International. On the fifth of June, World Environment Day 2022 was celebrated, which this year has as its central theme "One Earth" and which will be hosted by the Government of Sweden in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The celebration will take place 50 years after the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, at which the establishment of UNEP was agreed and 5 June each year was designated as World Environment Day. "One Earth" was the motto of that conference held in 1972 and, 50 years later, it still stands: this planet is our only home and it is humanity's responsibility to safeguard its finite resources.
The slogan "One Earth" highlights the need to live sustainably, in harmony with nature, through substantial changes driven by policies and everyday choices that guide us towards cleaner and greener lifestyles.
"As the proud host of World Environment Day 2022, Sweden will highlight the most pressing environmental concerns, and showcase its global initiatives and efforts to address the climate and nature crisis. We invite the global community to join the current discussions and celebrations," said Environment and Climate Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Per Bolund.
According to the UNEP report Making Peace with Nature, released earlier this year, transforming social and economic systems means improving our relationship with nature, understanding its value and putting that value at the heart of decision-making.
According to UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, "In 2022 we expect the world to begin to turn the page on the worst chapter of the COVID-19 pandemic. And we do so with the knowledge that we continue to confront the three planetary crises that threaten our future: the crisis of climate change, that of biodiversity loss, and that of pollution and waste."
"Sweden's announcement, and a theme for World Environment Day that puts nature and people at the centre of environmental work, reminds us of the roots of work to protect our environment and injects vital impetus into global efforts to rebuild in a better and more sustainable way." Andersen added.
On the host country, Andersen said that "since hosting the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment five decades ago, it has made significant progress in protecting the environment, including the climate goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2045 and achieving a negative balance of emissions thereafter."
"Its role as host of World Environment Day in 2022 is therefore a reflection of historic commitment and leadership, and a high level of ambition for the future," Andersen concluded.
World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5 June. It is the flagship day of the United Nations to promote global awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has become the premier global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people around the world.
In addition, in 2022, the Government of Sweden will host the Stockholm+50 conference: A Healthy Planet for the Prosperity of All – our responsibility, our opportunity, an international meeting to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Stockholm Conference, accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achieve a sustainable recovery from COVID-19.
Stockholm+50 will provide an opportunity for the international community to strengthen cooperation and show leadership in the transformation towards a more sustainable society, in line with the declaration recently adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
The Stockholm Conference of 1972 resulted in the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which includes several guiding principles on global environmental governance. One of the main outcomes of the meeting was the establishment of UNEP and World Environment Day.
Source: UN.
