By Cindy et Benoit
Table of Contents
Every year on June 5, we celebrate World Environment Day. This day was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1972 in Stockholm. Its goal is to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting our environment, as well as to encourage concrete actions for its preservation. More than 150 countries take part in this day every year.
The first celebration took place in 1973 under the slogan "Only One Earth". Over the years, this day has mobilized millions of people and helped influence our consumption habits and environmental policies, both nationally and internationally.
Each year highlights a specific theme. For example, in 2023, the theme was "Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience", which helped shed light on the current issues related to climate change.
The 2025 Theme:
This year, the chosen theme is: "Beat Plastic Pollution".
Plastic pollution is now everywhere — it affects oceans, soils, and even our bodies, with traces of microplastics found in drinking water and food. Each year, nearly 11 million tonnes of plastic end up in aquatic ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and worsening both climate and health crises.
In 2025, the Republic of Korea will host the official World Environment Day celebrations on Jeju Island, which is committed to eliminating plastic pollution by 2040. The country stands out for its comprehensive life-cycle approach to plastic, involving producers, consumers, and local authorities in reducing, reusing, and recycling.
This edition comes at a crucial time, as negotiations on a legally binding international treaty to combat plastic pollution are making progress. The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee will take place in Geneva in August 2025.
Why take part in this day?
Nature is in danger and time is running out! If we want to keep global warming below 1.5°C this century, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030!
Key figures:
- 40% of the planet’s land is degraded, directly affecting half of the global population (according to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification).
- Without urgent action, droughts could affect more than 3/4 of the world population by 2050.
- Every 5 seconds, an area equivalent to a football field is eroded.
- Over the past 20 years, terrestrial water reserves have decreased by 1 cm per year.
Conclusion:
This edition of World Environment Day comes at a key moment, as negotiations for a legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution are advancing. The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee will be held in Geneva in August 2025.