The global effort to protect humanity from the worst effects of climate change has been both miraculously successful and painfully inadequate. Depending on where you focus, it’s easy to feel either deep gratitude or deep despair.

While we can never lose sight of how much still needs to be done—or the consequences if we fail—it’s just as important to recognize and draw strength from what is going right.

As families gathered across Canada this Thanksgiving weekend, I found myself reflecting on the many things I’m grateful for in the fight to protect our planet.

• I’m grateful for the strong, courageous, and undaunted climate leaders who fight every day to protect our way of life—for ourselves and for future generations. I had the privilege this week of speaking with two such leaders who have been at it for decades: former federal environment minister Catherine McKenna and Quebec MNA and environment critic Désirée McGraw. Despite the challenges and setbacks they’ve faced, their energy and optimism remain boundless. It’s impossible not to come away inspired.

• My conversation with Catherine McKenna was a reminder of how lucky we are to live in a time of miraculous progress in clean technology. She recalled that within days of her election in 2015, she was flying to Paris to negotiate Canada’s emissions targets, only to realize she wasn’t yet sure how those goals could be met. Her message was clear – the only way to hit a target is to aim at it. Don’t let fear of failure hold you back, and trust in your ability to do the work to figure out the solutions along the way.  Over the past decade, we’ve developed nearly everything we need to succeed in reducing emissions—if we have the courage to act. 

• I’m grateful for Europe’s continued climate leadership. Its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism—set to take effect on January 1—could become a powerful catalyst, encouraging more countries to price industrial emissions rather than face trade penalties in European markets. Similarly, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, adopted last year, requires companies to address human rights and environmental issues within their supply chains or face fines of up to 5% of global turnover. Together, these policies are pushing governments and businesses worldwide to take responsibility for their climate and social impacts.

• I’m thankful that the transition to renewable energy is now unstoppable. Renewables are not only the cheapest source of electricity but also a cornerstone of energy security, allowing countries without abundant fossil fuels to power their own economies. And this is no longer theoretical—new data this week confirmed that renewables are actively replacing fossil fuels in meeting global energy demand.

• I’m grateful that China has emerged as a global clean-tech leader, with exports now surpassing the value of U.S. fossil fuel exports. It would be better if Canada and the U.S. were more fully part of that success—but for now, I’ll take progress wherever it comes from.

• I’m grateful that the global financial community is massively supporting clean technology investment. Capital is now flowing to the energy transition at roughly twice the rate of investment in fossil fuels.

• I’m grateful that energy security has become the primary driver of energy policy, accelerating the shift to renewables. I’m also thankful that countries around the world are rejecting the fossil fuel industry’s narrative that natural gas must serve as a “bridge” away from coal. Instead, they’re choosing renewables that are cheaper, faster to deploy, and powered by the wind and sun—sources of energy that can never be tariffed, embargoed, taxed, or manipulated by outside interests.

• I’m thankful for the growing number of legal rulings that defend the climate, and for advances in attribution science that can now trace climate damage directly back to the specific individual sources that caused it. I’m also grateful for the many lawyers who are driving real change through the courts, holding governments and corporations accountable.

As we pause to give thanks this week, it’s worth remembering that gratitude itself can be a source of strength. Every innovation, every policy, and every act of courage adds up. The progress we’ve made is proof that determined people can change the course of the future—and reason enough to stay hopeful, and to keep going.

Here are the other major climate stories from the week of October 6 to 12, 2025:

Canada Policy

It was a week for shopping ideas. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith went on a road show to promote a new bitumen pipeline to Canada’s west coast, while Prime Minister Mark Carney dangled the prospect of reviving the Keystone XL link to the U.S. to President Trump. Meanwhile, China suggested it might lift canola tariffs if Canada drops its EV tariffs.

