Key Sustainability Dates | UK Calendar

Veganuary Month

This global campaign encourages people to try a vegan lifestyle for the entire month of January. It helps participants reduce their food-related carbon footprint and experience the health and ethical benefits of a plant-based diet by providing extensive resources and support.

28th – 29th – Sustainable Foods Conference

This essential conference brings together food industry leaders and policymakers to tackle one of the planet’s toughest challenges: creating a sustainable food system. The focus is on transitioning to regenerative agriculture, accelerating the growth of plant-based foods, and radically minimising supply chain waste.

2nd – World Wetlands Day

Observed annually on February 2nd, this day raises awareness about the importance of wetlands (like marshes, swamps, and peatlands) for global biodiversity, water purification, and their huge capacity for carbon storage.

15th – World Whale Day

Commemorated on the third Sunday of February, this observance works to raise awareness for whales and related species. It highlights the threats they face from human activities, including ocean noise, chemical pollution, and warming seas, and advocates for stronger marine protection.

SGD Teach in

A month-long campaign committed to raising the awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the global blueprint for peace and prosperity – within education and across public discourse to accelerate sustainable development.

Food Waste Action Week

Food Waste Action Week is a vital annual initiative spearheaded by organisations like WRAP and Love Food Hate Waste. It’s dedicated to tackling the massive problem of food waste head-on by raising public awareness and actively mobilising individuals, companies, and organisations to adopt practical, impactful strategies for reduction.

3rd – World Wildlife Day

Celebrated on March 3rd, this UN day raises awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants and promotes their conservation. It is often focused on the threats of illegal wildlife trade and the need to protect endangered species.

2nd-4th – 11th Annual Sustainability Week (London)

The Major Sustainability Conference is a powerhouse event focused on impact. It features over 200 expert speakers dedicated to sharing advanced strategies for accelerating emission reductions and driving deep environmental performance improvements within global industries.

14th – International Day For Action For Rivers

Held on March 14th, this day promotes the protection and sustainable use of rivers globally. It is often a time for community-led river cleans and environmental activism to ensure waterways remain healthy ecosystems.

18th – Global Recycling Day

Celebrated on March 18th, this event encourages the world to recognise recyclables as a valuable “Seventh Resource”. It promotes the circular economy and encourages individuals and governments to commit to more responsible recycling and waste management.

21st – International Day of Forests

An annual observance on March 21st that raises awareness about the importance of all types of forests for climate regulation, biodiversity, and for providing essential goods and ecosystem services.

22nd – World Water Day

Observed on March 22nd, this UN day advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The focus is on tackling the global water crisis and ensuring everyone has access to safe water.

22nd – Earth Hour

Organized by the WWF, this symbolic event encourages the public, communities, and landmarks across the world to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour at 8:30 PM local time to demonstrate a commitment to fighting the climate crisis.

Earth Month

The entire month of April is dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues. It promotes action through community cleanups, educational programs, and sustainability-focused initiatives, culminating in Earth Day.

22nd – Earth Day

The world’s largest non-religious observance, held on April 22nd. Its purpose is to promote environmental awareness and encourage immediate action, including promoting sustainable practices, reducing waste, and supporting renewable energy.

26th – Stop Food Waste Day

A dedicated day to highlight the staggering economic, social, and environmental impacts of food waste. It encourages governments, businesses, and individuals to implement strategies to reduce waste from farm to fork.

No Mow May

A UK-rooted campaign encouraging garden owners not to mow during May. This allows flowers to fully bloom, providing essential early-season nectar and pollen for vital pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Meat Free May

A global initiative encouraging individuals and communities to reduce or eliminate their meat consumption for the month. This highlights the environmental toll of livestock production and promotes plant-based alternatives.

3rd – 9th – Compost Awareness Week

Compost Awareness Week encourages the nation to embrace composting. It’s a vital annual effort to raise awareness about the benefits of turning kitchen and garden scraps into rich, healthy compost, ultimately helping you reduce waste and grow greener.

16th – Love a Tree Day

A day observed to celebrate the life and joy that trees bring us, from cherishing the oxygen they provide to recognising their crucial role in carbon sequestration and creating habitats.

