Top Good News Stories: Environment And Renewable Energy

Global round up of all the top stories from November 2025.

29 Percent: That's the annual global growth rate of renewable additions between 2023 and 2025, putting tripling of worldwide capacity by 2030 within reach - and with it the chance to stay on track for the 1.5C climate pathway, says independent energy think-tank Ember. That's very good news.

Data Debunks Price Myth About The Clean Energy Transition: Certain climate skeptic politicians routinely peddle the narrative that the green energy transition is pushing up energy bills.

Aussie Renewables: Renewables surpass fossil fuels for an entire month in Australia’s power grid. For the first time, renewable energy out-generated fossil fuels across Australia’s eastern grid for a full month. In October 2025, renewables supplied 49.9 percent of electricity (four times their 2015 share) while fossil fuels provided 49.1 percent. The milestone reflects a structural shift powered by rooftop solar and wind.

South Korea: New law requires all parking lots be transformed into solar farms - unlike similar laws that have been proposed in the US, this new law doesn’t just apply to new construction; existing lots will have to comply as well.

Africa Renewables: The European Investment Bank (EIB) has pledged more than 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion) of financing for renewable energy projects on the African continent over the next two years. The projects will include hydroelectric, solar and wind power plants, as well as the expansion and upgrading of transmission and distribution facilities, the bank said in a statement.

Unexpected Leader in Clean Energy Deployment: Pakistan’s solar revolution demonstrates how market forces can accelerate renewable energy adoption faster than government policy.

Crucial Threshold: According to government and industry reports, India has reached a significant milestone in its energy transition journey. Just over half of the country’s total installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil sources. By comparison, India's achievement is roughly equivalent to that of the UK, whilst the USA gets about 45 percent of its energy from non-fossil sources. The global average is 41 percent.

Free Solar Electricity: Australia is producing so much solar power that it’s going to start giving it away to its citizens during the day.

Truly Circular: Scientists have used artificial intelligence to create an enzyme that can eat one of the toughest plastics on Earth: the kind used in foam mattresses and sneakers. Ars Technica reports that the enzyme breaks polyurethane down into reusable chemicals in just 12 hours at 50°C, turning it back into raw materials. Truly circular recycling.

COP30 Won't Save Us, But China Might: The world is benefitting from the world's first electrostate - and Earth will benefit because national (and personal) self-interest are finally aligning with climate action.

Bamboo to Bioplastic: Scientists at China’s Shenyang University of Chemical Engineering have created a method for turning cellulose from bamboo into a rigid plastic that is biodegradable and recyclable. Quick-growing bamboo is a renewable resource, and this bioplastic is tough enough to be used in cars, tools and appliances. The plastic is biodegradable within 50 days and keeps 90 percent of its original strength when recycled.

Earthshot Prize winners

Winners of The Earthshot Prize 2025: Launched in 2020 by Prince William, the award showcases solutions to environmental problems and helps their creators scale up by awarding them £1m each.

Fast-Fashion Waste: France has moved closer to becoming the first European country to regulate ultra-fast fashion companies. It’s one of the boldest policy moves yet from a major fashion market, sending a clear message that the era of unchecked disposable fashion may be coming to an end, says Forbes, adding that fashion is responsible for roughly 10 percent of global carbon emissions.

90 Percent: EU member states have backed a binding target to cut greenhouse gas emissions 90 percent below 1990 levels by 2040, a key step toward climate neutrality by 2050, the Council of the EU has announced.