A priceless 16th-century manuscript signed by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés has been successfully recovered and returned to Mexico by the FBI after being missing from national archives for decades.
Legal personhood for the Great Barrier Reef is gaining support from Indigenous traditional owners and environmental lawyers as a way to better protect the coral ecosystem from climate change and pollution.
Two rare grapefruit trees brought from Grenada in the 1980s have won protection from Wandsworth Council in London, preserving both a living cultural landmark and a beloved community member's legacy.
New York has become the first state in the nation to ban fossil fuels in most new buildings, requiring all-electric construction for better air quality and lower energy costs.
California residents can obtain legitimate emotional support animal (ESA) letters that comply with state law AB-468, giving them the right to live with their support animals even in housing that normally prohibits pets.
A Hampshire council unanimously voted to recognize the River Test's rights to flow freely and unpolluted, establishing legal protection for this rare chalk stream ecosystem.
A new congressional bill requires platform companies to disclose algorithmic management practices and guarantees gig workers at least 75% of each fare, bringing transparency to an industry where workers often earn below living wages.
A New South Wales court overturned approval for the state's largest coal mine expansion by recognizing scope 3 emissions must be considered, marking a precedent that strengthens climate action in project approvals.
The International Court of Justice ruled that countries have legal obligations to prevent climate harms both inside and outside their boundaries, challenging Australia's stance on fossil fuel exports.
The International Court of Justice ruled that government actions driving climate change are illegal and states must cut emissions and compensate vulnerable nations, setting a new legal foundation for climate accountability worldwide.
Representatives from 175 countries will gather in Geneva for the final round of negotiations on a legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution, offering a critical opportunity to address one of the world's most pressing environmental crises.
The UK has announced plans to provide legal protection for older and culturally significant trees in England, helping preserve these irreplaceable natural landmarks that play vital roles in both ecology and cultural heritage.
Britain's comprehensive ban on toxic lead ammunition will prevent tens of thousands of birds from dying annually due to lead poisoning, improving wildlife health across the countryside.
South Korea is moving to grant 'legal personhood' status to bottlenose dolphins off Jeju Island, establishing stronger protections for these marine mammals threatened by fishing gear, boat traffic, and pollution.
The UK government is creating a new 'civil society covenant' that enshrines charities' right to peaceful protest, restoring the sector's voice after years of restrictions.
The River Ouse in Sussex became England's first waterway to receive legal rights as a living entity, creating a powerful framework to protect it from pollution and environmental degradation.
A Brazilian federal court has halted plans to blast a 35-kilometer rock formation in the Tocantins River, protecting endangered species like river dolphins and unique fish that call this ecosystem home.
Seven major UK housebuilders will contribute £100 million to affordable housing schemes following a competition watchdog investigation, potentially funding hundreds of new homes for low-income households and first-time buyers.
A people's commission finds that public ownership of water in England and Wales would lead to lower bills, reduced pollution, and better infrastructure investment, benefiting consumers and the environment.
Victoria will establish a permanent First Peoples' Assembly with expanded powers through legislation later this year, providing Aboriginal people greater representation and decision-making authority on issues directly affecting them.
New research reveals Sulawesi's endangered bear cuscus occupies less than 1% of surveyed habitats, highlighting the urgent need to restore its protected status and preserve its fragmented ecosystem.
Chicago's Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance would require companies wanting to locate in already polluted neighborhoods to complete environmental impact assessments and undergo review by a community advisory board.
California has overhauled its 1970s environmental protection rules to exempt most urban housing projects from lengthy reviews, addressing the state's critical housing shortage while maintaining environmental protections for certain projects.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed to restore $3 billion in climate and environmental grants for disadvantaged communities, challenging the Trump administration's cancellation as a violation of constitutional separation of powers.
Alabama's Environmental Management Commission has approved a petition to update water toxicity standards for 12 pollutants, strengthening protections for public health and waterways across the state.
Alabama regulators agreed to update standards for 12 toxic substances in waterways, improving protection for people who fish and swim in the state's rivers.
A new study published in Science confirms that banning or taxing plastic bags effectively reduces beach litter, with affected areas seeing 25 to 47 percent fewer bags during shoreline cleanups.
A federal appeals court upheld restrictions on the Endangered Species Act, limiting federal protection to areas where endangered species currently live rather than their historical habitats, making endangered species recovery more challenging.
Eighteen new countries ratified the High Seas Treaty at the UN Ocean Conference, bringing the total to 49 nations, just 11 short of the 60 needed for the treaty to take effect and protect marine biodiversity in international waters.
Tonga is set to become the first country to legally recognize whales as sentient beings with inherent rights, enabling human guardians to represent them in court for protection and conservation.
Indigenous lawyer Hugo Aguilar has been elected president of Mexico's Supreme Court through the country's first-ever popular judicial vote, marking a significant step for Indigenous representation in Mexico's highest court.
Civil society groups and unions are calling on the International Labour Organization to adopt a binding treaty to protect millions of gig workers from employment misclassification, low wages, and algorithmic management abuses.