20th – World Bee Day

Recognising the crucial role that bees and other pollinators play in supporting biodiversity, food security, and the economy. It promotes the conservation and sustainable use of these vital insects.

22nd – International Day of Biodiversity

Held on May 22nd, this UN day raises awareness about the importance of biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth and promotes the conservation and sustainable use of the planet’s biological resources.

23rd – World Turtle Day

Promotes the conservation and protection of turtles and tortoises and their habitats. The day is an opportunity to raise awareness about threats like habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.

30 Days Wild

The Wildlife Trust’s challenge encouraging the UK public to do one simple, fun, or meaningful ‘wild’ thing every day throughout June, fostering a deeper connection with nature.

5th – World Environment Day

The UN’s most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. It usually centers on a specific theme, such as land restoration or air quality.

6th-14th – The Great Big Green Week

One of the UK’s largest events for communities to celebrate nature and environmentalism. It brings people together to take collective action and demand greater focus on climate change and biodiversity loss.

8th – World Oceans Day

A day to highlight the importance of the oceans for sustaining life on Earth and the urgent need for action to protect them from threats like plastic pollution and overfishing.

9th -15th – World Bike Week

Promotes cycling as a sustainable, healthy, and low-carbon means of transportation. The week encourages people to choose cycling for commuting, exercise, and exploring their communities.

15th – Global Wind Day 

This event showcases the importance of wind energy as a renewable and sustainable energy source that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

16th – World Refill Day

A day focused on encouraging individuals and businesses to adopt refillable and reusable alternatives to single-use plastic containers, such as water bottles and coffee cups, tackling plastic pollution at the source.

17th – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is the United Nations’ annual reminder that land degradation is a global threat. Highlighting the increasing danger of droughts, this day serves as an urgent call to action to restore our land and secure a stable future for the billions who will be impacted by 2050.

18th – Clean Air Day

The UK’s largest air pollution campaign, encouraging people to take simple steps to improve air quality, such as leaving the car at home and walking or cycling, and protecting public health.

London Climate Action Week

A major event that brings together policymakers, businesses, and the public to discuss and find solutions to climate change, focusing on how London can lead the way in green policy and innovation.

22nd – World Rainforest Day 

Raises awareness about the critical role that rainforests play in regulating the Earth’s climate, supporting biodiversity, and providing essential ecosystem services.

23rd – 24th – Reset Connect

A free conference focused on sustainability and green investment, providing a platform for business leaders to discuss climate change and sustainability from a commercial and financial perspective.

National Marine Week

The Wildlife Trust’s campaign celebrating everything marine-related in UK waters. It reminds us that over half of our planet’s oxygen comes from the ocean and urges us to protect local sea life and habitats.

Plastic Free July 

A global movement that encourages individuals, businesses, and communities to consciously reduce their plastic waste for the month, empowering participants to find long-term solutions to plastic pollution.

3rd – International Plastic Bag Free Day

Aims to highlight the harmful environmental impact of disposable plastic bags, which are often used for minutes but take hundreds of years to decompose. It promotes the widespread use of reusable bags.

4th-10th – Net-Zero Week 

A focused awareness week in the UK dedicated to achieving net zero. It features conferences, events, and parliamentary discussions aimed at accelerating decarbonisation across all sectors.

27th – National Tree Day

National Tree Day is dedicated to hands-on environmental action. It encourages individuals and communities to plant, protect, and learn about trees. It’s a key day for getting involved in activities that reinforce the environmental and social benefits that trees provide across the nation.

29th – World Tiger Day

Celebrated to promote the conservation of tigers, whose wild population has dramatically decreased. The day focuses on raising funds and awareness for tiger habitat protection and anti-poaching efforts.

12th – World Elephant Day

An international annual event dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world’s largest land animal. It highlights the threats of poaching, habitat loss, and human-elephant conflict.

12th-18th – National Allotments Week

Promotes the benefits of allotment gardening. It raises awareness about the importance of these green spaces in communities for sustainable food growing, wellbeing, and biodiversity.

19th – World Humanitarian Day

On World Humanitarian Day, we pause to deeply honour the individuals who dedicate their lives to serving others. This day, observed globally, celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of those on the front lines, committed to the humanitarian cause.

