As global temperatures continued to rise and extreme weather events became more frequent, 2024 also marked a year of notable achievements in the realm of climate and environmental protection. Here’s a look at seven impactful developments that may not have made headlines but represent significant progress for our planet.
The UK Phases Out Coal
In a historic move, the UK officially shut down its last coal-fired power plant in 2024, marking a pivotal moment for the nation that was the first to harness coal for public electricity generation during the industrial revolution. The Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant in Nottinghamshire ceased operations on September 30, with plans for a decommissioning process that could lead to its transformation into a battery storage facility, similar to the successful conversion of the Ferrybridge C plant in West Yorkshire.
A Global Shift Towards Renewables
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projected that the world would add an impressive 5,500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. While this growth is slightly below the UN’s ambitious goal to triple capacity by the end of the decade, it’s anticipated that renewable sources, particularly solar energy, will supply nearly half of global electricity. This surge is primarily driven by economic factors rather than government policies, as renewables have become the most cost-effective energy option in many countries.
Recognizing Nature’s Rights
In 2024, there was a notable expansion in the legal recognition of natural entities. Following earlier precedents in Ecuador, where mining violations against nature were ruled unlawful, other regions, including New Zealand, granted legal personhood to natural features. This included the peaks of Te Papakura o Taranaki, which are now recognized as ancestral mountains, affording them legal protections and acknowledging their intrinsic value.
Marine Protection in the Azores
The Azores announced a new marine protected area that will become the largest in the North Atlantic, safeguarding 30% of the waters surrounding the Portuguese archipelago. With stringent restrictions on fishing and resource extraction, this initiative aims to protect diverse marine ecosystems, including numerous species of fish and marine mammals.
Amazon Deforestation Declines
In a promising development, deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon fell to a nine-year low in 2024, with a reported decrease of over 30% in the year leading up to July. This reduction is attributed to concerted conservation efforts and policy changes implemented by the Brazilian government, despite an increase in wildfires due to drought conditions.
Conservation Success Stories
A comprehensive review of global conservation initiatives revealed that two-thirds of efforts aimed at biodiversity preservation have been successful. One notable case is the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative in Kazakhstan, which has helped the critically endangered Saiga Antelope population rebound from 20,000 in 2003 to nearly 2.86 million, shifting its status from “critically endangered” to “near threatened.”
Indigenous-Led Restoration Projects
In California, the Yurok Tribe’s long-standing efforts to restore wildlife on their lands culminated in the successful return of salmon to the Klamath River after a century-long absence. This significant ecological achievement followed the removal of four dams, the largest dam removal project in the U.S. Additionally, efforts to reintroduce California condors have shown promising results, with the tribe’s release program helping to boost the local condor population.
These positive strides indicate that, despite ongoing climate challenges, concerted efforts in renewable energy, legal recognition of nature, and community-led conservation initiatives are paving the way for a more sustainable future.
