Climate Victories Of 2023 And Hopes For 2024 - Forbes

Climate Victories Of 2023 And Hopes For 2024
WASHINGTON, DC, Photo by Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images)

2023 had its share of climate and sustainability disappointments, but we also had some encouraging milestones in the ongoing battle against climate change. From record-setting adoption of solar energy to climate-friendly legislation in the United States, their pivotal wins emerged across various fronts, showing there is real work being done to create a sustainable future.

Record-Breaking Renewables and Conservation Successes

One standout achievement of 2023 was a global increase in renewable energy adoption. The year saw a remarkable escalation in solar installations and electric vehicle purchases. The price of solar batteries, heat pumps at the industrial and household levels and wind energy dropped.This raises hopes for more clean energy adoption in the new year. This also indicates a shift in focus towards affordability and accessibility, key drivers to consumer preferences and business strategies toward a greener economy.The news came on the heels of a summer of record heat, which means the shift away from traditional fossil fuels to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources could not be coming at a better time.

Another beacon of hope came with the announcement that deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, the planet’s lungs, had fallen by 22 percent. The efforts to curtail deforestation not only safeguard biodiversity but also play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by preserving carbon sinks and maintaining ecological balance. Indigenous communities won the protection of 225-thousand acres of forest land from mining in the American West. Both are significant wins for the climate, as forests play a crucial role in absorbing CO2 and maintaining global carbon levels.

Legal and Policy Milestones

2023 marked a turning point in legal victories for climate advocates. Landmark court decisions and international policy recognitions underscored the urgency and gravity of the climate crisis. Climate activists ended 2023 with major court wins2. Throughout 2023, significant legal wins emerged in efforts to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate pollution and prompt lawmakers to act on emissions reduction. Rulings from the Supreme Court and federal appeals courts, along with a Montana judge, catalyzed new climate lawsuits, particularly in California, a major economy and oil-producing state. These legal actions are gaining broader attention and are not just seen as legal maneuvers but as pivotal elements in addressing the climate crisis. Many of the cases had bases in civil and human rights legal theories, drawing on strategies from historic cases such as those against the tobacco industry and the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling.

The legal landscape surrounding climate issues also intersects with political scenarios, such as the coming Presidential election. Former President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to counter these lawsuits if reelected, contrasting President Joe Biden's administration, which has supported the climate liability litigation. These legal battles, thus, are not only shaping legal precedence but potentially influencing political strategies and public discourse on climate change. Additionally, the progress in U.S. courts and international policy are a testament to the growing recognition of the urgency of the climate crisis.

Legislating Progress Into 2024

Legislative measures, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Justice 40 initiative allocated significant resources toward clean energy, job creation, and green technologies. Parts of the new laws and executive order ensured that underserved communities would have greater access to the funding and technical assistance needed to access clean energy and green jobs, but also to remediate prior environmental harms. Agencies must deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments to underserved communities.

The Biden-Harris Administration also announced the American Climate Corps, a workforce training and service initiative that will prepare tens of thousands of young people for good-paying jobs in the clean economy. The program is based on the existing AmeriCorps programs; the first cohort of Climate Corps members is expected to be established by summer 2024.

This legislation is a significant step towards a greener future and sets a precedent for other countries to follow. The successes of 2023 serve as a testament to collective efforts toward addressing climate change. As we venture into 2024, we have numerous opportunities to keep up the work for a more sustainable and resilient future.