• Alberta premier says Quebec should develop natural gas extraction – CTV News  – October 6
• Alberta Premier in Ottawa to lobby for federal partnership on energy projects – National Observer – October 7
• “Grand bargain” would result in more oilsands emissions, not less – Pembina.org – October 9
• Danielle Smith wants a fight with Canada, not a new pipeline – National Observer – October 8
• Carney Pitched Trump on Energy Alliance, Including Keystone XL – Bloomberg – October 8
• Keystone XL pipeline could play part in tighter US-Canada ties, Carney says  –  Reuters – October 10
• Head of Carney’s Major Projects Office thinks Trans Mountain is good for climate – National Observer – October 10
• A strange start for “climate competitiveness” – National Observer – October 3
• China will remove canola tariffs if Canada scraps EV levies: ambassador – CTV News – October 11
• Manitoba government unveils plan to make net-zero greenhouse gas emission decisions – CTV News – October 7

Oil and Gas Industry

It wasn’t a great week for oil and gas. Layoffs, falling prices, and too much supply—combined with signs of declining demand—point to tougher times ahead.

• Supermajors Slim Down to Protect Shareholder Payouts – Oil Price.com – October 3
• The fall of a Canadian giant – National Observer – October 3
• Oil Tankers Jam Seas as Global Glut Builds – Oil Price.com – October 9
• As oil glut fears mount, OPEC+ restrains output rises for now – BNN Bloomberg – October 7
• Surging OPEC+ oil output leaves market with shrinking shock absorbers – Reuters – October 6
• EU’s plan to phase out Russian energy clears first political hurdle – Reuters – October 8
• Enbridge investors to get billions as gas giant expands into small-town Ontario – National Observer – October 8

Coal

Despite steady progress on renewables, India continues to rely on coal to meet its growing energy demand.

• Indian states sign more coal power deals to meet rising demand – Reuters – October 7

Renewable Energy

It was an encouraging week for clean energy. New reports showed that in the first half of 2025, renewables met all of the growth in global electricity demand—plus a little extra—for the first time ever. The IEA highlighted how over 100 countries are now importing less fossil fuel thanks to renewables, while new data revealed that China’s clean-tech exports have surpassed U.S. fossil fuel exports. Even deep-red Texas may see its first annual decline in fossil fuel use for electricity this year.

• Solar and wind power has grown faster than electricity demand this year, report says – AP News – October 6
• IEA: Renewables have cut fossil-fuel imports for more than 100 countries – Carbon Brief – October 9
• IEA Report Claims Fossil Fuel Imports Have Declined In More Than 100 Countries – CleanTechnica – October 10
• China Is Beating the US in the Battle for Energy Export Dominance – Bloomberg – October 5
• Tracking China’s clean energy export dominance in seven charts – Reuters – October 9
• ‘Every electron counts’: Why renewables stocks are back in play – Reuters – October 10
• Early Signs of a ‘Turning Point’ as Renewables Edge Out Coal – The New York Times – October 7
• Global Renewable Power Capacity Expected to More than Double by 2030 – Inside Climate News – October 7
• Renewables Are a Global Economic Engine, Not a Culture War Threat – Desmog – September 29
• Texas wind speeds in focus as rare fossil fuel output cut in reach – Reuters – October 8
• Can new tech finally wake Canada’s sleeping geothermal giant? – National Observer – October 9
• Wind group Orsted to slash its workforce by a quarter by 2027 – Reuters – October 9
• Nuclear fusion firm Gauss unveils Europe’s first power plant design – Reuters – October 9
• Microsoft Signs 20-Year Renewable Energy Deals in Japan – ESG Today – October 6

Carbon Pricing

A new review of 25 years of research raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of carbon offsets.

• Carbon offsets fail to cut global heating due to ‘intractable’ systemic problems, study says – The Guardian – October 6

Carbon Capture

While Canadian developer Deep Sky expands its pilot projects, critics continue to question whether carbon capture is a viable solution for tackling climate change.

• The Collapse of Confidence in Carbon Capture – Oil Price.com – October 5
• Deep Sky announces plans to build carbon removal facility in Manitoba – BNN Bloomberg – October 9

Business Emissions

As the EU reviews its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive—which would require companies to address human rights and environmental issues in their supply chains or face fines of up to 5% of global sales—business groups are lobbying to weaken the proposed rules.

