10 sustainability stories from 2025 that gave me hope

As we approach the close of the year, I am excited to continue our tradition of highlighting 10 sustainability stories that gave me hope throughout the year.

2025 reminded us that progress on sustainability rarely comes in perfect conditions. While geopolitical tension, climate impacts, and economic uncertainty persisted, the year also delivered concrete advances that deserve recognition. These stories stood out not because they solve everything, but because they prove that coordinated action still works.

1. Renewables became the world’s largest source of electricity

In 2025, renewable energy officially surpassed coal as the largest source of global electricity generation. Driven largely by solar and wind capacity additions in China, India, and the United States, this milestone marks a structural shift in the global energy system rather than a temporary trend.

2. The High Seas Treaty can enter into force

After decades of negotiation, the UN High Seas Treaty reached the ratification threshold in 2025 and will enter into force in early 2026. For the first time, nearly two thirds of the ocean now have a legal framework for biodiversity protection, including marine protected areas and environmental impact assessments.

3. Green sea turtles downgraded from endangered status

The IUCN announced that green sea turtles no longer qualify as endangered globally. Decades of beach protection, fishing regulation, and international cooperation demonstrate that species recovery is possible when conservation is sustained and science based.

4. Global investment in clean energy hits a new record

Clean energy investments exceeded $386 billion during the first half of 2025, outpacing fossil fuel investment by a wide margin. Capital flowed into grids, storage, and efficiency, reinforcing the economic case for the energy transition.

5. Mexico’s jaguar population is up 30% since 2010

The jaguars’ census this year in Mexico showed real growth since 2010. Still vulnerable, still threatened, but this is what conservation progress looks like: slow, stubborn, and worth it.

6. Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon hits 11-year low ahead of COP30

Brazil reported another year of declining deforestation in the Amazon, continuing the reversal that began in 2023. Enforcement, satellite monitoring, and political will turned out to be a powerful combination.

7. Ozone layer on track for full recovery after UN treaty “success story”

NASA confirmed continued recovery of the ozone layer, decades after the Montreal Protocol. This remains the best example of humanity agreeing something was broken and actually fixing it.

8. Scientists say North Atlantic right whale population slowly increasing

After years of genuinely scary declines, scientists reported that the population of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales ticked up again. It is not a dramatic rebound, but it is real progress, driven by fewer deaths and the arrival of new calves.

9. Scientists make ‘superfood’ that could save honeybees

UK researchers developed a pollen-like supplement that helped bee colonies raise more healthy larvae in early trials. It is not a silver bullet, but better nutrition could give pollinators a much-needed boost in landscapes with fewer flowers.

10. The Ocean Cleanup continues to break records

The Ocean Cleanup reported removing more than 25 million kilograms of plastic from rivers and oceans in 2025, while expanding efforts to stop waste at the source. Not solved, but clearly moving in the right direction.

None of these stories suggest that the sustainability agenda is complete or easy. What they show instead is persistence. Progress often comes through the effort of many people, technologies that scale faster than expected, and communities that protect what markets overlook.

In a year filled with ups and downs, these developments were quiet reminders that long term change is still happening. Wishing you and your loved ones an amazing holiday season and a great 2026!

Best,

Marimar

CEO, Miranda ESG