Latest Policy Stories

A landmark Argentine court ruling recognized fish as sentient beings, now legally protected from cruelty rather than treated as property, after two goldfish named Fede and Magui were removed from a cramped sidewalk display tank outside a Buenos Aires restaurant.

Policy

24.09.26

Argentine Court Recognizes Fish as Sentient Beings, Setting Global Precedent for Animal Rights

Municipal leadership in ocean conservation proved its worth in Del Carmen, Philippines, where a decade of community-led mangrove restoration helped the town withstand Typhoon Odette with minimal loss of life, and it has grown into a global network of 500+ mayors across eight countries.

Policy

23.09.26

Municipal Leadership in Ocean Conservation Unites 500 Mayors Across Eight Countries

How to Choose Legal Counsel for Renewable Energy Investments in the Philippines. Photo by Huynh Linh on Unsplash

Policy

22.09.26

How to Choose Legal Counsel for Renewable Energy Investments in the Philippines

Europe

02.09.26

EU Cage-Free Farming Legislation Moves Closer to Reality

Sixteen nations spanning Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific signed the Mombasa Declaration on fisheries transparency at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Kenya, committing to modernize vessel registries and to publish fishing authorizations to combat illegal fishing, which costs the global economy up to $50 billion annually.

Policy

31.08.26

Sixteen Nations Adopt Mombasa Declaration on Fisheries Transparency to Combat Illegal Fishing

The Rights of Nature framework has reached UK local government for the first time, with Maidstone Borough Council formally embedding the legal interests of nature into its everyday planning and decision-making processes.

Northern Europe

25.08.26

UK’s first Rights of Nature framework adopted by Maidstone Borough Council

Restoring land and stopping desertification are the twin goals of a new UNEP practical guide that outlines seven actions across soil health, pollinators, farming, cities, freshwater, oceans, and finance, offering governments and communities a coordinated roadmap to reverse land degradation.

Policy

24.08.26

Seven Ways of Restoring Land and Stopping Desertification according to UNEP

Migratory species protection took a significant step forward at CMS COP15 in Brazil, where 132 nations agreed to extend safeguards to 40 additional species, even as new data warned that nearly half of all animals already listed under the treaty continue to decline.

Policy

30.06.26

Migratory Species Protection Expanded as Nearly Half of Protected Species Decline

Oregon wildlife conservation funding will support habitat restoration, species protection, and ecosystem resilience across forests, rivers, and wetlands.

North America

25.06.26

Oregon Wildlife Conservation Funding Gets Historic Boost Through New Law

Third-generation NDCs climate action plans submitted in 2025 include stronger emissions targets, adaptation measures, and implementation strategies across multiple sectors.

Policy

05.06.26

Third-Generation Climate Action Plans Show Countries Raising Ambition

A new study by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society finds that Canada's protected areas generated nearly $11 billion in GDP and supported 150,000 jobs in 2023–2024, making a strong economic case for conservation investment.

North America

21.05.26

The Economic Value of Canada’s Protected Areas Reaches Billions

Caption: Costa Rica's ecosystem services payment program valued the nation's natural capital at US$14.5 billion annually, with mangroves providing the greatest economic benefit at US$8,744 per hectare through carbon storage, coastal protection, fisheries support, and biodiversity conservation, exceeding forest and ocean ecosystem values.

Central America

21.05.26

Costa Rica Expands Ecosystem Services Payment Program Beyond Forests to Mangroves, Coral Reefs, and Ocean Conservation

The Bank of England's plan to feature biodiversity on British currency will replace historical figures like Winston Churchill and Jane Austen with native plants and animals.

Policy

20.05.26

Biodiversity on British Currency: UK Banknotes to Feature Native Wildlife

With plastic-free alternatives already widely available on shelves, Scotland’s plastic wet wipes ban is expected to shift consumer habits and reduce the millions of pounds spent each year clearing blocked sewers.

Northern Europe

30.04.26

Scotland’s Plastic Wet Wipes Ban is a Win for Beaches, Sewers, and Wildlife

New England plug-in solar legislation could allow small solar panels to plug directly into household outlets, expanding solar access to millions of residents who cannot install rooftop systems.

North America

29.04.26

New England Plug-in Solar Legislation Could Expand Clean Energy Access for Renters

Washington State clean water funding will provide $156.8 million for 121 projects, including the $4.7 million to Union Gap to remove copper, zinc, and other pollutants from stormwater along five key streets, protecting Spring Creek and the Yakima River (above) from untreated runoff.

North America

28.04.26

Washington State Clean Water Funding Reaches 121 Projects Across Every Region

The EU ban on the destruction of unsold clothes levels the playing field for sustainable brands by making it illegal for competitors to destroy surplus stock rather than invest in responsible inventory practices.

Europe

27.04.26

EU ban on the destruction of unsold clothes marks a turning point for fashion waste

Plastic pollution prevention laws are reshaping packaging and waste practices across several U.S. states, as new policies in California, Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Washington target single-use plastics such as checkout bags, foam containers, and hotel toiletries.

North America

16.04.26

Plastic Pollution Prevention Laws Expand Across Several U.S. States

Legal rights for stingless bees in Peru's Satipo province protect four native species, including Melipona eburnea that pollinate over 80% of Amazonian flora and support coffee, chocolate, and avocado production worldwide.

Policy

08.04.26

Peru Grants Legal Rights for Stingless Bees in Global First

Antarctica

03.04.26

News Categories

Latest Policy Stories

Argentine Court Recognizes Fish as Sentient Beings, Setting Global Precedent for Animal Rights

Municipal Leadership in Ocean Conservation Unites 500 Mayors Across Eight Countries

How to Choose Legal Counsel for Renewable Energy Investments in the Philippines

EU Cage-Free Farming Legislation Moves Closer to Reality

Sixteen Nations Adopt Mombasa Declaration on Fisheries Transparency to Combat Illegal Fishing

UK’s first Rights of Nature framework adopted by Maidstone Borough Council

Get Happy Eco News

Seven Ways of Restoring Land and Stopping Desertification according to UNEP

Migratory Species Protection Expanded as Nearly Half of Protected Species Decline

Oregon Wildlife Conservation Funding Gets Historic Boost Through New Law

Third-Generation Climate Action Plans Show Countries Raising Ambition

The Economic Value of Canada’s Protected Areas Reaches Billions

Costa Rica Expands Ecosystem Services Payment Program Beyond Forests to Mangroves, Coral Reefs, and Ocean Conservation

Biodiversity on British Currency: UK Banknotes to Feature Native Wildlife

Scotland’s Plastic Wet Wipes Ban is a Win for Beaches, Sewers, and Wildlife

New England Plug-in Solar Legislation Could Expand Clean Energy Access for Renters

Washington State Clean Water Funding Reaches 121 Projects Across Every Region

EU ban on the destruction of unsold clothes marks a turning point for fashion waste

Plastic Pollution Prevention Laws Expand Across Several U.S. States

Peru Grants Legal Rights for Stingless Bees in Global First

Rights of Antarctica Campaign Calls for Legal Voice for the Frozen Continent

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