World Environment Day 2025; June 5th.

FORUM: “Beat Plastic Pollution.” World Environment Day 2025. Plastic pollution exacerbates the deadly impacts of the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste. Globally, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems each year, while microplastics accumulate in the soil from sewage and landfills, due to the use of plastics in agricultural products. The annual social and environmental cost of plastic pollution ranges between US$300 billion and US$600 billion. The observance this year will focus on ending plastic pollution. For decades, plastic pollution has seeped into every corner of the world, leaching into the water we drink, into the food we eat, and our bodies. While plastic pollution is a major concern, it is also one of the most fixable of today’s environmental challenges, with some obvious solutions at hand. World Environment Day joins the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution this year to mobilize communities worldwide to implement and advocate for solutions. World Environment Day will spotlight the growing scientific evidence on the impacts of plastic pollution and drive momentum to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastics use. It will also reinforce the global commitment made in 2022 to end plastic pollution through a global plastic pollution treaty. Follow the Conversations with the hashtags: #5june, #WorldEnvironmentDay, #beatplasticpollution, #Environment.

EVENTS: The Republic of Korea will host the World Environment Day 2025 celebrations. This is the Republic of Korea's second time to host global observations.

On thursday, 05 June 2025 from 13:00 to 15:00 hrs ICT (GMT+7); The UN Environment programme with the support of partner will celebrate the World Environment Day (WED) under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution. This year’s observance comes as countries make progress towards securing a global treaty to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Tune up to watch the livestream!

In November 2024, the Republic of Korea hosted the fifth session of negotiations to develop a plastic pollution treaty. The second part of the session will take place from 5 to 14 August in Geneva, Switzerland.

To join the online celebrations; Register to participate!

STATEMENTS: Read the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Environment Day 2025; June 5th,

This World Environment Day focuses on solutions to be;t plastic pollution.

And rightly so.

Plastic pollution is choking our planet – harming ecosystems, well-being, and the climate.

Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife.

And as it breaks-down into smaller and smaller parts, it infiltrates every corner of Earth: from the top of Mount Everest, to the depths of the ocean; from human brains; to human breastmilk.

Yet there is a movement for urgent change.

We are seeing mounting public engagement…

Steps towards reusability and greater accountability…

And policies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste management.

But we must go further, faster.

In two months, countries will come together to hammer-out a new global treaty to end plastic pollution.

We need an ambitious, credible and just agreement this year.

One that covers the life-cycle of plastic, through the perspective of circular economies…

That responds to the needs of communities…

That aligns with broader environmental goals, the sustainable development goals, and beyond…

And that is implemented fast and in full.

I urge negotiators to return to talks in August determined to build a common path through their differences and deliver the treaty our world needs.

Together, let’s end the scourge of plastic pollution and build a better future for us all.

Thank you.

António Guterres; U.N. Secretary-General.

Statement from the UNEP Executive Director on World Environment Day 2025; June 5th.

SPEECH: Read the Speech Delivered by the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment, Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema during the World Environment Day 2025 Commemoration Ceremony in Nairobi.

Distinguished guests, dear colleagues,

It is my pleasure to welcome you all today, in particular His Excellency Mr. Kang Hyung-shik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kenya and the Permanent Representative to UNEP. We are deeply grateful to the Republic of Korea for hosting World Environment Day in 2025. This marks the second time Korea has taken on this important role since the celebrations began in 1973.

Korea’s environmental journey is commendable. The country has made notable progress in key environmental indicators, including improved air and water quality. Recycling rates are on the rise, the environmental industry is expanding, and the overall quality of life for citizens has benefited as a result. Hosting World Environment Day in 2025 offers a valuable opportunity for Korea to reflect on this progress and renew its commitment to global solidarity and cooperation as we confront the urgent environmental challenges of our time.

I also want to extend my gratitude to our UNEP colleagues who are joining us today.

Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of the Industry and Economy Division, will share insights on the One UNEP Plastics Initiative.

Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the INC, is joining us online from Panama despite the time zone difference - thank you, Jyoti - for leading us through the preparations for the fifth session of the INC on Plastic Pollution, which will be held in Geneva from the 5th to the 14th of August.

Doreen Robinson, Deputy Director of the Ecosystems Division, will present an exciting new platform that compiles data on plastic pollution and marine litter; an important tool to help Member States develop evidence-based policies.

To all Member States and UNEP personnel present here: thank you, thank you. You are the driving force behind implementing and advocating for lasting solutions to end plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is one of the defining environmental challenges of our time. It is a growing crisis that threatens both planetary and human well-being. In 2025 alone, the world is expected to consume 516 million tonnes of plastics.

Each year, approximately 13 million tonnes of plastics accumulate in our soils. Even more alarming, microplastics have been found in human arteries, lungs, brains and even in breast milk. This issue touches every corner of our world and every part of our lives.

But this is a problem we can fix, and we are beginning to see the solutions emerge. Countries are increasingly putting in place regulations that incentivize better plastic product design, including making packaging reusable.

They are asking critical questions: How do we design plastics to be recycled without exposing people or ecosystems to harmful chemicals at the product’s end of life? Are those who place products on the market being held accountable for their impact, including unlocking financing for solutions?


With all environmental challenges, moments to elevate solutions matter and that’s what World Environment Day has done for more than 50 years. Since 1973, it has served as a truly global platform for awareness, action, and change.

In 2024, Saudi Arabia hosted the event under the theme Generation Restoration, generating more than 50,000 news stories in 178 countries. This will be the third time World Environment Day focuses on the theme of #BeatPlasticPollution. The first time was in 2018, when we succeeded in raising global awareness of the issue. Since then, people around the world have come to understand: it is time for change.

World Environment Day 2025 is about delivering lasting solutions to Beat-Plastic-Pollution. Because real change doesn’t come from awareness alone; it comes through all of us: through markets, consumer choices, policy incentives, and finance flows.

The solutions are available, and the benefits are undeniable. Today, only 9 percent of all plastics produced are actually recycled globally. But the rewards of fixing plastic pollution are clear. A circular economy for plastics offers a sustainable path forward; one that must include all stakeholders across the plastics value chain.

UNEP is doing its part through several key initiatives. The One UNEP Plastics Initiative presents a bold and transformative vision: to end global plastic pollution. It aims to create an enabling and empowering environment that accelerates market transformation. At its core is upstream innovation; designing products to be reused, recycled, and repurposed in a circular system.

Our Global Plastics Hub is another critical tool. It integrates data from multiple sources to support evidence-based decision-making on marine litter, plastic pollution, and related issues. It is a voluntary open-ended partnership that brings together international agencies, governments, businesses, academia, local authorities, and non-governmental organizations to cooperate and innovate on tackling these challenges.

In 2018, UNEP joined forces with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation on the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which unites public and private sector leaders in the shift toward a circular economy.

We also continue to support the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, which unites the tourism sector behind a shared vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. This effort empowers businesses, governments, and other stakeholders to take bold action. It is led by UNEP and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and developed within the framework of the Sustainable Tourism Programme of the One Planet Network.

Finally, I want to highlight the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, or INC. In 2022, Member States agreed at the UN Environment Assembly to begin negotiations on a legally binding international instrument to tackle plastic pollution, including marine litter. Since then, countries have met five times under the INC process. The second part of the fifth session - INC-5.2 - will take place in Geneva this August, following the first part held in Busan, Republic of Korea, last December.

We are at a critical turning point; a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure a global treaty that redefines our relationship with plastics and safeguards both human and environmental health.

Ending plastic pollution requires action from everyone, everywhere. But the conversations start here. I encourage all of you to dive in, to engage fully, to share your knowledge and your questions. This is your chance to connect, learn, and help shape solutions for a healthier planet.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema.

CAMPAIGN: To end plastic pollution, countries must turn ambition into action. From schools and community groups to businesses, cities, and governments, everyone is encouraged to host an event focused on #BeatPlasticPollution or environmental action.

