Global leaders unite for land restoration on World Environment Day

World Environment Day is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world.

World Environment Day, this year is being hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the 5th of June.

The 2024 day is focusing on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. As a nation facing degradation, desertification and drought, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is deeply invested in delivering solutions. The Kingdom is acting nationally and regionally through the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. And it is acting globally, as we saw when the Saudi presidency of the G20 resulted in the adoption of the Global Land Restoration Initiative.

Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VECV, India’s auto industry is transitioning its energy mix towards cleaner alternate fuels in line with the nation’s Net Zero commitments. Our approach at VECV is through application-specific alternate fuel drivelines, smart manufacturing processes, and smart support solutions contributing to the rapid modernization of the Indian logistics ecosystem. We are committed to deliver on a diverse array of possibilities, including Battery Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines, and fuel cell technology, which will be introduced as the market becomes ready. In addition to this, we also believe that sustainability is about efficient asset utilization. All Volvo and Eicher trucks and buses are backed by a 100 percent connected ecosystem to deliver on our promise of productivity and superior uptime for our customers.

Sooraj Balakrishnan, Associate Director and Head of Marketing, Acer India, said, “Acer stands committed to addressing the urgent call to action presented by the climate crisis. We recognise that restoring ecosystems is paramount to mitigating climate change and enhancing human well-being. Our dedication to sustainability is evident in our recent achievement of reducing carbon emissions by 60% worldwide. Joining the RE100 initiative further solidifies our commitment to environmental stewardship alongside industry leaders. To transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, we remain steadfast in our mission to foster a greener future. Our Vero line-up of PCs and other IT products, which are made of recycled materials, is a testament to this cause. On this World Environment Day, we reaffirm our dedication to making meaningful contributions towards a healthier planet for current and future generations.

Anand Kumar Bolimera, National Director, Habitat for Humanity India, said, As we celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, it is imperative to reflect on our collective responsibility towards safeguarding our planet. At Habitat for Humanity India, we recognise that addressing climate change is crucial for building a sustainable future and ensuring that everyone has a decent place to live.

Climate change worsens housing issues, particularly for marginalized communities, due to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and unpredictable climate patterns. To promote inclusive economic development, affordable housing must be built with eco-friendly materials and promote clean energy alternatives, minimizing environmental impact and promoting sustainable living.

Sustainability must be the underlying theme as India is progressing towards becoming a developed economy by 2047 and emerging as a net-zero economy by 2070. At the same time, we also need to focus on inclusion to reach to the unreached, marginalized and people living in poor housing conditions. On this World Environment Day, we all – governments, private sector, civil society, individuals and communities – must come together to build a world where sustainable development is a reality for everyone.