The Role of Businesses in Celebrating World Environment Day: A Guide

What is World Environment Day?

World Environment Day, celebrated every year on June 5, is an initiative by the  United Nations’ (UN) to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment. Led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) since 1973, it now involves millions of people across over 150 countries.

History

World Environment Day was established in 1972 during the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, marking the first major international gathering focused on environmental issues. The inaugural celebration took place on June 5, 1973, under the theme “Only One Earth,” and has since evolved into the UN’s flagship day for promoting global environmental awareness and action.

Each year focuses on a specific theme. For 2026, it's "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future", a call to move beyond awareness and take real action on climate change. Nature-based solutions are also central to this year's message. The global event is hosted by Azerbaijan.

Different Ways to Participate

How to Get Involved in World Environment Day

There are many ways for organizations to participate in World Environment Day, from cleaning up their practices to building stronger partnerships with environmental organizations. Here are a few ways for businesses to take part:

Implement Waste Reduction Practices

Companies can start their celebration of World Environment Day by reducing single-use plastics, improving recycling programs, and minimizing packaging materials. Encouraging employees to adopt eco-friendly habits—like using reusable items—also supports waste reduction efforts. In the long run, these actions help lower operational costs while demonstrating environmental commitment.

Organize Tree Planting Events

Tree planting events allow businesses to directly contribute to ecosystem restoration and carbon offsetting. Hosting or sponsoring these events can also engage employees and local communities in a meaningful way. As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), such activities strengthen a company’s public image and community impact.

Conduct Sustainability Workshops

Hosting workshops for employees or partners promotes awareness about sustainable practices and environmental challenges. These sessions can focus on energy efficiency, waste management, and responsible sourcing, and be supplemented with mobile training courses for supplementary information and retention. Educated teams are more likely to support and implement green initiatives company-wide.

Launch Green Innovation Changes

Businesses can use World Environment Day to unveil eco-friendly product lines, invest in sustainable technologies, or optimize supply chains. These innovations not only reduce environmental impact but also meet the rising demand for green products. Staying ahead with sustainable offerings can improve market competitiveness.

Audit and Update Practices

Environmental audits help businesses assess their current impact and identify areas for improvement. Updating policies around energy use, emissions, and material sourcing creates a stronger foundation for long-term sustainability. Conducting regular reviews ensures that the company remains compliant with regulations and aligned with global environmental goals.

Shifting to Sustainable Practices with Technology

Modern technology allows companies to move towards more sustainable practices by offering tools that monitor, optimize, and reduce resource use. For example, Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors can track real-time energy consumption, AI can streamline supply chains to cut emissions, and smart thermostats can reduce energy waste. Companies can also use cloud storage and digital checklists to minimize paper usage, helping companies operate more efficiently while reducing their environmental footprint.

An example solution that does all this is Mitti (by SafetyCulture). This digital platform can help businesses streamline environmental awareness and preservation efforts and ensure the quality of every initiative performed. Mitti (by SafetyCulture) also comes with analytical features that can help give insight into the performance of sustainable practices, helping identify points for improvement and wins.

Enhancing Brand Reputation and Customer Loyalty with World Environment Day Participation

World Environment Day is important for businesses because it highlights the growing need for sustainable practices in today’s economy. It also provides opportunities for innovation, cost savings, and compliance with emerging environmental regulations, making sustainability both a smart and strategic business decision.

Participating in this event can also significantly boost customer loyalty by showing that a company genuinely cares about the planet. This is especially true today, wherein consumers are now more environmentally conscious and tend to support brands that reflect their values. When businesses take visible steps like hosting sustainability events or launching green initiatives, they build better trust and emotional connection with their customers.