World Environment Day — when is it celebrated? Everything you need to know about it

World Environment Day – what is it and why is it important?

The United Nations long ago recognized that humanity must confront an escalating environmental crisis with many faces: global warming, biodiversity loss, ecological degradation, and the aggressive exploitation of natural resources. These are just some of the threats that communities face if they do not act in time to protect what is shared by all – the environment.

The fight for sustainable business practices and environmental protection is ongoing, but World Environment Day serves as a tribute to honor all efforts aimed at protecting nature. June 5th is a reminder that the work for a better future continues, and that everyone can contribute a small piece that, combined with other efforts, reflects respect for the natural world.

World Environment Day reminds us not to cease efforts in seeking ways to protect the environment. It sends an unspoken message to all market participants – consumers, NGOs, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, and perhaps most importantly, governments.

June 5 – World Environment Day: history and purpose

World Environment Day was first established in 1972 during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. The first day of the conference fell on June 5th, which is why this date was designated as the annual observance.

On the same day, the UN General Assembly also passed a resolution establishing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), tasked with environmental protection and monitoring actions taken by countries in this field.

For several years, World Environment Day was celebrated under the slogan “Only One Earth.” Since 1975, each annual celebration has focused on a specific environmental issue. Examples include:

• Water: Source of Life (1976, Canada)
• Ozone Layer Depletion and Land Degradation (1977, Bangladesh)
• Sustainable Development (1979, Bangladesh)

Recent themes include:

• Combating Drought and Desertification under the slogan “Be Re:Generative” (2024, Saudi Arabia)
• Plastic Pollution (2023, Ivory Coast)
• Only One Earth (2022, Sweden)

Each year, a host country is selected where official celebrations and UN meetings take place, often aligned with the theme. For example, in 2024, Saudi Arabia was chosen due to its ongoing challenges with drought and water scarcity.

How is World Environment Day celebrated worldwide?

There are many ways to celebrate World Environment Day. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are now widely used to spread initiatives, reach large audiences, and encourage sharing of ideas.

While there is no single universal method for celebrating, common activities include:

• Planting trees
• Cleaning beaches and local areas
• Organizing public talks and workshops
• Participating in collective protests advocating for positive environmental changes
• Choosing eco-friendly transportation for the day, such as biking instead of using a car

Examples around the world include tree planting in Kenya and the Maldives, large murals in the United States, and urban garden initiatives in Ireland, Singapore, and India.

Even though individuals cannot impact the environment globally on their own, small local actions can make a tangible difference.

What can you do on World Environment Day? Ideas and inspiration

Governments play a decisive role in shaping pro-environment policies through legislation and regulations. However, legislative processes often take time and are influenced by various interest groups.

Therefore, environmental initiatives should also be bottom-up. Consumers can help by:

• Using eco-friendly detergents
• Choosing sustainable transportation on the day of observance
• Cleaning local parks or forests

Involving children helps instill environmental awareness from an early age.

Businesses can contribute on a larger scale by:

• Granting employees an extra day off for eco-friendly activities
• Conducting environmental audits or implementing ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
• Transitioning to renewable energy, through installations or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with reliable providers

Other strategies include reducing carbon footprints, using electric transportation, managing waste responsibly, and educating employees.

June 5th can also be an opportunity to reflect on your personal relationship with the environment. Nature does not call for help explicitly, and one day, what we take for granted – clean forests, rivers, and seas – could disappear. Awareness and sensitivity are therefore critical, and there is no clear timeline for action.

For businesses seeking sustainable growth, professional guidance can help create a customized development plan, incorporating solutions tailored to the company’s operations and budget.