• Sustainable Switch: EU makes deeper cuts to sustainability rules – Reuters – October 10
• TotalEnergies, Siemens urge EU to abolish climate law, letter shows – Reuters – October 10
• Mark Carney’s Net-Zero Banking Alliance is done. Now what? – Corporate Knights – October 7
• Nestle quits global alliance on reducing dairy methane emissions – Reuters – October 8

Finance

Major announcements this week highlighted the massive flow of capital into energy transition funds, as countries outside the U.S. reaffirmed the global financial system’s commitment to the climate agenda.

• Brookfield Raises $20 Billion for Largest-Ever Energy Transition Fund – ESG Today – October 8
• Energy Impact Partners raises nearly $1.4 billion for third energy transition fund – Impact Alpha.com – October 7
• Germany launches 6 billion euro industrial decarbonisation program, includes CCS technology – Reuters – October 6
• Saudi Arabia’s PIF wealth fund plans dual-tranche green bond sale – Reuters – October 6
• EU to push development banks’ climate focus despite US opposition, draft shows – Reuters – October 7
• US declines to sign World Bank directors’ joint statement on climate agenda – Reuters – October 9

Economic Impact

In a world first, India is considering a nationwide parametric insurance program that would automatically trigger payouts after floods, heatwaves, or storms—speeding relief to affected communities.

• Exclusive: India considers introducing nationwide climate-linked insurance scheme – Reuters – October 6
• Coffee gets costlier as climate change threatens crops – National Observer – October 6

Electric Vehicles

EVs reached a record 18% of global new vehicle sales this week, driven largely by affordable Chinese brands dominating markets outside North America. In response, Tesla announced plans for lower-cost models, while some EU countries are pushing back against the 2035 target for all new vehicles to be electric.

• Global EV Sales Report — BEVs Reach 18% Share in August! – CleanTechnica – October 6
• UK becomes BYD’s largest international market after sales surge  – FT.com – October 6
• BYD is Driving Europe’s Electric Bus Push at Busworld 2025 – CleanTechnica – October 4
• Tesla debuts ‘affordable’ Model Y and 3 that strike some as too expensive – Reuters – October 8
• Germany’s Merz opposes EU’s hard cut-off for combustion cars from 2035 – Reuters – October 9
• What’s Ahead for the US Electric Vehicle Industry After Hitting a Massive Speed Bump? – Inside Climate News – October 9

Shipping

The U.S. is resorting to threats of punishment to dissuade countries from backing a global agreement to cut emissions from international shipping.

• US threatens visa restrictions, sanctions against UN members that back IMO emissions plan – Reuters – October 11

Legal Actions

Legal challenges to Trump’s climate policy rollbacks are growing within the U.S., while around the world, lawsuits against governments and oil companies continue to mount.

• California AG pledges more lawsuits against Trump’s green rollbacks – Reuters – October 6
• Solar groups sue Trump administration over cancellation of $7 bln in grants – Reuters – October 6
• Maryland Judges Weigh Whether Cities Can Sue Over Climate Change – NY Times
• Caribbean island residents ask court to order Dutch state to take climate action – Reuters – October 7

Disinformation

A shareholder advocacy group is challenging whether RBC’s published analysis of the LNG sector constitutes promotion and should fall under greenwashing laws, given the bank’s significant financial stake in the industry.

• Banks’ ties to LNG raise questions of greenwashing in ‘thought leadership’ – National Observer – October 9

Extreme Weather

September 2025 was the third-warmest on record, with global air and sea surface temperatures remaining well above average. Scientists attribute these persistent highs to greenhouse gas buildup, warning of growing risks to ecosystems, extreme weather, and rising sea levels.

• September Sees Persistently High Land and Sea Surface Temperatures Globally – Earth.Org – October 9

Wildfires

Canada’s second-worst fire season on record continues, having displaced more than 30,000 people at its peak. While most fires in the western provinces are now under control, new fronts have emerged in Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario.

• Explainer: Where are the Canada wildfires and are they under control? – Reuters – October 9