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: The 2025 campaign calls for collective, transformative action to end plastic pollution. Learn how everyone can help prevent plastic pollution; Explore the visual tools, View the practical Guide and Get the campaign materials!

THE 2025 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY MAP: Explore events near you!

         Select Country       AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAngolaArgentinaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBelgiumBeninBermuda (United Kingdom)BhutanBolivia (Plurinational State of)Bosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCentral African RepublicChileChinaColombiaCongoCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCyprusCôte D'IvoireDemocratic Republic of the CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuineaHaitiHondurasIndiaIndonesiaIran (Islamic Republic of)IraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKuwaitKyrgyzstanLebanonLiberiaLibyaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMongoliaMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands (Kingdom of the)New Caledonia (France)New ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorwayPakistanPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRepublic of KoreaRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicThailandTimor-LesteTogoTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTürkiyeUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited Republic of TanzaniaUnited States of AmericaUruguayVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet NamYemenZambiaZimbabwe

International Mother Earth Day 2024; April 22nd.

FORUM: "Planet vs.Plastics." Earth Day 2024. This year’s Earth Day 2024 theme is Planet vs. Plastics, the campaign aims to demand a 60% reduction in plastics by 2040. This year marks the 54th anniversary of Earth Day, a global celebration encouraging environmental stewardship in support of a healthy planet. First held on April 22, 1970, it now features a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earth Day Network, including one billion people in more than 193 countries. The official themeis “Planet vs. Plastics”. Earth Day is an opportunity for communities to come together and get outside to enjoy and help protect their favorite places. It can also inspire visitors to public lands to make a difference in the world by learning about and taking care of our natural resources. The public plays a vital role in helping to support a healthy planet with resilient national forests and grasslands, clean air and water, diverse wildlife habitats, and opportunities to recreate outdoors in a natural environment. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #EarthDay, #22april, #ClimateAction, #EarthDay2024 #PlanetvsPlastics .

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on behalf the observance of the International Mother Earth; April 22nd.

On Earth Day, we must stand for our planet. A planet threatened by climate change, by pollution, by biodiversity loss. A planet that needs to be rescued. So we must unite. And we must mobilize all our efforts for Climate Action.

Statement by David Cooper, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of the International Mother Earth Day 22 April 2024.

Mother Earth is life-giving, nurturing, complex, and beautiful. We see this in mountain ranges, rainforests, coral reefs, wetlands, and in the full diversity of life and cultures on this planet. Biodiversity is the heartbeat of Mother Earth. The triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution is threatening Mother Earth, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the global vision of living in harmony with nature. Indigenous peoples and local communities, including youth and children, are at the forefront of protecting Mother Earth but they are also among the most directly affected by these crises. In December of 2022, the global community took a huge step towards a positive change. It agreed upon the most ambitious set of global goals and targets to protect nature that the world has ever seen. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, or The Biodiversity Plan, aims to protect and restore nature, to prosper with nature, to share benefits fairly, and to invest and collaborate for nature. These goals are supported by 23 action targets that address both the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss. The Biodiversity Plan recognizes and considers diverse value systems and concepts, including for those countries that recognize them, rights of nature and rights of Mother Earth. The Plan also acknowledges the important roles and contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities as custodians of biodiversity and as partners in its conservation, restoration and sustainable use. Their traditional knowledge, innovations and practices are crucial to halting and reversing biodiversity loss. To achieve the goals and targets of The Biodiversity Plan it will take a holistic, whole-of-society approach. We all have a role to play. On this International Mother Earth Day, let us pause to cherish and strengthen our relationship with the land, air, water, plants, and animals. Let us focus on the ways that Mother Earth provides for our health and wellbeing – physically, mentally, spiritually. In turn, let us take action to protect her.We can all be part of the Plan -- The Biodiversity Plan,

CBD Executive Director.

EVENTS: Public support for plastic reduction target grows ahead of INC4.

