Proof That Progress Is Possible
If you spend time in the mountains, on the coast, or pedalling your way across town, you don’t need a report to tell you the climate is changing. We feel it. Shorter winters. Unpredictable seasons. More extremes.
But the thing we also know is that the story can’t just be about loss, it must also be about progress.
As we welcome a new year, we are reminded of the call from sustainability strategist, Joseph Gelfer, who urges the climate movement to evolve its storytelling. Yes, urgency matters. But so does hope. We don’t just need to know what’s at stake, we need to know that change is happening, and that our efforts are working.
Because when we share wins, we replace despair with momentum.
So before we charge headfirst into 2026, let’s take a moment to look back at the climate wins of 2025. Big and small. Local and global. Because every one of these victories shows that when people speak up, organise, and care for the places we love – we can shift the dial.
🌏 Climate Wins at Home in Aotearoa
A Landmark Win Against Greenwashing
In a first for Aotearoa, Z Energy was forced to publicly apologise after being challenged over misleading climate claims. The case, led by Lawyers for Climate Action, Consumer NZ and the Environmental Law Initiative, sent a clear message: greenwashing doesn’t fly in this country. This win raised the bar for corporate accountability across the country.
Passenger Rail Returns to Te Waipounamu
After years off the tracks, the Southerner passenger train is back, reconnecting Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill from January 2025. It’s not cheap and it’s not perfect – but it exists because people demanded it. Advocacy worked. Public pressure worked. And it opens the door for a future where low-carbon travel across the motu is normal again.
Cycling Booms Across Our Cities
From Christchurch hitting record cycling numbers to Auckland trialling bikes on buses over the Harbour Bridge, 2025 showed what happens when we invest in active transport. More bikes, fewer emissions, healthier communities (and cities that feel better to live in).
>> Read more from RNZ and Bike Auckland
E-Bikes Keep Rolling Forward
Research released in 2025 reinforced what many of us already know: e-bike subsidies seriously cut emissions, reduce congestion, and make getting around cheaper and healthier. Programmes like Workride across Aotearoa continued to grow, helping more people swap car keys for pedals (even on longer or hillier commutes).
Solar for Renters Heating Up
Thanks to the mahi of Rewiring Aotearoa, solar may no longer be just for homeowners. Their Solar for Renters programme is in the works, incentivising landlords to install solar with no upfront costs, while tenants benefit from lower power bills. A massive step towards energy equity and a cleaner grid.
🌍 Big Climate Wins Around the World
International Courts Back Climate Accountability
In a historic decision, the highest court of the UN determined that countries can be held legally responsible for the climate damage caused by their emissions. This moment, sparked by students from Vanuatu, strengthened climate justice movements everywhere and gave frontline communities new legal tools to fight for their future.
Renewables Locked in as the World’s Powerhouse
In 2025, renewables continued to dominate global electricity growth. Solar alone accounted for nearly half of new demand, while wind and hydro kept expanding. Coal’s role shrank again – proof that clean energy isn’t just possible, it’s already winning.
>> Read more from BBC and Ember Energy Org
Battery Storage Breaks Records
Global battery storage capacity surged, making renewable energy more reliable than ever. This means fewer fossil fuel backups, stronger grids, and a future powered by sun, wind and water (even when the weather changes).
>> Read more from Financial Times and ESS News
Climate Action and Economic Growth Aligned
An expanding share of the world economy is cutting CO2 emissions while continuing to grow GDP. Meaning the myth that we must choose between a strong economy and a stable climate is unravelling. A clearer truth now shows in 2025, that climate action is good economics.
>> Read more from Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit
Green Jobs Boom
Climate action is creating millions of jobs. Cities in the C40 network (nearly 100 of the world’s largest cities working together on climate solutions) already support 21 million good green jobs from clean energy to public transport and building upgrades, and are on track for 50 million by 2030. Showing a low-carbon future can be a thriving one.
>> Read more from C40 Cities Org
Paris Charges Ahead in Biking
Paris has become one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, radically reimagining their city transport and driving air pollution down around 50 % compared to two decades ago. Proving what’s possible with deep investment in active transport.
Why These Wins Matter
None of these achievements happened by accident. They came from people who care deeply about the future of the places they love. They came from students, advocates, scientists, commuters, communities and everyday people refusing to accept the status quo.
They prove every action matters, big or small. And sharing success replaces fear with hope. It reminds us that change is not only possible, but already underway.
So are we head into 2026, the invitation is simple:
Talk about the wins. Share the stories. Back the solutions. Keep pushing for change.
