World Environment Day
Article accessed at www.un.org
This World Environment Day join us in the global effort to #BeatPlasticPollution
June 5th is the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day. Held annually since 1973, it is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment.
This year Côte d’Ivoire is the designated host. The country banned the use of plastic bags in 2014 to support a shift to reusable packaging. The largest city, Abidjan, has also become a hub for start-ups looking to beat plastic pollution.
“The scourge of plastic pollution is a visible threat that impacts every community around the world,” said Jean-Luc Assi, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development.
“As host of World Environment Day 2023, we welcome all sectors, from governments and businesses to civil society, to come together to find and champion solutions.”
World Environment Day will be supported by the Government of the Netherlands, which is one of the countries taking ambitious action along the plastic lifecycle.
It is a signatory of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment and a member of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter.
It is also a member of the High Ambition Coalition calling for a strong and ambitious international legally binding instrument to combat plastic pollution.
The announcement follows a resolution adopted in 2022 at the United Nations Environment Assembly to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with the ambition to complete the negotiations by end of 2024.
The instrument is to be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic.
“We must seize every opportunity and engage with every stakeholder to deal with the plastics problem in its entirety,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP’s Executive Director.
“Côte d’Ivoire and the Netherlands are among a number of countries rising to this challenge and embracing the benefits of a circular plastics economy. The commemoration of the 50th World Environment Day is a moment for all governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals to join this drive.”
For more information see the World Environment Day Beat Plastic Pollution Practical Guide, and for ways to reduce our reliance on plastics, see the following article from the Food and Agricultural Organisation here.
