Weekly successes in climate action: Notable triumph for climate equality, along with further achievements

In the realm of sustainability and environmental conservation, several significant developments have taken place around the globe. Here's a snapshot of some of the most noteworthy happenings.

Bike-Friendly Cities

The People For Bikes large cities index has identified bike-friendly cities primarily in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and Denmark as the best bike-friendly cities in the world. Notably, Paris has been crowned the world's best city to cycle in, thanks to the city's extensive network of bike lanes. The direction of travel is clear: Europe's cities are becoming more bike-friendly.

Climate Action and International Law

In a landmark legal decision, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, has stated that governments failing to curb emissions, approve new fossil fuel projects, and roll out public money for oil and gas could be in breach of international law. The ICJ's ruling, while non-binding, is expected to have major consequences. The case was brought to the ICJ by law students and activists in the low-lying Pacific nation of Vanuatu.

Health Benefits of Walking

A study published in The Lancet has revised the recommended daily step count for health benefits, setting it at 7,000 steps. Walking 7,000 steps a day is linked to a 25% lower risk of dying of cardiovascular disease compared to walking 2,000 steps. Furthermore, research shows that the risk of developing dementia, depression, and cancer is also lower by 38%, 22%, and 6% respectively for those walking 7,000 steps a day. However, a health study considered the 10,000 step guide a marketing gimmick, with limited evidence of its health benefits.

Environmental Conservation and Renewable Energy

Research showed that renewables accounted for 92.5% of all new electricity capacity in 2024. The plummeting cost of renewables has made clean energy "smart economics" according to UN secretary-general António Guterres. A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) found that 91% of renewable power projects commissioned in 2024 were more cost effective than fossil-fuel alternatives.

Marine Protected Areas and Wildlife Recovery

Two marine reserves have been created in the Mediterranean Sea by the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to protect 30% of the country's waters by 2030. This move is expected to aid the recovery of marine life, including the crane, a bird that was eaten to extinction in Scotland, which is staging a "remarkable" comeback due to ongoing efforts to restore wetland habitats. A record number of breeding pairs of cranes have been reported across the UK, including in Scotland.

In America's oldest national park, Yellowstone, aspen trees are standing tall again following the reintroduction of wolves. The reintroduction of wolves, along with bears and cougars, has led to a decrease in elk numbers and the maturity of aspen trees.

Regulatory Changes

Firms in the Canadian province Ontario will be obliged to notify candidates about the status of their application within 45 days under new rules coming into effect in 2026. The new rules will also oblige firms to outline salary details in adverts and disclose whether artificial intelligence is used in the hiring process.

The Woodland Trust's tree of the year competition has shortlisted a cedar that The Beatles climbed, an oak featured in Virginia Woolf's literature, and a beech from the final scenes of the film 1917. The annual competition aims to raise awareness about rare, ancient, or at-risk trees across the UK and is open for voting.

These developments underscore the global commitment towards sustainability, renewable energy, and environmental conservation. As we move forward, it's clear that these initiatives will continue to shape our world for the better.