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Within South Asia’s urban sprawl, a quiet transformation is taking place. From the slums of Dhaka and the riverbanks of Lahore to the schoolyards of Kathmandu, waste workers and young changemakers are reshaping their futures – with support from the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) project. PLEASE is the region’s largest initiative to combat marine plastic pollution and promote sustainable plastic use. Financed by the and implemented by the with support, the project promotes practical solutions – public-private partnerships, innovation grants and inclusive education initiatives – to build a more circular and just economy.

Small Island Developing States are taking bold action to safeguard ocean biodiversity, despite contributing less than 1% of global emissions.

Every year, and a million seabirds, but the is developing innovative, low-cost technologies to tackle plastic pollution at its source, aiming to prevent further environmental damage.

Research has found plastic waste makes up , and microplastics were found in every marine turtle, over half of all whales, and a third of seals.

In Egypt’s Nile Delta and beyond, young activists are leading efforts to combat toxic waste and climate threats, demanding environmental justice and sustainable solutions to protect communities and human rights.

In the vibrant community of Medina Gounass, Senegal, Modou Fall, also known as the , is dedicated to advocating for a cleaner planet. He raises awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and educates children on the urgent need for sustainable action to protect the environment.

Humanity's unsustainable production and consumption practices are pushing the planet toward destruction. Households, small businesses, and public service providers generate more than 2.1 billion tons of solid waste annually, yet 2.7 billion people lack access to waste collection services, and only 61% of waste is properly managed. Urgent action is needed to tackle this crisis. This year's International Day of Zero Waste (30 March) focuses on the fashion and textile sector, highlighting the need for circular solutions. A zero-waste approach is key to this transition. Watch our celebration on

Seagrasses are marine flowering plants found in shallow waters around the world, from the tropics to the Arctic Circle. They provide a range of environmental, economic and social benefits to humans, making them one of the most valuable coastal and marine ecosystems on Earth, but they are under threat. The combined pressures of coastal development, pollution, climate change, dredging and unregulated fishing are damaging seagrass ecosystems. World Seagrass Day (1 March) raises awareness of the importance of managing, conserving and restoring seagrass for a sustainable blue economy.

To curb nitrous oxide emissions, we need to reduce synthetic fertilizer use, adopt more sustainable farming practices, and invest in better nitrogen management technologies.

Plastic is more widespread than we realize. While we recognize common items like bags and bottles, many everyday objects contain plastic in surprising ways. Ten unexpected sources of plastic include dust, air, clothing, fish, salt, drink cans, human blood, tea bags, paper cups, and snow. As countries work toward a global treaty to #BeatPlasticPollution, the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee () will be held in South Korea (25 November – 1 December), with the goal of creating a legally binding agreement to combat plastic pollution. The United Nations Development Programme () is tackling the plastic pollution crisis through more than 200 projects and 1,000 community initiatives in 132 countries, helping governments develop policies and regulation.

Ugly, annoying, and destructive, are invisible yet pervasive, contributing to 45% of global warming and causing significant harm to our health and the environment.

Worldwide, nearly  cook on inefficient stoves or over open fires, breathing in harmful smoke.

The "" initiative transforms fish waste into valuable livestock feed and soil amendments, supporting local farmers and processors while advancing sustainable development and fisheries policy.

Ahead of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, UNEP warns of severe air pollution in East and Southeast Asia, urging immediate action to address the crisis and save lives.

Every year, the world produces around 430 million tonnes of plastic, most of which soon becomes waste.  to plastic pollution is a concept known as . 

The interconnectedness of healthcare waste management, climate change, and environmental degradation highlights the need for sustainable practices and technologies to protect both human health and the environment.