{"id":71853,"date":"2024-12-19T10:47:06","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T09:47:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=71853"},"modified":"2025-01-08T12:18:32","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T11:18:32","slug":"hope-is-created-through-action-climate-environmental-victories-of-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/71853\/hope-is-created-through-action-climate-environmental-victories-of-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Hope is created through action: Climate & environmental victories of 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear changemakers, thank you for all that you\u2019ve done this year. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Reflecting on 2024, we endured yet another year filled with climate catastrophes, political unrest and international inequality. But even through these challenging times we can find hope in our collective actions and victories, no matter how big or small. Together, we can pave the way forward towards a better future. <\/p>\n\n

Dear Earth, thank you for continuing to show up every day for us. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Across the globe, people took bold steps to care for the planet. 2024 showed us the strength of coming together with purpose and passion. These efforts may not solve every challenge overnight, but they are the building blocks of creating lasting change. <\/p>\n\n

Dear Earth citizens, we invite you to take moments to appreciate living on this planet. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

The journey that we are on is a long one, so friends, take care of yourself as we heal the world together. What lies ahead may not be easy, but as we continue to show up, make our voices heard and hold polluters accountable we must not forget to take care of ourselves, our peers and our communities. <\/p>\n\n

Dear all, we hope that you\u2019ll join us on this journey towards a better future, taking care of our planet, ourselves and each other. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

With courage as our compass and optimism as our fuel, here are some of the top victories of 2024 for people and the planet to inspire us to keep taking action.<\/p>\n\n

United Kingdom. Shell backs down in lawsuit against Greenpeace<\/h3>\n\n
\"Activists
Activists protest against Shell outside the English Admirality Court in London.
\u00a9 David Mirzoeff \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

In February 2023, Shell launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Greenpeace UK and Greenpeace International over a peaceful protest. But with our supporters behind us, we showed Shell their bullying tactics won\u2019t intimidate us – and now they\u2019ve backed down and agreed to settle out of court<\/a>. People power works – this campaign was fought with the support of thousands of ordinary people against one of the richest companies in the world.<\/p>\n\n

This legal battle might be over, but Big Oil\u2019s dirty tricks aren\u2019t going away. With Greenpeace facing further lawsuits around the world, we won\u2019t stop campaigning until the fossil fuel industry stops drilling and starts paying for the damage it is causing to people and the planet.<\/p>\n\n

Norway. Arctic deep sea mining plans stopped<\/h3>\n\n
\"Light
Activists from Greenpeace International, Nordic and Germany, project messages from people opposing deep-sea mining onto the Svea Glacier in Spitsbergen.
\u00a9 Bianca Vitale \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Huge win for the ocean as Arctic deep sea mining plans are stopped in Norway<\/a>! After more than a year of decisive campaign work and massive pressure from activists, scientists and the international community, the Norwegian government has agreed to stop the first licensing round for deep sea mining in Arctic waters<\/a> for at least the rest of their term in office, until the next election.<\/p>\n\n

This is a major and important environmental victory which shows that mobilisation and people power works.<\/p>\n\n

Indonesia. Measures to regulate labour standards for fishing vessels adopted<\/h3>\n\n
\"Slavery
Slavery at sea protest in Jakarta.
\u00a9 Jurnasyanto Sukarno \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

After years of discussions, rejections, objections and negotiations involving governments, civil society organisations including Greenpeace Indonesia, and unions representing migrant fishers, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) finally adopted the Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) for Crew Labor Standards<\/a> on 3 December 2024.  <\/p>\n\n