Recycle Week

Recycle Now’s major annual campaign focused on encouraging the public to recycle responsibly, accurately, and consistently across the UK to boost national recycling rates.

Organic September 

An event aiming to promote and raise awareness about organic agriculture and the benefits of consuming organic products for soil health, animal welfare, and reduced chemical use.

Second Hand September

An Oxfam campaign encouraging the public to shop second-hand for 30 days. This reduces clothing waste, lowers demand for fast fashion, and encourages a more sustainable, circular lifestyle.

7th – 13th – Zero Waste Week 

Participants are encouraged to take collective action to reduce their waste in daily life, focusing on actions like avoiding single-use plastic, composting, and choosing minimal packaging.

7th – International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

This UN day encourages communities to work together to improve air quality and reduce air pollution, recognising that clean air is critical to both the planet’s ecosystem and human health.

21st -4th October – Fair Trade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight is a powerful, annual global event that promotes the importance of the Fairtrade movement. Through engaging activities like coffee mornings and fashion shows, the campaign strives to raise awareness and ensure that farmers and workers worldwide receive fair compensation for their hard work.

16th – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

A UN observance dedicated to stressing the importance of the ozone layer and commemorating the international cooperation achieved through the Montreal Protocol to heal this protective shield.

20th – World Clean-Up Day

A massive global initiative where volunteers come together to clean up litter in their communities. The event aims to raise awareness about mismanaged waste and catalyse lasting societal behavior change.

22nd – Car Free Day

Encourages motorists to use more carbon-friendly alternatives such as cycling, walking, or carpooling to their usual mode of transport for a day, raising awareness of air pollution and traffic congestion.

29th – International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction

This UN day aims to raise awareness of the importance of addressing food loss, especially considering the vast percentage of food produced that goes to waste while global hunger persists.

Unblocktober

A month-long UK campaign dedicated to educating the public on adequate drain and sewer practice. It urges people not to pour fats, oils, and grease down drains to prevent ‘fatbergs,’ blockages, and pollution.

1st – World Vegetarian Day

The aim of this day is to promote a vegetarian lifestyle, stressing its benefits for both personal health and planetary resilience, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production.

4th – World Animal Day

Celebrated annually on October 4th, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi (the patron saint of animals). The day is dedicated to promoting animal rights and welfare globally.

4th – No Disposable Cup Day

Celebrated every year on the 4th of October to encourage the UK to stop using disposable cups, pushing people toward reusable alternatives and tackling the country’s high consumption of single-use items.

14th – International E-Waste Day

Raises awareness about the environmental issues associated with E-Waste (WEEE Waste) and promotes its responsible collection, reuse, and recycling to recover valuable materials and prevent pollution.

16th – World Food Day 

An annual event to raise awareness about hunger and poverty worldwide, and to promote food security and sustainable agriculture as key solutions to global challenges.

UN Climate Conference

One of the world’s leading conferences for international negotiations on climate change. It brings together world leaders to assess progress and set future sustainability targets and commitments.

World Vegan Month

A month-long celebration promoting a vegan lifestyle, highlighting its benefits for health, animal welfare, and the planet, similar to Veganuary but focused on long-term adoption.

28th – Buy Nothing Day

Celebrated around the world to encourage people to abstain from buying anything for the day. It is a moment to reflect on the impact that consumerism has on our planet and challenge overconsumption.

Carbon Literacy Action Day

An event encouraging the public to learn more about Carbon Literacy, an awareness of the climate impact of everyday activities and the ability to reduce emissions. It is one of the world’s largest climate education training events.

4th – World Wildlife Conservation Day

Held by the WWF to stress the importance of wildlife conservation, especially as approximately one million animal and plant species are currently under threat of extinction.

5th – World Soil Day

This UN event aims to raise awareness about the importance of soil to our existence, emphasising that 95% of our food originates from soil and water, and promoting sustainable soil management.

5th – International Volunteer Day

Observed by the United Nations to acknowledge the impact that collective action and volunteering have on the world, recognising the 800 million people globally who volunteer monthly.

11th – International Mountain Day

A day observed by the United Nations to stress the importance of and campaign to restore mountain ecosystems, which house about half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.