5th June 2024- Celebrated annually on June 5, World Environment Day promotes sustainable practices and advocates for the protection of our planet. This year, the theme is “Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience” with the slogan “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.” Saudi Arabia is hosting the global celebrations for 2024.
With increasing microplastics, polluted air, and harmful radiation, environmental conservation has become crucial. As the global population grows and natural resources deplete, our planet faces severe stress due to climate change, rising pollution levels, and environmental toxins.
On this day, it is imperative to pledge to tackle these challenges, conserve resources, and move towards a greener planet. Sustainable actions such as planting trees, reducing pollution and adopting plant-based diets are steps individuals can take to contribute to environmental preservation.
Comments by Industry Experts:
Mr Sooraj Balakrishnan The Associate Director and Head of Marketing, at Acer India
“Acer stands committed to addressing the urgent call to action presented by the climate crisis. We recognize that restoring ecosystems is paramount in 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% 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 toward a healthier planet for current and future generations.”
Amit Bajoria The Chief Finance Officer at Virtusa.
“On World Environment Day 2024, Virtusa reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, echoing this year’s theme of ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.’ At Virtusa, we blend logic, creativity, and curiosity to sculpt a sustainable, just, and inclusive tomorrow. Our journey towards purpose-driven sustainability endeavours to foster a positive environmental and socio-economic impact, prioritizing the minimization of our ecological footprint and showcasing ethical maturity.
We are dedicated to engineering with purpose, catalyzing a sustainable future, nurturing equitable communities, and cultivating inclusive opportunities. By committing to set near-term and net-zero emission reduction targets, we strive to future-proof our stakeholders and take responsibility for our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) footprint.”
Suresh Kumar The Managing Director at Allcargo Terminals Limited
”Allcargo resonates with the theme of this year’s World Environment Day of land restoration, stopping desertification and building drought resilience. As part of our Maitree initiative we had a goal of planting a million trees. Happy to share that we reached this milestone recently and have set a new goal of five million trees. We actively partner with communities in restoring lands, supporting livelihoods and contributing towards a greener future. Allcargo Group has set its sight on achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 and these efforts align with the company’s vision too.
Reducing carbon footprint is a priority for the logistics industry. We contribute to this goal by offering creative logistic solutions and promoting circular economy practices. We are committed to sustainable operations and actively collaborate with our customers and partners through various initiatives including deployment of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and using alternative fuel sources.”
Anand Kumar Bolimera The National Director of Habitat for Humanity India
“As we celebrate World Environment Day on 5th June, it is imperative to reflect on our collective responsibility towards safeguarding our planet. At Habitat for Humanity India, we recognize that addressing climate change is crucial for building a sustainable future and ensuring that everyone has a decent place to live.
Climate change exacerbates housing challenges, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and unpredictable climate patterns threaten homes and livelihoods, pushing many into a cycle of poverty and displacement.
Housing can play an important role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. By prioritizing climate-resilient housing, we not only protect the environment but also empower communities to thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change. While we need to continue our efforts to mitigate climate change, we also need to promote adaptation practices among the communities.
As affordable housing remains one of the cornerstones for inclusive economic development, efforts must be directed towards minimizing the environmental impact of a home by building homes with environment friendly materials and promoting clean energy alternatives.
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. Let us commit to action, innovation, and collaboration to create a greener, more resilient future for all. Because adequate, safe and resilient shelter can contribute to both the immediate security and long-term well-being of families.”
Ms.Smitha Shetty, Regional Director at APAC, Achilles Information Ltd.
“As we mark World Environment Day, let’s not just observe but act. This year’s focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience is a clarion call to heal the very ground beneath our feet. It is the foundation of our livelihoods, food systems, and ecosystems. It reminds us that we must urgently invest in building sustainable risk mitigation strategies. The fate of our planet, and indeed our own future, depends on it. Our planet’s health is our shared responsibility, and every action, no matter how small, contributes to a more sustainable future.”
Mr. Prashant Jha, Chief Ready-Mix Concrete(RMX) at Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd.
“At Nuvoco, we are committed to preserving our planet and have made sustainability our core principle, deeply embedded in every aspect of our operations. This commitment drives us to pursue sustainability relentlessly in all our endeavours. Our dedication is embodied in our Protect Our Planet agenda, which focuses on five key dimensions: decarbonization, water management, circular economy, biodiversity, and waste reduction.
Our initiatives reflect our dedication to sustainability through various impactful actions. Our ECODURE product range achieves up to a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions, while our 16 GreenPro Certified RMX plants highlight our commitment to sustainable construction practices. Additionally, our innovative Aqua Zero Debris Recycler can reduce freshwater consumption by 40% and eliminate debris from our manufacturing plants. We further enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact through green logistics and optimized power generation with Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS).
Nuvoco recognises the critical role in balancing progress with environmental preservation. Our commitment to using recycled plastics in packaging highlights our dedication to minimizing waste and embracing the principles of a circular economy.”
Vinukumar Balakrishnan, Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer, THINK Gas
“Protecting the environment is often left to a handful of agencies of the Government and a few industries such as oil & gas, transportation, renewable energy etc. The reality on the other hand is that we face daunting challenges which can be surpassed only by sustained efforts from industries without exception and society at large. It is critical to understand that consumption drives everything that matters and consumption is driven by the common man. The time has come when the common man has to wake up to the new realities and think hard about how her/his consumption is fed and whether her/his consumption is environment friendly. The undeniable reality is that if demand is generated then the market will respond regardless of the environmental impact and there is only so much laws and regulations can do. It is our duty to protect and restore our planet, particularly focusing on reducing our energy needs, water utilisation, our personal carbon footprint, land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. Expanding city gas distribution networks, is a small but definitive measure towards conserving the planet. Natural Gas is a transition fuel which will see us through the next two decades as we develop the technologies and the ecosystem required to make renewal energy and new age fuels such as Hydrogen sustainable and affordable. Through initiatives aimed at promoting the use of natural gas, we support the broader goal of environmental restoration and resilience.”
Dr. Anirban Ghosh, Professor & Head Centre for Sustainability at Mahindra University
“The perils of climate ignorant land use are becoming more and more visible. The folly of filling up water bodies and building on them in urban areas is coming back to bite us in terms of water scarcity and flooding. Widespread deforestation for development and rampant unsustainable exploitation of ground water is leading to ills like droughts, desertification and salinity. We, at Mahindra University, are integrating environmental science and climate resilience in our curriculum to enhance the awareness of ecosystem services and the criticality of sustainable land use management. Pathbreaking partnerships with industry leaders like Rockwell Automation and with the Greening Education Partnership of UNESCO ensure focus on practical solutions, international exposure and hands-on experience in nurturing responsible citizens for the future.”
Agendra Kumar, Managing Director of Esri India
“Desertification, land degradation, and drought pose environmental crisis that impacts communities worldwide. Given that human existence relies on fertile and productive land for numerous essential activities, preventing degradation and revitalizing deteriorated land through restoration efforts is crucial for bolstering biodiversity, reinstating the ecosystem, and alleviating the impacts of climate change. Remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play pivotal roles in both assessing land degradation and facilitating its restoration. By providing timely and accurate information about the state of the land, GIS empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions and take proactive steps to mitigate degradation and restore ecosystems. Harnessing the capabilities of ArcGIS, at Esri India, we incessantly focus on developing innovative solution products that can significantly aid in mitigating climate change and building resilient communities.”
