Progress abounds ⚡🌍

Hi,

Here’s some good news to start the day:

• India added 25GW of new renewable energy capacity in the fiscal year to end-March, a 35% increase from the prior year, government data shows.

• South Korea says it aims to quadruple its renewable energy capacity over the next 13 years, to 122GW.

• Japan’s power sector emissions have declined 25% since 2012 thanks to the country’s solar boom and nuclear recovery, Ember data shows.

• China’s battery storage capacity more than doubled in 2024 to reach 62GW/141GWh.

• At 7am on Saturday morning, big batteries in South Australia made up 37% of the state’s power output, a new record.

• The Australian government has introduced a A$2.3 billion subsidy plan to accelerate home battery installations across the country.

• Europe now has 89GW of energy storage capacity, says industry body EASE, which expects another 128GW of batteries to be connected to the bloc’s power grid over the next five years.

• Wolf populations in Europe have increased nearly 60% in a decade thanks to conservation efforts, according to a Swedish study.

Know anyone else who’d be interested in signing up to this free newsletter? They can do so here.

And if you’d like to get in touch, email us at [email protected].

Thanks for reading.

Nick Hedley

Editor, The Progress Playbook

Wildlife crossings are multiplying in number and impact

Wildlife crossings — which allow animals to safely pass under or over highways — are growing increasingly common in some parts of the world. That’s a win for conservation efforts, recent studies show.

- Read the full story here.

Clean sources made up 41% of the world’s electricity mix in 2024

That’s up from 39.4% the year before (and 32.8% in 2014), with the growth driven largely by the ongoing surge in solar installations. Solar’s share of the overall mix reached 6.9% last year, up from just 0.8% in 2014.

- Read the full story here.

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

How Wales is building a sharing economy through its ‘libraries of things’

Wales has 28 ‘libraries of things’ dotted across the country, with more in the pipeline. These facilities cut down on waste and improve access to things like tools and carpet cleaners. Here’s the story of how the movement came about and what other countries can learn from it.

- Read the full story here.

Clean sources produce over 50% of US electricity for the first month on record

The milestone was achieved largely thanks to an increase in wind and solar power, which reached a record 24.4% of US electrical output in March.

- Read the full story here.

Other articles you might find interesting:

• In numbers: Africa’s off-grid solar revolution is boosting electricity access

• How the Netherlands built a thriving circular economy

• China’s EV boom set to push gasoline demand off a cliff

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

• In numbers: China hits fresh milestones in its energy transition

• New Zealand inches closer to 100% renewable electricity

Help us grow and maximise our impact via a voluntary monthly subscription facilitated by Google. Simply follow the link above and click on the ‘Contribute with Google’ button.

Have any tips, ideas or feedback for us? Please contact: [email protected].