Rivers are gaining legal personhood status in various parts of the world, recognizing their rights as living entities and providing a framework to protect them from corporate and governmental exploitation.
Fourteen Dutch cities have launched zero-emission freight zones that ban high-pollution delivery vehicles from city centers, potentially reducing urban air pollutants by up to 30%.
England and Wales are shifting away from short prison sentences toward community-based alternatives, which could free up over 1,000 prison spaces annually and reduce reoffending rates.
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore $176 million in environmental grant funding to nonprofits and municipalities, enabling vital programs supporting sustainable agriculture, communities, and public health to continue.
Guatemala initiates a national dialogue process to develop a water law that could address the country's water crisis and ensure millions of people gain access to clean water and sanitation.
Nepal's environmental lawyers have successfully used public interest litigation to protect natural resources, including a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down a law allowing development in protected areas.
A groundbreaking legal movement recognizes rivers as living entities with fundamental rights, helping protect waterways from pollution and exploitation while ensuring their natural flow.
The European Union has enacted a new regulation that bans products made with forced labor from being sold in EU markets, creating stronger protections for an estimated 17.3 million victims worldwide.
A landmark court ruling in Indonesia hands down a 5-year prison sentence and large fine for tiger poaching, setting a powerful precedent for wildlife protection.
New forest monitoring platform in Indonesia combines on-the-ground data and geolocation tracking to detect environmental violations in real-time, strengthening commodity traceability for EU compliance.
Peruvian Indigenous leader Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari wins prestigious Goldman Prize for securing legal rights for the Marañón River, creating a model for ecosystem protection worldwide.
Energy efficiency standards for appliances help Americans save hundreds of dollars annually on utility bills while significantly reducing pollution and carbon emissions.
The U.S. has launched its first comprehensive plastic regulations that will standardize microplastics measurement, increase recycling, and help protect human health and the environment.
Legal courts are becoming effective battlegrounds for climate action with 320 cases worldwide framing climate change as a human rights issue to hold governments and corporations accountable.
England's historic and ancient trees will receive stronger legal protections and a dedicated taskforce under new government proposals to preserve these living monuments for future generations.
Seychelles improves public access to fisheries data by becoming the first country to meet international transparency standards, enabling better oversight of fishing activities and agreements.
New Zealand grants legal personhood to Taranaki Maunga mountain, ensuring protection of this culturally significant site through indigenous rights and environmental guardianship.
Mozambique's parliament unanimously passed a new inclusive dialogue law to address post-election violence through constitutional reforms and political discussions that will help restore peace and stability.
Legal experts have launched a virtual bootcamp to help connect more lawyers with climate-related pro bono work, aiming to expand access to essential legal services for climate solutions beyond just environmental law.
Local rivers worldwide gain new legal protections through rights of nature laws, enabling stronger defense against pollution and environmental damage in courts.
A groundbreaking Italian court ruling orders cacti smugglers to pay for desert ecosystem restoration, establishing a new legal precedent that could help protect endangered species worldwide.
British farms will reduce pesticide-related environmental harm by 10% by 2030 through sustainable farming practices that protect pollinators and boost agricultural productivity.
A man who lived in the UK for nearly 50 years has finally received legal status through the Windrush scheme, securing his right to remain with his British family.
Cambridge, Massachusetts implements a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers to reduce emissions and noise pollution, improving public health and environmental protection.
New Mexico takes a major step toward local control of carbon storage permits by passing House Bill 457, enabling faster development of carbon capture projects while maintaining strict environmental oversight.
London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone expansion has successfully reduced air pollution across the city, with nitrogen dioxide levels down 27% and 96.7% of vehicles now meeting emission standards.
Malaysia's new CCUS law advances climate action while creating economic opportunities by establishing a competitive framework for carbon capture and storage technologies.
NSW's Parklea correctional centre transitions back to public operation by late 2026, marking a shift away from private prison management to focus on rehabilitation over profit.
Colorado takes action to protect public health by setting new standards for five dangerous air toxics, targeting communities most impacted by pollution.
France takes major step to protect public health by banning PFAS 'forever chemicals' in cosmetics, clothing and other consumer products starting in 2026, setting a precedent for broader European action.
New York City launched its first congestion pricing program in Manhattan to reduce traffic and pollution while funding major public transit improvements that will benefit millions of daily commuters.
Air quality in developed nations reaches cleanest levels in centuries as proven technologies and regulations show developing countries can achieve similar improvements much faster.
New Zealand grants legal personhood to sacred mountain Taranaki Maunga, empowering Indigenous tribes with greater environmental protection rights while honoring their cultural connection to the land.
Four NGOs are taking legal action against the Netherlands to end bottom trawling in the Dogger Bank area, highlighting the urgent need for better protections of marine habitats.
The United Kingdom has decided to permanently ban bee-harming pesticides, signaling a shift towards more sustainable farming practices that protect pollinators and the environment.
Campaigners have secured a significant win that reinforces protection for England’s national parks, ensuring better conservation practices moving forward.
