’s history with burning coal for power goes all the way back to 1882.

The closure is a huge milestone in our relationship with fossil fuels and how the country is powered. Each year, we see an -increasing amount of renewable generators come online in the UK. In fact, half of the UK’s electricity during April 2024 came from renewable sources.

Photo credit: Toby Smith

‘Rewilding’ is a growing movement in the UK. Looking after our native habitats is a vital part of the fight against climate change as these eco-systems naturally remove carbon from our atmosphere whilst also playing a part in flood mitigation, improved water quality, and more.

As a direct result of years of campaigning by students and staff in the education sector, three quarters of UK universities have committed to fully divest from fossil fuels.

Student-led campaign group People & Planet set up the Fossil Free Universities campaign in 2013. Through bringing stories from the front-line of the climate crisis to the attention of decision-makers at UK universitities, they’ve persuaded 115 out of 149 universities to divest from fossil fuels in their investment portfolios – worth a huge £17.7bn.

A record amount of renewable electricity was generated in 2024 as 30% of the world’s electricity was generated from renewables, particularly solar and wind. That figure reached just over 50% in the EU in the first half of the year, with Portugal running on just renewables for six full days. Outside of Europe, Costa Rica continues to be an inspiration in this area too, with hydropower a key element in their renewable mix.

Electric vehicle uptake continued to increase in 2024, a good sign for air quality around the world. China’s EV investment escalated in 2024 with high levels of EV sales, a growing fast-charging network, and an auto industry that’s heavily investing in EV technology. Chinese brands like BYD are becoming more common on UK roads too, alongside an increasing number of electric cars from already popular brands. In Europe, Norway passed a major milestone this year – electric cars now outnumber petrol and diesel vehicles on their roads.

Some of the most positive news about climate change comes from the effort and commitment people around the world put into raising awareness and taking the fight forwards. In Hawaii, a group of young activists won when they challenged their state’s approach to the decarbonisation of the transportation system, arguing for a prioritisation of a commitment to zero emissions.

Greenpeace was successful this year in Canada and South Africa as they sought to tackle and raise awareness of greenwashing. And, as always, inspirational Greta Thunberg has been busy in 2024.