Despite rising global temperatures and increasing extreme weather events, 2024 brought significant breakthroughs for climate and nature.
Here are seven impactful developments that may have slipped under the radar.
1. The UK Says Goodbye to Coal
In a historic move, the UK closed its last coal-fired power plant in 2024, marking the end of an era for a nation that pioneered coal-powered public electricity. On September 30, the turbines at the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant ceased operation, and its chimneys emitted their final plumes. The site is now set for a two-year decommissioning process, with potential plans to transform it into a battery storage facility, as was done at West Yorkshire’s Ferrybridge C plant. This shift highlights how decommissioned fossil fuel sites are becoming key locations for renewable energy storage.
2. Renewables Soar Globally
Renewable energy capacity continues to expand rapidly worldwide. In April, wind energy generation in the US surpassed coal-fired generation, setting a new record. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable capacity is expected to grow by 2.7 times by 2030, with nearly half of the world’s electricity coming from renewables by the decade's end. China plays a dominant role, forecasted to account for over 50% of the global renewable electricity capacity by 2030. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol attributes this growth to economic factors, noting that solar power has become the cheapest energy source in most countries.
3. Legal Personhood for Nature
In 2024, various natural features were granted legal personhood, recognizing their intrinsic rights. In Ecuador, a court ruling affirmed that pollution of the Machángara River violated its rights. Similarly, New Zealand granted personhood to the peaks of Egmont National Park, now collectively known as Te Kāhui Tupua. In Brazil, waves along Linhares’ coastline were recognized as living entities, and a treaty led by Pacific Indigenous leaders acknowledged whales and dolphins as legal persons. Advocates argue that legal personhood helps protect nature by shifting the focus to its intrinsic value rather than framing harm in terms of human losses.
4. New Marine Protections in the Azores
The Azores announced plans for a massive marine protected area (MPA), covering 30% of the surrounding North Atlantic waters. Half of this area will be fully protected, prohibiting fishing and resource extraction, while the other half will be highly regulated. This region, home to hydrothermal vents, marine mammals, and diverse fish species, represents a significant step in conserving ocean biodiversity. MPAs are effective tools for preserving ecosystems when restrictions are enforced, though currently only 2.8% of the world’s oceans are effectively protected.
5. Amazon Deforestation Reaches Nine-Year Low
In the 12 months leading to July 2024, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon dropped by over 30%, hitting its lowest level since 2015. Despite severe droughts fueling an 18-fold increase in fires, the annual loss of rainforest was significantly reduced. This milestone comes nearly two years after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vowed to end deforestation by 2030 and combat illegal logging.
6. Conservation Success Stories
A global review of 665 conservation initiatives revealed that two-thirds were effective in reversing biodiversity loss. One standout example is the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative in Kazakhstan, which helped save the critically endangered Saiga antelope. Through habitat restoration and scientific monitoring, the antelope population rebounded from 20,000 in 2003 to 2.86 million today, leading to its reclassification from "critically endangered" to "near threatened."
7. Indigenous Efforts Revive Wildlife
In California, Indigenous-led conservation projects achieved remarkable milestones in 2024. Salmon returned to Oregon’s Klamath River after a century-long absence, following the removal of four dams on the river. This marked the largest dam removal project in US history. The Yurok Tribe, which led the effort, was amazed by the rapid return and range of salmon. Additionally, the tribe’s long-standing program to reintroduce California condors continued its success, with 18 condors now thriving in Yurok territory.
These quiet yet impactful developments demonstrate that progress for climate and nature is possible. From advancements in renewable energy to innovative conservation strategies, these wins provide hope and highlight the importance of continued efforts to protect the planet.
