At Leaving a Legacy, our work often sits inside the reality of ecological decline. We work in degraded landscapes, fragmented forests, and ecosystems under sustained pressure.
What we’ve learned from this is that progress in environmental work rarely looks like sweeping change. Instead, we like to find hope in the small victories that are ultimately reflective of bigger changes or steps in the right direction.
As 2025 comes to a close, these are some of the environmental wins that have stayed with us. They are not silver bullets. But, they are real, evidence-based signs that protection, restoration, and long-term thinking can shift trajectories.
1. Kenyan cities began restoring urban forests using the Miyawaki method
In 2025, several Kenyan cities began adopting the Miyawaki forest restoration method to rebuild lost urban forest cover. This approach uses dense, multi-species native planting to establish biodiverse mini-forests in a fraction of the time traditional reforestation would take.
These projects are already improving urban biodiversity, creating cooler microclimates, and reconnecting people with nature in places where green space had largely disappeared.
Urban forests are often overlooked in conservation conversations, yet they play a critical role in air quality, heat reduction, water infiltration, and everyday human wellbeing. Seeing Kenyan cities invest in fast, ecological forest restoration is a meaningful step forward.
2. A landmark climate ruling opened the door for international legal accountability
In a watershed moment for climate justice, the International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory opinion in 2025 that clarifies countries’ obligations to prevent climate harm.
While non-binding, the ruling carries significant legal weight and clears the way for nations most affected by climate change to pursue legal action against high-polluting countries. Legal experts have described it as a turning point that will influence climate litigation globally.
This decision did not emerge overnight. It began years ago as a student-led idea and grew into one of the most consequential legal moments in climate governance to date.
3. Forest protection gained new momentum at the first “Forest COP” in the Amazon
Brazil hosted COP30 in Belém, marking the first UN climate summit held in the Amazon rainforest itself. Forests moved from the margins of negotiations to the centre of the agenda.
Brazil announced a renewed roadmap to end deforestation by 2030 and launched the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a funding platform designed to reward countries for maintaining existing forests rather than only reducing emissions.
Alongside policy shifts, there were measurable ecological signals of progress. Official data showed deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell 11% in the year to July 2025, the lowest rate in over a decade. Forest loss in the Cerrado also declined. Independent monitoring later reported forest clearing was 43 percent lower in October 2025 compared to the previous year.
Globally, a 2025 UN report found deforestation rates were 38% lower in the period 2015–2025 compared to 1990–2000, with more than half of the world’s forests now under long-term management plans.
4. Green sea turtles were upgraded to “Least Concern”
After decades of coordinated global conservation, green sea turtles were officially upgraded from Endangered to Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Once heavily exploited for meat, eggs, and shells, their recovery has been driven by sustained protection: beach patrols, egg safeguarding, hatchling release programmes, and fishing net modifications that reduce bycatch.
Populations have not returned to historic levels, and threats remain, but this status change represents one of the clearest examples of long-term conservation delivering real results at a global scale.
5. Renewable electricity generation overtook coal for the first time
In the first half of 2025, renewable energy generated more electricity globally than coal for the first time.
This milestone was driven largely by rapid renewable expansion in China and India. Fossil fuel use has not ended, and the world remains off track for 2030 targets, but this shift signals structural change in the global energy system.
Moments like this matter because they show that transitions once thought impossible can happen faster than expected when policy, investment, and technology align.
6. Investment in nature-based flood and drought solutions doubled
Global spending on nature-based solutions for water security has doubled since 2013. This includes restoration of wetlands, forests, floodplains, and green infrastructure that reduce flood and drought risk while supporting biodiversity and carbon storage.
These approaches consistently outperform grey infrastructure on cost, resilience, and long-term effectiveness. Their growing adoption reflects a broader recognition that healthy ecosystems are essential infrastructure, not optional extras.
7. Technology helped halt rhino poaching in parts of Kenya
In Kenya, collaboration between WWF, Kenya Wildlife Service, and technology partners led to major anti-poaching successes in 2025.
Advanced FLIR thermal camera systems, equipped with AI and night-vision capabilities, were deployed in high-risk reserves. These systems detect human or vehicle movement at night and send real-time alerts to ranger teams.
As a result, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Solio Game Reserve recorded zero rhino poaching following the implementation. These reserves are home to some of East Africa’s largest populations of critically endangered black rhinos.
This is a powerful example of how technology, when used thoughtfully and alongside experienced rangers, can strengthen conservation outcomes on the ground.
This recovery restored both conservation monitoring and ecotourism income in a region where both are vital to long-term protection.
Looking ahead to 2026
None of these wins erases the scale of the challenges our planet is facing. Forests are still being cleared, species still remain at risk, and the impacts of climate change continue to intensify.
What they do show is something equally important.
When ecosystems are protected, they respond. When communities are supported, stewardship strengthens. When restoration is done properly, nature rebuilds complexity faster than many expect.
As we move into 2026, these stories are reminders of why we do this work. Progress is rarely linear, but paying attention to the small victories helps ensure we keep choosing solutions that give ecosystems, and the people who depend on them, a fighting chance.
