World Environment Day

World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on June 5 every year to remind people about the importance of nature. It is celebrated across the globe to tell people that nature should not be taken for granted and must be respected for its values.

The theme for this year:

The theme for World Environment Day 2021 is ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ and Pakistan will be the global host for the big day. This day will also see the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. In 2020, the theme was ‘Celebrate Biodiversity’.

As global citizens within an environmentally-conscious workplace, how can you and your people do your parts to make a difference on the world from the office? We have some ideas for how your team can make a global impact locally.

Clear the air by combating air pollution

Among the ideas to reduce air pollution during the work week include:

• Using public transport or car sharing, cycle or walk
• Switching to a hybrid or electric vehicle
• Reducing meat and dairy consumption to help cut methane emissions
• Composting organic food items and recycling non-organic trash
• Turning off lights and electronics when not in use

Start a community garden project

Within the office, adding greenery around the workplace with planters along window sills and potted plants in workspaces can do wonders in improving the indoor air quality.

Participate in a beach or park cleanup

From collecting cigarettes left on the beach to picking up plastic scraps tossed on the grass in the park, there are numerous initiatives to help keep our public spaces clean that you and your people can volunteer your time with together.

Challenge your office to a Paper-Free Day

If your company runs on paperless HR administration, you already know the benefits of going digital in the workplace. Use World Environmental Day as an opportunity to introduce the environmental benefits of reducing (and eventually eliminating) paper usage in the office. With a Paper-Free Day, a day in which your people are challenged to not use the printer or copier for tasks, your team members will become aware of their habits and consider how they can switch to digital means instead.