Public support for a comprehensive, legally-binding treaty to reduce the production of plastics is growing in the run up to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting in Ottawa, Canada, later this month. Around 100 organisations from across the world are calling on governments to introduce a Global Plastics Treaty setting out national targets to reduce plastic production. They cite the success of the Montreal Protocol of 1987, where governments agreed to protect the ozone layer by dramatically reducing the production of harmful chemicals such as CFCs and HCFCs.

Tackling plastic pollution has always enjoyed popular support, but recent polling shows extremely high levels of public backing for reducing plastic production. A poll conducted across 19 countries in February this year shows eight in ten people support a reduction in plastic production, with similar levels of support for banning single-use plastics. Meanwhile, country delegates are facing pressure from more than two million people who have signed a petition calling for a global treaty to cut production.
Damaging impacts

Environmental pollution and human health concerns are driving public support for tackling plastic production. Ecosystems across the world have been severely impacted by plastic, which causes habitat degradation, chemical contamination, and death and injuries through entanglement. Plastics break down into micro and nanoplastics, which are comprised of toxic chemicals and enter the food chain, causing health problems for wildlife and humans including weakened immune systems and reproductive issues. Equally important, however, is plastic’s impact on climate change. Ninety-nine per cent of plastic is made from fossil fuels. As a result, the full lifecycle of plastics is responsible for 4% of global greenhouse emissions. Indeed, plastics alone are expected to account for at least 13% of the world’s carbon budget before 2050 if we are to stay within the Paris 1.5C temperature limit. Plastic is, therefore, a key market for fossil fuel companies, which despite the dangers of climate change are keen to expand production at a time when their core businesses are coming under threat from renewable energy and electrification.

Reduction targets: Governments across the world have introduced measures to address these serious environmental, climate and health problems by trying to reduce demand for plastics – for example more than 120 countries have introduced bans or taxes on single-use plastics. Massive efforts have also been made to increase recycling. These have had little impact. The world is now producing twice as much plastic as it did twenty years ago, with forecasts suggesting production will almost triple by 2050. Currently, only 9% of global production is successfully recycled, while 22% evades all waste management systems altogether and is simply dumped into the environment. The rest goes to landfill or is incinerated. Just 6% of total production is accounted for by recycled plastic. There is a massive disparity in the amount of plastic waste produced by different countries, but almost half comes from developed countries, which have the resources to tackle the problem.

Fossil fuel lobbying: Despite the obvious shortcomings of recycling as a solution, the fossil fuel industry is keen to focus attention on it while increasing demand for plastics in the hope of continuing to increase production. Indeed, together with the chemicals industry, the fossil fuel industry sent more than 140 lobbyists to the INC3 session in Nairobi at the end of last year, more than the number of delegates attending from 70 countries. The focus for many others has now moved to cutting production. The Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is calling for at least a 70% reduction by 2050, with legally-binding rules for national targets to make sure that action is taken. Greenpeace is calling for a 75% reduction by 2040 to ensure the best chance of remaining within 1.5C. Academics at both Lund University and UC Berkeley have also called for restrictions on production. All eyes will now be on the negotiations in Ottawa to see if nations act on these recommendations and finally agree rules to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution that is causing untold damage to the climate, environment and health.

OTHER EVENTS: April 22nd marks the world’s 54th Earth Day!

 National Park Week usually coincides with Earth Day. For 2024, U.S. National Park Week will be observed from Saturday, April 20th through Sunday, April 28th. Park entry fees will be waived on April 20th to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy their national parks. Honor Earth Day 2024 by organizing or participating in a local clean up, and by exploring the Eearth Day Network to learn about efforts in plastic reduction and sustainability through the Green Parks Plan (GPP) and Plastics Elimination and Reduction Plan.

AT U.S. FOREST SERVICE - The Middle Fork Earth Day cleanup event is open to the public. Volunteers will be collecting and removing non-hazardous litter from the Forest. Participants will meet at the C.T. Beach Picnic Area on Hills Creek Reservoir at 11 a.m. before dispersing to pick up trash in surrounding locations. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend; minors must be accompanied by an adult. Tools, trash bags, and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided. Restrooms are available in the day use area. Participants should wear weather-appropriate attire and bring water, lunch, sunscreen, work gloves, hats, and boots with ankle support.

