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

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Jun 5, 2023, 9:20

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 2 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 2023

Every year, the United Nations announces a new World Environment Day theme. The celebratory events such as seminars and conferences all revolve around the chosen theme of the year. World Environment Day theme 2023 is “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”. Along with the theme, the hashtag #BeatPlasticPollution will be used.

This year’s theme focuses on encouraging people to give up on the usage of plastic and identify it as the source of environmental degradation. World Environment Day is celebrated in a new host country every year. We have shared further information about the same below.

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.

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FAQs on World Environment Day

Q1. When is World Environment Day?

World Environment Day will be celebrated on June 5, 2023. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of Environment Day, which was first celebrated in 1973. This day raises awareness about the need for environmental protection and encourages world leaders to take action for the same.

Q2. What is the theme of World Environment Day 2023?

World Environment Day theme 2023 is “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”. Along with the theme, the hashtag #BeatPlasticPollution will be used. This year’s World Environment Day theme encourages everyone to give up on the usage of plastic.

Q3. Which is the World Environment Day 2023 host country?

Every year, the United Nations announces a new host country for Environment Day. Ivory Coast (West Africa) is the World Environment Day 2023 host country. The Netherlands will partner up with Ivory Coast to organize the annual celebration of Environment Day on June 2, 2023.

Q4. Why is June 5 celebrated as World Environment Day?

June 5 marks the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 5 as World Environment Day to commemorate this important occasion.

Q5. Who started World Environment Day?

The United Nations General Assembly started World Environment Day in the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. This conference focused on discussing the interaction between humans and the environment. On June 5, 1973, the first World Environment Day was celebrated.

Q6. How to celebrate World Environment Day?

Around 143 countries worldwide celebrate World Environment Day on June 5 every year. Here are some of the ways to celebrate this day:

Attend seminars and conferences that discuss environmental conservation,
Take a pledge to do your part in conserving the environment.
Encourage the people around you to live sustainably and give up on plastic use.

Q7. What was the theme of World Environment Day 2022?

World Environment Day theme 2022 was “Only One Earth”. This theme aimed to resonate as a wake-up call for all to help them realize that Earth is our only home that we should protect and care for. The United Nations announces a new theme for Environment Day every year.