Although the failure of the global plastics treaty last December suggests 2024 ended at an environmental low point, in fact, the year still brought many instances of progress towards a more sustainable world.

Gathered in Busan, South Korea, in early December, representatives from over 140 countries were unable to reach a consensus over the so-called plastic pollution treaty. This was supposed to be the fifth and final round of negotiations, with an aim to have a legally binding document that could come into play this year. As negotiations stalled, the leaders decided to press pause and resume debates in 2025, although an exact date has yet to be announced.

Other relevant environmental events coming up this year include COP30, taking place in Brazil in November, and the Global Climate Action Summit, set for September. Both are expected to be important milestones in the world’s path to minimizing the effects of climate change.

With the idea of stepping into 2025 with optimism, we are taking a look at some of the environmental high points of the year that just ended. While it sometimes seems like no progress is being made in terms of global pacts and treaties, hundreds of positive ‘green’ steps are taken daily, both on a small and large scale, that suggest there is cause for hope.

Renewable energy is on the rise

More than 30% of the world's electricity now comes from renewables, according to a report published in 2024 by energy think tank Ember. Wind and solar electricity have grown to an all-time high across the world, with Europe well in the lead. In fact, for the first time renewable sources generated more of the EU’s electricity than fossil fuels.

More climate disasters, fewer deaths

Global warming is still contributing to a significant increase in extreme climate events, but the UN’s office for disaster risk reduction has said that fewer people are dying from these disasters. Better warning systems, planning, and preparation around the world have helped reduce the deadly impact of these extreme events, which have claimed thousands of lives over the years.

Climate policies are becoming popular

Climate policies from governments around the world doubled between 2023 and 2024, according to a study published last year. These efforts are aimed at ending deforestation, reducing food waste, restoring ecosystems, lowering agricultural emissions and rolling out nature-based climate solutions.

Three wins for Ecuador

Can a river have rights? In Ecuador, the answer to that question is yes. An Ecuadorian court ruled last July that pollution has violated the rights of the Machángara River, which runs through Quito. This ruling could be an important precedent for environmental law and protection in the future. This year was also big for the Galápagos, Ecuador’s unique nature reserve: Scientists found the first nursery for hammerhead sharks in the Galápagos only a few months after a charm of finches were successfully reintroduced to the islands. Finches were famously studied by Charles Darwin in his theory of evolution, making their ‘return’ to the archipelago a very meaningful milestone.

Trees are making a comeback

“I’ve always said ‘If we can’t protect the tree in front of our home, we’ll never be able to protect the Amazon’,” said activist Arturo Hernández to the Los Angeles Times when explaining why he launched a ‘Tree Army’ in Mexico City that aims to protect, restore and plant trees in the Mexican capital. Meanwhile, in Colombia, urban forests are helping keep cities cool and green in the midst of rising temperatures.