The WCPFC oversees fish population management, promotes sustainable fishing practices, and implements conservation measures. This decision underscores their commitment to ensure the well-being of crew in an industry that suffers from serious labour abuses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Oceans. Deep sea miners\u2019 efforts to limit the right to protest at sea rejected<\/h3>\n\n
\"Night
Protest against a deep sea mining ship in the Pacific region.
\u00a9 Martin Katz \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Over the last year, The Metals Company and its enablers have repeatedly tried to silence the global wave of resistance. After failing to get an injunction that stopped the action at sea, and unsuccessfully lobbying governments to limit protests around deep sea mining vessels at the International Seabed Authority in March, the company pursued an appeal at the Amsterdam Court of Appeal to try and secure immunity against future Greenpeace protests at sea. But thanks to the incredible work of Greenpeace International\u2019s legal unit, on 12 November 2024, the court ruled once more in our favour, reaffirming our right to peaceful protest at sea<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Brazil. Sawr\u00e9 Muybu territory officially demarcated<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
\"Demarcation
Munduruku Indigenous People demonstrate in front of the Brazilian Supreme Court to demand the demarcation of the Sawr\u00e9 Muybu Indigenous Land on the Tapaj\u00f3s River in the Amazon, in November 2016
\u00a9 Ot\u00e1vio Almeida \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

On 25 September 2024, the Sawr\u00e9 Muybu territory  in the Tapaj\u00f3s River Basin in the heart of the Amazon rainforest was officially demarcated<\/a>. The Munduruku People have been fighting for the rights to a land that has always belonged to them but is threatened by mining, illegal logging, and infrastructure projects. This is a historic and profoundly symbolic victory not only for the Munduruku, but for all Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon and Brazil.<\/p>\n\n

South Korea.  Top court ruled the country’s carbon neutrality law as unconstitutional<\/h3>\n\n
\"Press
Press conference on South Korea\u2019s Constitutional Court\u2019s final ruling on the Korean climate litigation case.
\u00a9 \uae30\ud6c4\ud5cc\ubc95\uc18c\uc6d0 \uacf5\ub3d9\uc6d0\uace0\uc778\ub2e8<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

On 29 August 2024, South Korea\u2019s Constitutional Court ruled the country’s carbon neutrality law as unconstitutional<\/a> for violating citizen’s rights – making it the first ruling of its kind in Asia! The petition was filed in 2020 by over 200 plaintiffs, including young activists and even infants, and is Asia\u2019s first climate court case targeting a country\u2019s carbon neutrality commitments. This is a major climate win for future generations, and could potentially set a precedent in the region for other climate cases.<\/p>\n\n

Australia. Woolworths and McDonald\u2019s commit to going deforestation-free<\/h3>\n\n
\"Active
Piles of trees rotting and on fire, following a deforestation event in Queensland. Queensland has the highest rate of deforestation in Australia. Most deforestation occurs for the purpose of growing pasture for beef cattle.
\u00a9 Paul Hilton \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Woolworths<\/a> and McDonald\u2019s<\/a> in Australia announced their commitments to source deforestation-free beef. Woolworths will do so by the end of 2025 but McDonald\u2019s will implement theirs by 2030 (Greenpeace Australia Pacific will continue to engage with McDonald\u2019s to ensure they commit to taking deforestation off the menu \u2013 by 2025!). These two giant corporations are some of Australia’s biggest retailers and major buyers of Australian beef.<\/p>\n\n

This is a major example of people power as Greenpeace Australia Pacific supporters had sent the big corporations thousands of emails, demanding they go deforestation-free. <\/p>\n\n

Global. Breakthrough for global tax justice<\/h3>\n\n
\u00a9 Pedro Armestre \/ Greenpeace<\/div>. \u00a9 Pedro Armestre \/ Greenpeace” alt=”Climate March during COP25 in Madrid
\u00a9 Pedro Armestre \/ Greenpeace<\/div>. \u00a9 Pedro Armestre \/ Greenpeace” class=”wp-image-64781″\/>
Climate March during COP25 in Madrid
\u00a9 Pedro Armestre \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

In a big win for global tax justice, a favourable blueprint for a UN Tax Convention<\/a> that will pave the way for a fair and efficient global tax system was laid out in August. An inclusive tax cooperation system will shift power from a few rich OECD countries to the UN<\/a> where every country has a vote and help governments around the world recover the billions lost to tax dodging by multinational corporations and the ultra-rich. There is still much to do to keep up the pressure as negotiations will continue until 2027.<\/p>\n\n

