While 2025 has continued to bring serious concerns about rising emissions and declining biodiversity, the year also delivered several meaningful yet underreported victories for climate and nature. Across clean energy, ocean protection, and conservation, targeted global efforts have produced real results that deserve attention.
These quieter successes may not dominate headlines, but they signal genuine momentum toward a more sustainable future. From record-breaking renewable energy growth to stronger ocean protections, here are some of the most encouraging environmental milestones of 2025 Renewable Energy Surpasses Coal Worldwide
One of the most significant developments this year is that renewable energy sources—such as wind and solar—have overtaken coal as the world’s leading source of electricity. This shift marks a major turning point in the global energy system.
China has played a central role in this transformation by rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity and leading exports of clean-energy technologies. Alongside massive solar growth, China has invested in typhoon-resistant wind farms, allowing energy generation even during extreme weather.
Other countries are also making notable progress. In the UK, wind power became the largest single source of electricity, meeting nearly one-third of national demand. Coal power has almost completely disappeared. The UK is also improving energy storage by beginning construction on the world’s largest liquid-air battery facility, designed to store renewable energy when wind or sunlight is unavailable.
Globally, renewable power capacity is accelerating in more than 80% of countries. According to the International Energy Agency, total renewable capacity is on track to double by 2030 compared to current levels.
Importantly, China recorded a year-on-year decline in CO₂ emissions for the first time, suggesting its emissions may be reaching a peak. While this alone will not prevent dangerous climate impacts, it creates conditions for a future global decline in fossil fuel use.
