Positive Sustainability News Stories: 2025 roundup

7 January 2026

In the world of climate action, it’s crucial not only to understand the challenges we face but also to reflect on the progress being made towards a more sustainable future.

While there is plenty to be done in 2026 to progress global climate action, 2025 delivered encouraging progress - from renewables overtaking coal globally, to new UK clean-energy jobs, stronger ocean protections, ambitious tree-planting plans, and clear evidence that sustainability drives business success.

These stories remind us that change is happening and that 2026 is a year to build on it.

GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION

Renewables become leading source of global electricity

In the first half of 2025, renewable energy sources generated more electricity globally than coal for the first time. This historic milestone in the clean energy transition was driven by major increases in solar and wind power generation, particularly in China and India.

While faster action is needed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet 2030 renewable energy targets, this milestone is worth celebrating as it shows a promising move towards cleaner power sources.

New ‘skills passport’ to support UK's clean energy transition

Under the UK government’s Plan for Change, oil and gas industry workers will be supported by government-backed training programmes, enabling them to seize thousands of new job opportunities in the clean energy sector. As part of this initiative, the Energy Skills Passport was launched in early 2025 to help oil and gas workers identify pathways into various roles in offshore wind (RenewableUK, 2025; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 2025).

Research commissioned by OEUK (2025) indicates that 90% of oil and gas workers possess skills that are transferable to renewable energy. This scheme aims to support the UK's energy transition and ensure that workers are not left behind.

Wind turbines representing the UK’s clean energy transition and new training pathways into offshore wind.

Solar panels generating clean electricity, highlighting renewables becoming the world’s leading source of power in 2025.

CONSERVATION & BIODIVERSITY

Ocean protection: High Seas Treaty comes into force

After more than a decade of negotiations, in September 2025, the High Seas Treaty was finally ratified by enough countries to bring it into force - meaning those countries have agreed to be legally bound by it (High Seas Alliance, 2025).

The Treaty pledges to place 30% of high seas (waters that sit outside of national jurisdictions) into Marine Protected Areas by 2030, in order to conserve their important habitats, species, and ecosystems. As over 60 countries have now ratified the Treaty, it is scheduled to become international law on 17 January 2026 - a fantastic way to start the year.

New national forest to be planted in the UK

The UK Government plans to create the Western Forest, England's first new national forest in 30 years, stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendip Hills near Bristol (Forest of Avon, 2025; DEFRA, 2025).

The project will plant 20 million trees across 2,500 hectares in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset by 2050 (WENP, 2025). It aims to improve soil health, reduce flooding, and create wildlife habitats, contributing to the UK’s goal of protecting 30% of land by 2030 and reaching 16.5% forest cover by 2050 (DEFRA, 2025). Led by the Forest of Avon Trust, the forest is expected to sequester 2.5 million tonnes of CO2, supporting net-zero targets (WENP, 2025).

Sharks swimming through kelp forests, representing ocean biodiversity and the High Seas Treaty entering into force to protect marine ecosystems beyond national waters.

UK woodland landscape representing the new Western Forest, a national forest project planting 20 million trees to restore habitats and capture carbon.

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY

88% of companies see sustainability as a value driver

Beyond being good for the planet, sustainability enables long-term business success. According to a 2025 report from Morgan Stanley, 88% of companies now see sustainability as a driver of value rather than just a risk safeguard.

The report highlights that profitability and growth are increasingly tied to strong ESG strategies, with 83% of organisations able to measure returns on these investments. At the same time, more than half of businesses faced physical climate-related impacts in the past year. In response, 80% are prioritising resilience, highlighting sustainability’s role as both a business necessity and a strategic growth lever.

Sustainability jobs in growing demand among UK school leavers

Recent research from E.ON (2025) shows growing demand for sustainability jobs among UK school leavers, with many wanting to start green careers immediately to help tackle the climate crisis.

More than half (52%) of those surveyed see sustainable roles as more valuable than other jobs, and 54% would avoid employers that lack strong environmental credentials. Pride in making a difference, helping the planet, and strong earning potential drive this interest.

Decarbonisation delivers returns for businesses

A recent survey by Boston Consulting Group and CO2 AI finds that 82% of companies have achieved economic benefits from decarbonising their operations, with 6% of respondents reporting returns greater than 10% of annual revenue (Dimitrova et al., 2025).

The results suggest that decarbonisation is not just an environmental imperative but can drive financial gains too, improving efficiency, reducing costs and potentially enhancing competitiveness. The findings challenge the idea that decarbonisation is a drag on business, showing instead that well-executed sustainability strategies can yield both climate and commercial wins.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2025). Support for workers to benefit from thousands of clean power jobs. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/support-for-workers-to-benefit-from-thousands-of-clean-power-jobs.

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (2025). Government to plant first National Forest in 30 years. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-plant-first-national-forest-in-30-years.

Dimitrova, D., Degot, C., Maher, H., Meinecke, H., O’Brien, C., Russell, R. and Siddiqui, H. (2025). How Companies Are Tackling the Climate Challenge—and Creating Value. [online] BCG Global. Available at: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/tackling-climate-challenge-creating-value.

E.ON (2025). One in three school leavers plan to skip university after school as demand for green jobs grows | E.ON News. [online] E.ON News. Available at: https://news.eonenergy.com/news/one-in-three-school-leavers-plan-to-skip-university-after-school-as-demand-for-green-jobs-grows.

Forest of Avon (2025). Western Forest - Forest of Avon. [online] Forest of Avon. Available at: https://forestofavon.org/western-forest/.

George, S. (2026). Survey: UK school leavers keen to enter green jobs right away. [online] Edie.net. Available at: https://www.edie.net/survey-uk-school-leavers-keen-to-enter-green-jobs-right-away/.

High Seas Alliance (2025). HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR GLOBAL OCEAN PROTECTION: 60th ratification triggers entry into force of High Seas Treaty - High Seas Alliance. [online] High Seas Alliance. Available at: https://highseasalliance.org/2025/09/19/historic-milestone-for-global-ocean-protection-60th-ratification-triggers-entry-into-force-of-high-seas-treaty/.

Mittal, S. (2025). Government announces plan to create new national forest with 20 million trees. [online] edie. Available at: https://www.edie.net/government-announces-plans-to-create-new-national-forest-with-20-million-trees/.

Morgan Stanley (2025). Companies’ Views on Sustainability. [online] Morgan Stanley. Available at: https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/articles/corporate-sustainability-signals-report-2025.

Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) (2025). Energy Skills Passport launches, helping workers transition across the energy mix. [online] Offshore Energies UK (OEUK). Available at: https://oeuk.org.uk/energy-skills-passport-launches-helping-workers-transition-across-the-energy-mix/.

RenewableUK (2025). Energy Skills Passport goes live, enabling workers to build new careers across the energy mix. [online] Renewableuk.com. Available at: https://www.renewableuk.com/news-and-resources/press-releases/energy-skills-passport-goes-live-enabling-workers-to-build-new-careers-across-the-energy-mix/.

West of England Nature Partnership (2025). WENP. [online] Wenp.org.uk. Available at: https://www.wenp.org.uk/priority-programmes/western-forest.

Wiatros-Motyka, M. and Rangelova, K. (2025). Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2025 | Ember. [online] Ember. Available at: https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-mid-year-insights-2025/.

EnvironmentWilson & Ward CreativeJanuary 7, 2026Good News, Green Energy, Biodiversity