Positive Climate Stories in February
Amid the climate challenges, February has brought a series of encouraging developments. From new job opportunities in green industries to groundbreaking legal rulings, these stories remind us that positive change is underway. Let’s dive into this month’s positive climate news.
1. The green sector is growing three time faster than the overall UK economy
New analysis from the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit found that the net zero sector is growing at triple the rate of the UK’s economy, creating high-paying jobs across the country while cutting emissions and increasing energy security.
Green sectors such as clean energy, EVs, green finance and railways are growing expandingly, with a growth of 10% in 2024 and 9% in 2023. They employ almost a million people in full-time jobs, with the average annual wage being £43,000 – £5,600 higher than the national average.
“This analysis demonstrates that growing the UK's net zero sector is not only crucial to reach our emissions reduction goals – from decarbonising the grid to producing green hydrogen solutions to decarbonise shipping and aviation – but also for providing high-paying jobs across the breadth of the country,” says our Policy Officer, Nuala Doyle.
Green sectors also help balance job distribution, which is often concentrated in London and the South East. Net zero jobs are spread across the UK, with the largest hotspots in the West Midlands, Yorkshire, the Humber, and South West England, as well as increasingly in Scotland.
“With hubs of activity in the net zero economy stretching from Scotland to the South West of England, the report highlights the important role that the net zero economy is playing in ensuring a just transition away from polluting industries for workers and communities, while developing the solutions needed to decarbonise our economy,” says Nuala.
Other countries have also seen the net zero sector boosting their economy. In 2024, China’s clean energy sector accounted for 10% of GDP, thanks to high investments in EVs and solar power. While these investments align with climate goals, they also serve financial and political interests, particularly by reducing oil imports. Expanding clean energy comes with an additional advantage: strengthening energy security.
2. ‘Skills passport’: the UK is helping oil and gas workers to switch to green energy careers
The UK government is launching ‘skills passports’ and regional investments to help oil and gas workers transfer into clean energy jobs. This is part of its plan to reach clean power by 2030, which includes at least 95% of electricity generation coming from low-carbon sources.
Skills passports are a digital tool to help identify routes into offshore wind, including construction and maintenance, with plans to expand later this year to other renewable sectors. The passport shows where existing qualifications are recognised. Research from Offshore energies UK estimates that 90% of oil and gas workers have skills that are relevant to the clean energy transitions.
Regional investments worth almost £4 million will be directed towards helping workers transition in four key regions: Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire. These places have been identified as key growth regions for clean energy with flourishing offshore wind, nuclear and solar industries.
The Climate Change Committee's 2023 report found that the net zero transition could create between 135,000 and 725,000 new jobs in low-carbon sectors by 2030, outpacing job losses. But for that, UK workers need continuous support in this transition.
🔔 The first stage of a new website to help workers move around the UK’s energy mix, including oil and gas and offshore wind, has been launched today by Offshore Energies UK (@OEUK_) and RenewableUK, supported by the UK and Scottish Governments 🔔
— RenewableUK (@RenewableUK) January 22, 2025
The Energy Skills Passport… pic.twitter.com/qlMWp3JAen
3. Europe’s highest court recognises environmental pollution as a human rights violation and holds government accountable
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled for the first time that a country’s failure to address environmental pollution is a violation of article 2, the right to life.
This decision sets the standard in the obligation of the state to protect its citizens from the negative impact of atmospheric pollution.
This ruling is a result of a case brought by a group of Italian citizens as illegal dumping and burning of waste in the Campania region is having devastating impacts on their health. Despite being aware of the issue for years, the government had done nothing and was recognised guilty of failing to protect Campania residents.
This ruling from the ECHR looks set to change that. The court instructed Italy to tackle the issue in the affected region, known as the "Land of Fires," but also to create a public information platform on pollution levels so that citizens can continuously assess the risks to their health.
And the wider implications are encouraging too, with this case marking the start of a new approach to European states' pollution responsibilities, and experts predicting that this victory will boost climate litigation in Europe.
4. Ecuador grants legal rights to marine ecosystems
Ecuador once again made history in environmental protection by granting legal rights to its marine ecosystems, recognising their right to maintain natural life cycles and processes.
This ruling builds on Ecuador’s groundbreaking 2008 constitution. This was the first in the world – and so far, the only – to recognise and protect the rights of nature at a Constitutional level. However, until now, the rights of nature had been centred on ecosystems on lands and wild animals. The new ruling extends these rights to marine life, underscoring its importance for a healthy planet.
Ecuador, home to the Galapagos Islands and a rich abundance of marine life, has a vital coastal and marine environment to protect. Tens of thousands of people also depend on these ecosystems for food and livelihoods.
The decision is expected to pave the way for challenging harmful activities like overfishing and fossil fuel development, both in Ecuador and beyond.
5. France’s new law against ‘forever chemicals’ sets a precedent
PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals’ are synthetic chemicals used in products like waterproof clothing, non-stick cookware, and cosmetics. They persist in the environment and the human body, leading to widespread contamination – from drinking water to the food chain. They have recently been extensively found in drinking water across France and Europe. Exposure is linked to severe health issues such as liver damage, high cholesterol, immune suppression, fertility issues, and cancer.
In response to this growing concern, French lawmakers have passed one of the most ambitious laws to date aimed at restricting their use. Starting in 2026, the manufacture, import, and sale of PFAS in products like cosmetics and textiles will be banned. Regular PFAS testing in drinking water will become mandatory, and a ‘polluter pays’ tax will charge €100 per 100 grams of PFAS discharged into water, helping fund decontamination efforts.
This law, which was swiftly implemented thanks to pressure from NGOs, scientists, and journalists, is a significant step forward, although it has notable shortcomings. It excludes industrial uses, despite PFAS being heavily employed in sectors like automotive and electronics. Additionally, non-stick cookware was originally included in the ban but was removed following intense lobbying from Tefal.
Last month, health and environmental organisations across Europe jointly urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take stronger action on PFAS. The process for an EU-wide restriction is underway, with a proposal expected by 2027. Given that PFAS are now found in human blood, drinking water, and even Mount Everest, faster action is crucial, and France’s law offers a promising example for other nations to follow.
What positive climate stories have lifted your spirits this month? Share it with us on X, Bluesky or LinkedIn and we’ll help to spread the word.