South Africa. Shell loses appeal in case halting plans for oil and gas exploration<\/h3>\n\n
\"Shell
Wild-coast community members and partner organisations from South Africa protested against Shell at the Supreme Court of Appeal.
\u00a9 Natanya Harrington \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Big win against Shell in South Africa! After protests by the community and fishers, Shell loses its appeal<\/a> against the landmark decision in 2022<\/a> which ruled against their plans to conduct oil and gas exploration off the Wild Coast of South Africa. The court says Shell failed to properly inform and consult affected communities, taking into account community rights and environmental harm. Unfortunately, the fight is not yet over as the court has left the door open for Shell\u2019s application to renew its exploration right. Together with allies and the community, Greenpeace Africa is resolute in continuing to fight to stop Big Oil from exploiting the planet for its own profit.<\/p>\n\n

Papua. Major land rights win for Indigenous Peoples<\/h3>\n\n
\"Hand
The Knasaimos Indigenous Peoples, residing in Indonesia\u2019s Southwest Papua province have fought for decades to protect their lands from exploitation.
\u00a9 Jurnasyanto Sukarno \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

On 6 June, 4000 Indigenous Papuans finally received legal recognition of customary rights<\/a> over 97,411 hectares of tropical rainforests in South Sorong Regency. The newly recognised Indigenous lands of the Knasaimos Peoples spans an area almost the size of Hong Kong. <\/p>\n\n

As with many Indigenous communities across Tanah Papua (the western half of New Guinea, also known internationally as West Papua), the Knasaimos Peoples have been fighting for decades to protect their customary lands from exploitation by external interests such as logging and plantation companies. Today\u2019s ruling finally provides legal recognition of their rights to the land, forests, water, and other natural resources that are their ancestral heritage.<\/p>\n\n

Oceans. World\u2019s highest oceans court ruling to protect our oceans<\/h3>\n\n
\"Banner
Banner reading “Protect Our Oceans” is displayed near a turtle during Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior’s documentation trip off Exmouth, Western Australia.
\u00a9 Harriet Spark \/ Grumpy Turtle Film \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

In a historic Advisory Opinion<\/a>, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the world\u2019s highest oceans court, found that greenhouse gas emissions are a form of marine pollution and countries are obligated to reduce emissions for the sake of our oceans. The ruling is a huge victory in the protection and preservation of the marine environment<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

Europe. European Nature Restoration Law passed<\/h3>\n\n
\"Hainich
Autumn atmosphere in the Hainich National Park in Thuringia. The primeval beech forest is a protected area for plants and animals.
\u00a9 Roman Pawlowski \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The European Nature Restoration Law was passed<\/a> and has come into effect! This law is the most important piece of environmental legislation in Europe in decades, aiming to restore and protect European biodiversity hotspots. It imposes unprecedented legally binding obligations onto EU Member States to restore protected nature reserves, peatlands, and dwindling bird and pollinator populations, and protect urban nature amongst others. This is a huge win for the nature movement in Europe!<\/p>\n\n

Switzerland. Historic court win confirms that climate protection is a human right<\/h3>\n\n
\"Senior
The Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland (KlimaSeniorinnen) took the Swiss government to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg because their health is threatened by heat waves made worse by the climate crisis.
\u00a9 Greenpeace \/ Emanuel B\u00fcchler<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The Association of Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland, also known as the KlimaSeniorinnen, took action against their country,  Switzerland, for violating the seniors\u2019 human rights<\/a> by failing to set sufficient climate targets. On 9 April, they received the landmark decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), achieving a historic victory for all generations. The ruling is an iconic moment for climate justice globally<\/a>, confirming that climate protection is a human right.

Caroline Wagner is Programme Support Manager for the European Collaboration at Greenpeace Germany. Francesca Cresta is Executive and Governance Assistant at Greenpeace Italy. Tan Lee Kuen is a content editor with Greenpeace International<\/em>.
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dear changemakers, thank you for all that you\u2019ve done this year. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":160,"featured_media":71897,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_planet4_optimize_post_is_variant":false,"_planet4_optimize_experiment_name":"","_planet4_optimize_variant_name":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"","p4_local_project":"","p4_basket_name":"","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[100,73],"tags":[122],"p4-page-type":[59],"class_list":["post-71853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about","category-social-and-economic-systems","tag-wins","p4-page-type-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/160"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71853"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71942,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71853\/revisions\/71942"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71853"},{"taxonomy":"p4-page-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/p4-page-type?post=71853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}