The United Nations (UN’s) World Environment Day (WED) is annually observed across the globe on June 5 to promote awareness and action towards environmental protection and sustainability.
- June 5, 2025 marks the 53rd anniversary of the WED.
- The annual observance of WED has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the specialised agency of UN dedicated to environmental issues, since its inception in 1973.
Theme:
The theme for WED 2025 was “Beat Plastic Pollution“, emphasizing the urgent need to address plastic waste’s detrimental impacts on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
2025 Host Country:
i.The Republic of Korea hosts the global celebrations for the second time, having previously hosted in 1997.
- Key locations include Jeju Province (South Korea), which aims to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040 through initiatives like mandatory waste separation and a disposable cup deposit system.
ii.Azerbaijan will host the global celebrations of the WED 2026.
Note: India hosted the global celebrations of WED for the first time in 2011.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/2994 (XXVII) on 15 December 1972, officially designating 5 June as World Environment Day.
ii.The first World Environment Day was observed on 5 June 1973.
Why June 5?
The date 5 June commemorates the start of the landmark 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference), held from 5-16 June 1972 in Stockholm, Sweden.
- This was the first major UN conference focused solely on international environmental issues.
Significance:
i.WED is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach, engaging millions across >150 countries.
ii.It is vital for advancing the environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
iii.Urgent Action Needed: To limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius (°C), annual greenhouse gas emissions must be halved by 2030. Without action:
- Air pollution exceeding safe limits could rise by 50% within a decade.
- Plastic waste in aquatic ecosystems may triple by 2040.
Land Degradation and UNCCD Linkages:
While the 2025 theme focuses on plastic, WED also underscores broader environmental challenges:
i.The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) reports 40% of global land is degraded, affecting 50% of humanity and threatening USD 44 trillion in economic output.
ii.Drought frequency has risen by 29% since 2000, potentially impacting >75% of the world by 2050.
Global Plastic Pollution Crisis:
i.Globally, over 400 Million Tonnes (MT) of plastic are produced annually, with less than 10% being recycled.
ii.Approximately 11 MT of plastic waste enter lakes, rivers, and seas each year, equivalent to the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers.
iii.Microplastics are small plastic particles up to 5 millimetres (mm) in size. They are found in food, water, and air, and it is estimated that each person consumes over 50,000 plastic particles every year, with even more likely taken in through breathing.
iv.More than 800 marine and coastal species are affected by plastic pollution through ingestion, entanglement, and other hazards.
v.Plastic pollution imposes a significant economic burden globally, with estimated social and environmental costs ranging between USD 300 billion and USD 600 billion annually.
India’s Environmental Challenges:
On June 4, 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)’s State of India’s Environment in Figures 2025 released a report providing a data-driven analysis of India’s environmental and developmental status.
i.State Rankings (Based on 48 indicators):
- Environment: Andhra Pradesh (AP) (Top – strong forest/biodiversity; weak sewage treatment/pollution control).
- Agriculture: Sikkim (Top – organic farming/land-use; weak farmer welfare).
- Public Health: Goa (Top – medically certified deaths; faces bed shortages/low female workforce).
ii.Poor performers included large states such as Uttar Pradesh (UP), Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal (WB), which together account for 49% of India’s population.
- These states ranked low across all categories, indicating widespread challenges in environmental management, agriculture, and public health.
iii.In 2024, India experienced its warmest year on record, during which 25 states recorded their highest monthly 24-hour rainfall in the past 123 years.
iv.India contributed 7.8% of Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in 2023, marking the highest level since 1970.
2025 Events in India:
1.Tree Plantation Drive: ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam‘
On June 5, 2025, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India led a tree plantation initiative at Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in New Delhi(Delhi), planting a Banyan sapling under the campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.‘
- This campaign, initiated in 2024, encourages individuals to plant trees in honor of their mothers, symbolizing maternal care and environmental nurturing.
2.Aravalli Green Wall Project:
The plantation drive is part of the Aravalli Green Wall Project, aiming to restore the green cover across the 700 kilometer (km) long Aravalli range, spanning 29 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
- Objectives include enhancing soil health, improving water availability, boosting biodiversity, and generating employment opportunities for local communities.
3.Launch of Electric Buses:
The PM also flagged off 200 electric buses(e-buses)as part of the Delhi Government’s clean transport initiative, promoting sustainable urban mobility and reducing air pollution.
4.Educational Initiatives:
On June 4, 2025, Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE) chaired a national-level webinar titled “Ending Plastic Pollution Globally”, organized under the aegis of Eco Clubs for ‘Mission LiFEStyle For Environment(LiFE)’.
- The session included a presentation on waste management using simple steps: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse, Recover, Re-gift, Repair, and Rethink.
5.Acharya Prashant honoured with ‘Most Impactful Environmentalist’ award :
i.On June 5, 2025, philosopher and author Acharya Prashant was honored with the ‘Most Impactful Environmentalist’ award by the Green Society of India(GSI) during the World Environment Conference 2025 held in Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP).
ii.This recognition celebrates his unique contribution to integrating spiritual clarity with environmental awareness, inspiring millions to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.
iii.He launched ‘Operation 2030’, a nationwide initiative aimed at awakening and educating India’s youth about ecological responsibility.
