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Renewable energy overtakes coal as global electricity leader
In 2025, wind, solar, and other renewable sources surpassed coal to become the world's primary electricity provider, marking a historic shift. China drove much of this growth, expanding its clean energy output and dominating exports of related technologies. The country also pioneered typhoon-resistant wind farms to harness extreme weather.
Other nations made strides as well. The UK reported wind power as its largest energy source in 2024, meeting roughly a third of demand, while coal use nearly vanished. To address intermittency, the UK began constructing the world's largest liquid-air battery storage facility in its northern region.
Globally, renewable capacity growth accelerated in over 80% of countries. The International Energy Agency projects capacity will double by 2030. China's emissions declined for the first time this year, suggesting a potential peak, though analysts caution it's too early to confirm a long-term trend. Despite progress, the pace of clean energy expansion remains insufficient to avert severe climate impacts.
High seas protection expands with landmark treaty
After years of negotiations, the High Seas Treaty entered into force in September 2025, following ratification by enough nations. The agreement commits to designating 30% of the high seas-nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans-as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to safeguard habitats and ecosystems. Currently, only 1% of these waters are protected.
National waters also saw gains. French Polynesia established the world's largest MPA in its Tainui Atea region, covering 1.1 million square kilometers (425,000 square miles).
Forests gain ground amid global deforestation slowdown
Brazil's COP30, dubbed the "forest COP," prioritized Amazon conservation. While the country fell short of full implementation, it unveiled a roadmap to end deforestation by 2030, backed by over 90 nations. The plan remains non-binding, however, with unclear legal standing.
Brazil also launched the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), a $125 billion fund to incentivize forest preservation over destruction. Unlike traditional funds that reward emissions reductions, TFFF compensates verified efforts to maintain existing forests. Pledges currently total $6.7 billion.
On-the-ground progress included an 11% drop in Amazon deforestation in the year leading to July 2025-the lowest rate in 11 years. Deforestation in Brazil's Cerrado ecosystem also declined. Globally, deforestation rates fell 38% between 2015-2025 compared to 1990-2000, though 10.9 million hectares (26.9 million acres) are still lost annually, per a 2025 UN report.
Legal and species victories offer hope for biodiversity
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled this year that nations can sue each other over climate harm, a decision hailed as a "watershed legal moment" by environmental advocates. While non-binding, the ruling could influence future climate litigation.
Conservation efforts yielded tangible results for endangered species. Green turtles, once hunted for eggs and shells, were reclassified from "endangered" to "least concern" on the IUCN Red List after decades of protection. Florida recorded over 2,000 leatherback turtle nests, a record high.
India now hosts 75% of the world's tigers, with its population doubling to 3,600 in just over a decade. Conservation programs reduced poaching and human-wildlife conflict across 138,200 square kilometers (53,400 square miles), offering a model for balancing biodiversity and community needs.
Indigenous rights gain formal recognition at UN
At February's COP16 biodiversity summit, indigenous peoples secured a permanent role in global conservation decision-making. A new UN committee replaced their previously informal status, formalizing their leadership in environmental stewardship.
The momentum carried into COP30, where a record 2,500 indigenous delegates attended. Outcomes included new funding pledges and commitments to recognize land rights. Brazil designated 10 new indigenous territories during the summit, though activists warn promises often fail to translate into action. Violence against indigenous communities persists, with a Guarani Kaiowá leader killed in southern Brazil during the conference.
Salmon return to Klamath River after dam removals
One year after the removal of four dams along California's Klamath River, salmon have reclaimed historic spawning grounds. "Salmon are everywhere on the landscape right now," said Michael Harris of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The dams, which had polluted the river for decades, were dismantled in 2024 following a tribal-led campaign, restoring the river's free flow.
