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Happy Wednesday,

Some good news to kick things off:

• At one point on Saturday, solar panels on the roofs of homes and businesses provided 55% of Australia's electricity needs (on the country's main grid).

• In September, a record 1.7 million electric cars were sold globally, an increase of 31% from a year before.

• Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon was down 30% in September compared to a year before.

• California now has 13.4GW of battery storage capacity, a 30% increase in just six months.

• Across all OECD countries, renewables and nuclear now comprise 49% of total electricity generation, per IEA data.

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Thanks for reading.

Nick Hedley

Editor, The Progress Playbook

China’s emissions have flatlined amid blistering renewables rollout

China’s carbon emissions fell by 1% in the second quarter of 2024 and were flat in the third quarter, providing another indication that emissions may have already peaked amid a clean energy boom.

- Read the full story here.

Octopus Energy now lets homes donate their excess solar to those who need it

London-based Octopus Energy now allows households in the UK that generate more solar power than they need to donate it to families who are struggling financially.

- Read the full story here.

 *Updated with fresh data: How Finland won the war on homelessness (mostly) 

Finland has all but won the war on homelessness thanks largely to its focus on providing long-term solutions, rather than temporary ones.

- Read the full story here.

A message from our partner, Plentify, which offers intelligent ways to optimise home energy and load management.

In numbers: India’s solar energy revolution is now in full swing

India is in the midst of a solar energy revolution that’s leading to downward pressure on fossil fuel consumption in the world’s most populated country, new data shows.

- Read the full story here.

Chris Bruntlett | How Lithuania’s capital is transforming itself into the “Amsterdam of the North”

Late last year, the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius was elected European Green Capital for 2025. And while much of that decision was centred around the city’s efforts in renewable energy, biodiversity restoration, and climate adaption, its bold initiatives in the field of sustainable mobility deserve equal recognition, writes Chris Bruntlett.

- Read the full story here.

Here’s how the world’s biggest heat pump will work

Chemicals giant BASF has received a funding commitment from the German government to help it build the world’s largest industrial heat pump.

- This is how it’ll work.

Other articles you might find interesting:

• The EU got 52% of its electricity from renewables in second quarter of 2024

• Urban green spaces reduce heat-related deaths and boost wellbeing, study finds

• These countries are leading the way to 100% renewable electricity

• Cape Town’s iconic Bree Street trials car-free Sundays

• A how-to guide for climate tech start-ups

• New York City’s new solar-powered school buses will support the grid too

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