Climate Positive News - May 2026

This month's collection of climate positive news stories highlight plans for the new Eden Project in a Lancashire seaside town, the renewable energy hub planned for the Scottish coal museum, and a charity's mission to create a new wildlife sanctuary.

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1. Gaza sisters win prize for turning rubble into reusable bricks

Two teenage sisters from Gaza have been named the Middle East regional winners of the youth-focused Earth Prize for turning rubble into reusable bricks, saying they wanted to "turn destruction into something useful".

Farah and Tala Mousa, who live in a tent and have been repeatedly displaced since their home was bombed, plan to use the prize money to hold workshops to train some 100 young people to create the bricks themselves - aiming to produce at least 200 of them.

Find out more on the BBC website.

2. Charity buys meadow to protect rare river wildlife

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has purchased Court House Meadows alongside the River Meon, one of only 220 chalk rivers in existence, which it hopes to turn into a sanctuary for wildlife.

The site covers more than eight hectares in the Meon Valley and will be managed to support wildlife and restore the river's natural floodplain to help reduce flood risk downstream and improve water quality.

Find out more on the BBC website.

3. First plants arrive for new Eden Project

The first plants set to be used in the new Eden Project in a Lancashire seaside town have arrived on site. A mix of species designed to thrive in coastal areas have been transported from an award-winning garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 to Morecambe for the new eco-attraction.

The Bring Me Sunshine Garden, inspired by comedian Eric Morecambe, was designed with the help of young adults from the town that are not in employment or education. It has now moved from London to be permanently relocated at the gateway to Eden Project Morecambe, set to open in 2028.

Find out more on the BBC website.

4. Renewable energy hub planned for Scottish coal museum

A former 19th Century coal mining 'super-pit' in Midlothian is to be turned into a renewable energy hub providing green electricity for the local community. The Lady Victoria Colliery at Newtongrange, which closed in the 1980s after almost 90 years of operation, has since been preserved as Scotland's national mining museum.

The attraction has unveiled plans to install solar panels on the roofs of colliery buildings as well as housing a battery and electric vehicle charging. The charity is now beginning a fund raising campaign to help pay for the transformation.

Find out more on the BBC website.

5. New charter gives River Wye the right to be free from pollution

The River Wye has become the first river in the UK to be given cross-border rights covering it from source to sea. The charter, which was launched in Hay-on-Wye, recognises how important the river is for people and nature now, and in the future.

It's been endorsed by councils, campaigners and environmental groups from England and Wales. The charter was launched by hundreds of supporters who walked from the Hay Festival site to the Warren, a public open space alongside the River Wye.

Find out more on the BBC website.

By Eveline Vouillemin ©