World Environment Day [June 5]: Host, Theme, Significance

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Apr 14, 2023, 6:55

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year to encourage everyone to do their part to protect the environment. First celebrated in 1973, this day aims to raise awareness about the need for environmental protection. The year 2023 will mark the 50th edition of World Environment Day, which will be celebrated under the theme “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”.

The celebrations for this day are led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which encourages all UN member states to observe the day. In this article, we have shared further information about World Environment Day, its theme, history, and significance.

World Environment Day 2023

Every year, World Environment Day sees participation from 143 countries worldwide. This day is observed to acknowledge environmental damage and finding out ways of reversing it. Everyone including governments, non-governmental organizations, environmentalists, etc. participates in Environment Day celebrations annually.

Every year, the United Nations chooses a host country for World Environment Day celebrations. Find out about this year’s host country along with other important details below.

Day	World Environment Day
Celebrated	June 5 (every year)
Established	1973
World Environment Day Theme 2023	Solutions to Plastic Pollution
World Environment Day 2023 Host	Côte d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast
Objective	To raise awareness about environmental degradation with the aim of motivating people to protect the environment

World Environment Day is Celebrated On?

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 annually. The United Nations Environment Programme hosts the annual event for this day. Every year, a new host country is announced for Environment Day. This year, the Ivory Coast will be the host country, and the Netherlands will partner with the Ivory Coast to organize the 50th World Environment Day celebration.World Environment Day Theme and Host (2003-2023)

Check out the Environment Day host count and World Environment Day theme for the last twenty years, from 2003 to 2023 below.

Year	Environment Day Host	World Environment Day Theme
2022	Sweden	Only One Earth
2021	Pakistan	Ecosystem restoration
2020	Colombia	Time for Nature
2019	People's Republic of China	Beat Air Pollution
2018	New Delhi, India	Beat Plastic Pollution
2017	Ottawa, Canada	Connecting People to Nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator
2016	Luanda, Angola	Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife trade
2015	Rome, Italy	Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.
2014	Bridgetown, Barbados	Raise your voice, not the sea level
2013	Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia	Think.Eat.Save. Reduce Your Foodprint
2012	Brasilia, Brazil	Green Economy: Does it include you?
2011	Delhi, India	Forests: Nature at your Service
2010	Rangpur, Bangladesh	Many Species. One Planet. One Future
2009	Mexico City, Mexico	Your Planet Needs You – Unite to Combat Climate Change
2008	Wellington, New Zealand	Kick The Habit – Towards A Low Carbon Economy
2007	London, England	Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?
2006	Algiers, Algeria	Deserts and Desertification – Don't Desert Drylands!
2005	San Francisco, United States	Green Cities – Plant for the Planet!
2004	Barcelona, Spain	Wanted! Seas and Oceans – Dead or Alive?
2003	Beirut, Lebanon	Water – Two Billion People are Dying for It!

Environment Day History

The history of World Environment Day can be traced back to 1972 when the United Nations proclaimed the establishment of the day. Here is the history and timeline of this day.

• During the first Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972, the UN declared June 5 as Environment Day.
• This day was established after recognizing the need to spread the message of environmental protection further.
• In 1973, the first World Environment Day was celebrated worldwide. The slogan for this event was “Only One Earth”.
• The message of this day registered with the people and today, 143 countries participate in the annual Environment Day celebration.
• The year 2023 will mark the 50th edition of World Environment Day and it will be celebrated in Ivory Coast, with the Netherlands as partners.

World Environment Day Significance

The Earth is the only home to mankind. Environment Day aims to emphasize this simple statement with the aim of encouraging more and more people to work towards environmental conservation. Here is why World Environment Day is a significant event.

• It raises awareness about the many ways in which our environment is getting degraded.
• This day encourages people and leaders to think of appropriate solutions for environmental preservation.
• World Environment Day is the perfect opportunity to reflect on your actions and decide to live life more sustainably.

World Environment Day 2023 Activities

A lot of activities are planned on Environment Day every year. Here are some of the ways in which people celebrate this day.

• Attending the annual conference in the host country designated by the United Nations.
• Encouraging the use of sustainable products and discouraging plastic usage.
• On World Environment Day, people host events and educate one another about the need for environmental protection.
• People also participate in Environment Day activities virtually by joining the official social media campaign.