Positive Climate News - July 2025

This month's collection of positive climate news stories highlight how the UK's biggest bird is staging a remarkable comeback, Coldplay's sustainable plan for re-issuing their albums and coral reefs and seagrass getting new protections off Tanzania’s Pemba Island.

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1. UK high court ruling a win for cleaner rivers

A people-led campaign to halt a poultry megafarm that threatened England’s longest river has triumphed in the high court, a move described as a “win for cleaner rivers”. 

Plans for the industrial-scale facility near the River Severn had been approved by Shropshire council, prompting the charity River Action to take the council to the high court.

Recently, a judge revoked planning permission for the megafarm, claiming the original approval did not take into account the wider impact it would have on the environment. 

Find out more on the Positive.News website.

2. Britain’s rarest breeding bird successfully raises four chicks

A pair of Montagu’s Harriers have successfully raised four young chicks in England. Montagu’s Harriers are Britain’s rarest breeding bird, and this is the first time the species has nested successfully here since 2019. The location is being kept secret to protect the birds. 

Mark Thomas, Montagu’s Harrier Species Lead at the RSPB said, "We are overjoyed that a pair have returned, they managed to find each other, and, through the close protection of a dedicated farmer and the RSPB, have managed to raise four youngsters.”

Find out more on the RSPB website.

3. ‘World first’ microfibre recycling plant opens

A startup that devised a filter to capture microfibres discharged from washing machines has opened a facility to recycle the particles in England. The plant in Bude, Cornwall, is thought to be the first of its kind. 

The Cleaner Seas Group behind it estimate that it could turn 86 tonnes of microfibres into usable materials for construction and packaging annually. 

The startup developed a £130 system that can be fitted to washing machines to filter out the thousands of microfibres discharged during every wash. It launched in 2020. Those who bought one can now send the filters inside off to the facility for the microfibres to be extracted and recycled. 

Find out more on the Positive.News website.

4. Company launches eco-bricks that absorb carbon

A startup company in Sheffield has launched environmentally-friendly bricks which absorb and permanently store greenhouse gases. 

Materials developer earth4Earth, based at Sheffield Technology Parks, said the bricks capture carbon dioxide from the air around them but are also manufactured using methods which do not produce it. The first batch is now being used in pilot projects across Sheffield. 

Find out more on the BBC website.

5. UK’s biggest bird returns to Scotland

A bird that was eaten to extinction in Scotland is staging a remarkable comeback. The crane was absent from Scotland for around 500 years, but is now re-establishing itself in the country amid ongoing efforts to restore wetland habitats. 

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), this habitat restoration work is paying off across the UK, where a record number of breeding pairs have been reported, including in Scotland. 

Find out more on the Positive.News website.

6. Coldplay to re-issue albums on records made from recycled plastic bottles

British band Coldplay have announced the re-issue of nine of their previous albums on records made from recycled plastic bottles. The EcoRecords reduce carbon emissions during the manufacturing process by 85 per cent compared with traditional vinyl production.

Find out more on the Euronews website. 

7. Hampton Court Palace reveals plans for climate-resilient garden

Plans for a climate-resilient garden at Hampton Court Palace have been unveiled by the charity that cares for the Tudor building.

Historic Royal Palaces is hoping the new planting scheme in the Great Fountain Garden will feature almost 300 species across 32 planted beds and borders, each selected for their climate resilience, biodiversity value and long seasons of interest. The aim is that once established, the planting will require minimal watering.

Find out more on the BBC website. 

8. Colombia cuts deforestation by one-third

Colombia’s environment ministry reported a 33% drop in deforestation during the first quarter of 2025, citing coordinated enforcement efforts and strengthened partnerships with local communities.

The Amazon rainforest helps regulate the global climate and supports biodiversity, but Colombia’s portion of the forest has long been threatened by illegal activities like mining, logging, and coca cultivation.

Colombia’s progress offers a sign of hope. Upcoming regional meetings aim to deepen collaboration with Indigenous and territorial leaders to reinforce conservation measures.

Find out more on The Daily Climate website.

9. Coral reefs and seagrass get new protections off Tanzania’s Pemba Island

Tanzania will establish two new marine protected areas (MPAs) off the eastern coast of Pemba Island in the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, the fisheries minister for Zanzibar announced at the United Nations Ocean Conference.

The two new MPAs, the North-East Pemba Conservation Area and the South-East Pemba Conservation Area, will together cover more than 1,300 square kilometers (502 square miles). They will shelter coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass habitats.

Find out more on the Mongabay website.

10. Residents engage in climate change delivery plan

Surrey residents have been invited to help shape the county's next five-year climate change delivery plan. The plan will set out priority areas to tackle climate change and initiatives that will benefit residents.

The engagement phase of the climate change delivery plan is being co-designed with residents, businesses, schools and community groups. The county council has already conducted in-person workshops across the county with schools, parishes and residents and it has also undertaken polling and online engagement.

Find out more on the BBC website.

By Eveline Vouillemin ©