World Environment Day (5 June) is the UN’s most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. The global theme and host for World Environment Day changes each year to highlight a range of environmental matters. The theme for this year is “beat plastic pollution – if you can’t reuse it, refuse it”.
The Society for the Environment champions the annual UN initiative, and this year, alongside a range of partners including Energy & Utility Skills, they are encouraging individuals and organisations to protect our environment by pledging to use less plastic. It is well documented that plastic waste is a huge problem globally and it needs to be addressed with positive action.
“If we continue business as usual, by 2050 there could be more plastics than fish in the ocean (by weight).” – The Ellen MacArthur Foundation
With the help of social media and websites, the Society and its partners will be spreading the word about plastic consumption, especially single-use plastic, using the hashtag #PledgeLessPlastic. Energy & Utility Skills is delighted to share that we’re replacing plastic water cups with recyclable paper water cups for all delegates attending meetings, briefings and training courses in our offices.
Vice Chair of the Society for the Environment, Dougal Driver CEnv, said “Never has the environment been under so much pressure and so it is great to be part of the Society’s drive to reduce plastic pollution via a great mix of inspiring case studies and requests for pledges. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved and make a difference.”
Kate Davies, Chief Operating Officer of Energy & Utility Skills, said “Our colleagues across the energy & utilities sector work hard every day to keep our environment safe and clean. At Energy & Utility Skills, we’re delighted to be taking part in the #PledgeLessPlastic campaign and are encouraging everyone at our organisation to think about their use of plastics and what we can all do, both as individuals and as a collective, to reduce our impact on the environment.”
To get involved and for ideas and inspiration, search #PledgeLessPlastic on twitter.