Event details: Middle Fork Earth Day Cleanup
Where: C.T. Beach Picnic Area on Hills Creek Reservoir, Oakridge, OR
When: Saturday, April 20th
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

AT THE U.S. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - The event will be an awareness campaign on the new recommendations adopted on forests like (the plastic use and garbage storage) and the Waste Management in Remote Locations. This year’s Earth Day 2024 "Planet vs. Plastics" campaign encompasses the 4 goals highlighted below:

Widespread Awareness

The first goal is to bring widespread awareness to the importance of ending plastic pollution by helping everyone understand the impacts of plastic pollution. Plastic is everywhere and the impact on human health is not yet fully understood. However, we know through emerging research that plastic has made its way into our bodies. Read more about the health implications of plastics here.Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, has issued a Secretary’s Order (SO) calling for a department-wide approach to reducing plastic pollution and calling for a reduction in the amount of plastic waste produced by the Department. In response to the SO, the NPS has developed a Plastics Elimination and Reduction Plan that includes actions for concessioners, commercial use authorization (CUA) holders, and partners of the NPS.

Phasing out Single-use Plastics

Plastics are the most common type of marine debris. More than 200 species have been documented consuming plastic and it is estimated that at least 14 million tons end up in the ocean annually. The breakdown of larger plastics in our environment leads to microplastics that are found nearly everywhere in our world including in the human body. The impacts of single use plastics on the environment and public heath are widespread. Concessioners can support the efforts to phase out single-use plastics by identifying alternatives and participating in the initiatives outlined in the Plastic Elimination and Reduction plan like sales of reusable water bottles and water in aluminum bottles and paper cartons; installation of water bottle refilling stations; elimination of plastic utensils and Styrofoam products; elimination of single-use toiletry products in plastic containers in lodging; and new and improved electronic/battery recycling. The U.S National Park Service discontinued the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers several years ago. Drinking straws should not be made out of plastic and available only on request at food and beverage outlets. Receipts should be electronic unless a paper receipt is requested. Read more about microplastics in drinking water at EarthDay.org

Demanding Policies Ending Fast Fashion

The clothing and apparel industry is one of the most polluting industries. Nearly 70% of clothing is made using crude oil. During the manufacturing process, toxic dyes, microfibers, and heavy metals are released into water streams. Clothing production has doubled since 2000 and shows no signs of slowing down as demand continues to grow and clothing items are not produced to last. Synthetic textiles contribute 60% of the microplastics in the environment. Concessioners can help reduce textiles in landfills by offering clothing made of 100%  cotton, hemp, and other natural fibers, and using natural fiber linens in lodging (sheets and towels) and restaurants (napkins and tablecloths). Offer high quality items that can be reused for years to come.

Investing in Innovative Technologies

Implementing innovated technology can drastically reduce our environmental impact and has the power to reduce our plastic use too. Consider purchasing items packaged in bioplastics made from renewable sources like vegetable fats, corn, food waste, when possible. Microplastic filters can be installed on laundry machines. In Golden Gate National Recreation area, the first hybrid ferries are carrying visitors to and from Alcatraz. These are just three examples of innovative technology transforming environmental impact. The NPS is using new technologies to adopt a zero-emission fleet, transitioning all eligible vehicles to zero emission vehicles. Read more about the park’s Green Our Rides objectives in the GPP. Vehicle tire ‘dust’ contributes 40% of microplastics in the environment; consider investing in longer wear tires that are less likely to shed dust. Although digitalization is not at the forefront of innovation, eliminating the production and use of paper products using technology is easy and has a big impact. Eliminating paper receipts alone has the potential save around 12 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), the equivalent of one million cars on the road. Most paper receipts are not recyclable due to a thin coating of plastic. Consider providing email receipts or only upon request and finding other ways to reduce paper use in your operations.

COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Make a splash with the 2024 Earth Day poster - Water touches everything.

PANEL I PLENARY SESSIONS   

PART II - PLENARY SESSION