Kick the Habit - World
Environment Day 2008 to be Hosted by New
Zealand with Focus on Fostering Low-Carbon
Economies
Nairobi/Wellington, 1 October 2007 - New
Zealand, one of the first countries to pledge
a carbon-neutral future, will be the main
host of World Environment Day 2008, the
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) announced
today.
The challenge of climate change and threats
to polar regions and beyond were spotlighted
in Norway as part of World Environment Day
(WED) 2007.
The focus of the global 2008 celebrations
hosted in New Zealand will be on the solutions
and the opportunities for countries, companies
and communities to "Kick the habit"
and de-carbonize their economies and life-styles.
Measures include greater energy efficiency
in buildings and appliances, including light
bulbs, up to a switch towards cleaner and
renewable forms of electricity generation
and transport systems.
The focus will also be put on the role
of forests in countering rises in greenhouse
gases. An estimated 20 per cent of emissions
contributing to climate change globally
are a result of deforestation.
New Zealand, where forestry is an important
industry and conservation of forests is
a high priority, plans to use WED to highlight
the role technologies and forestry management
can play in achieving domestic and international
climate goals.
"As part of New Zealand's drive for
greater environmental sustainability, we've
made a commitment to reduce our emissions.
But to overcome the challenge of climate
change, kicking the carbon habit must be
a truly global goal. During next year's
World Environment Day events I look forward
to learning about how other nations are
addressing this challenge," said Prime
Minister Helen Clark.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General
and UNEP Executive Director, said: "New
Zealand is among a pioneer group of countries
committed to accelerating a transition to
a low carbon and carbon-neutral economy.
We are therefore delighted to be holding
the main WED 2008 celebrations in Wellington
and in communities across this South Pacific
nation".
He said developed and developing countries
stood to benefit environmentally, economically
and socially from more efficient low-carbon
technologies and strategies.
"What we need is action to slow, stop
and then to reverse the growth of global
greenhouse gas emissions. A transition to
a low carbon economy is essential to achieving
this," said Mr. Steiner.
"Along the way we will see more rapid
and widespread access to cleaner and greener
energy, new job opportunities and reductions
in unhealthy urban and in-door pollution.
WED is about positive perspectives on change,
and this is what we hope to highlight in
New Zealand," he added.
Notes to Editors
World Environment Day was established by
the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark
the opening of the Stockholm Conference
on the Human Environment. Another resolution,
adopted by the General Assembly the same
day, led to the creation of UNEP.
WED is commemorated each year on 5 June
in a different city. It is one of the principal
vehicles through which the United Nations
stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment
and enhances political attention and action.
The day's agenda is to give a human face
to environmental issues; empower people
to become active agents of sustainable and
equitable development; promote an understanding
that communities are pivotal to changing
attitudes towards environmental issues;
and advocate partnership which will ensure
all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and
more prosperous future. World Environment
Day is also a popular event with colourful
activities such as street rallies, bicycle
parades, green concerts, essay and poster
competitions in schools, tree planting,
as well as recycling and cleaning-up campaigns.
On that particular day, heads of State,
Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment
deliver statements and commit themselves
to care for the Earth. Pledges are made
which lead to the establishment of permanent
governmental structures dealing with environmental
management. It also provides an opportunity
to sign or ratify international environmental
conventions.
Last year, the main WED event was held
in Norway, with the theme Melting Ice ?
a Hot Topic?, and focused on the effects
that climate change is having on polar ecosystems
and communities, and the ensuing consequences
around the world.
For more information, please see the website
http://www.unep.org/wed/2008 or contact
Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson, Office
of the Executive Director
