1. Renewables have enabled more than 100 countries to cut back on fossil fuels
Investing in renewable energy has allowed fossil fuel-importing nations to save an estimated $1.3 trillion since 2010, a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) finds.
By deploying renewables, these countries avoided importing 700 million tonnes of coal and 400 billion cubic metres of natural gas. The IEA highlights that these savings were particularly critical during the recent global energy crisis, preventing import bills in 2022 alone from being over $500 billion higher.
In Renewables 2025, the IEA projects that this trend will accelerate dramatically. Global renewable capacity is expected to increase by 4,600 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 - an addition the agency compares to the entire combined power capacity of China, the European Union and Japan.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol explained what will drive this expansion: "Solar PV is on course to account for some 80% of the increase in the world's renewable capacity over the next five years."
This growth will be a global phenomenon. The report identifies India as the second-largest growth market and notes a significant 25% forecast upgrade for the Middle East and North Africa, underscoring a worldwide shift towards clean energy.
2. Amnesty calls for climate visas for displaced Pacific Islanders
Visas must be created that protect the rights of Pacific Islanders displaced by the climate crisis to seek refuge in nearby countries, says Amnesty International.
Except for Papua New Guinea residents, 90% of Pacific Islanders live within 5km of the coastline, with more than one quarter living within one kilometre of it, states the organization in its Navigating Injustice report.
Each year, as many as 50,000 Pacific Islanders face the risk of displacement due to the adverse effects of climate change. By 2050, the number of forcibly displaced people from this region could total 1.7 million people.
The report found that current immigration systems are inadequate for Pacific Islanders, particularly in New Zealand, where many of those displaced flee:
"The existing visa options the government provides leave too many behind - especially those most at risk, like people with disabilities, medical conditions and older people - but a rights-based humanitarian visa will allow impacted families to live with dignity, rebuild their lives and plan a new future."
Amnesty International urges Aotearoa New Zealand and the international community to establish dedicated humanitarian visas and complementary pathways, repeal discriminatory requirements and ensure all climate-affected people can access protection and basic rights.
3. News in brief: Other top nature and climate stories this week
Green sea turtle recovery marks conservation milestone: The latest update to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species saw this species move from 'Endangered' to 'Least Concern', thanks to decades of sustained conservation action."
The ongoing global recovery of the green turtle is a powerful example of what coordinated global conservation over decades can achieve to stabilize and even restore populations of long-lived marine species.
-- Roderic Mast, Co-Chair of the IUCN's Species Survival Commission Marine Turtle Specialist Group."
-- Roderic Mast, Co-Chair of the IUCN's Species Survival Commission Marine Turtle Specialist Group.
United Nations (UN) plastics treaty chair steps down: After the UN plastics treaty talks stalled in August, Luis Vayas Valdivieso is preparing to step down, The Guardian reports. An official announcement is expected on 16 October.
New Zealand oceans warming 34% faster than global average: Our Marine Environment 2025 is the latest in a series of environmental reports produced by the nation's Ministry for the Environment and Statistics, with findings indicating that $104 billion worth of housing is currently at risk of flooding. The report also cites concerns around coastal erosion and damage to other key public infrastructure, such as healthcare and landfill sites.
UK's Prince William prepares to announce Earthshot Prize: Prince William's annual Earthshot Prize will be awarded to five winners next month in Rio de Janeiro. This year's competition is between almost 2,500 nominees from 72 countries, and the innovators are described by the Prince as "heroes of our time". You can look at the finalists here.
Indonesia's 'radioactive' shrimp crisis: Traces of the hazardous isotope Caesium-137 (radioactive contamination) have been found at 22 production facilities in an industrial zone in Jakarta, Indonesia. The multinational retailer Walmart is among the organizations that have recalled products from its shelves after this discovery.
4. More on the nature and climate crisis from Forum Stories
CEO climate leaders publish open letter ahead of COP30: COP30 presents a pivotal moment for business and government to reignite progress towards a more resilient and sustainable economy. The World Economic Forum's Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders has shared an open letter to world leaders ahead of the UN conference, stressing the commercial viability of the climate economy, and urging businesses and policy-makers to scale the historic opportunity for returns, resilience and growth. The letter outlines 13 ways policymakers can accelerate the transition, from streamlining permitting processes to leveraging digital solutions.
Planet under pressure: 10 emerging tech solutions to watch. Seven of the nine planetary boundaries have been breached, causing the planet's "vital signs to flash red", according to the Planetary Health Check 2025 by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. A new report from the Forum and Frontiers 10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health explores innovations that can specifically address and respond to the current state of our planet. Approaches such as precision fermentation, green concrete and methane capture could drive change as we move away from fossil fuels and manage Earth's ecosystems better.
Source: World Economic Forum