Environmental Days & Dates For Your Calendar 2024

Get your finger on the pulse! Here is the ultimate guide to the sustainability and environmental awareness days and dates to know in 2024.

There are awareness days for everything from doughnuts to ice cream, to my personal favourite – International Talk Like A Pirate Day (19th September if you’re wondering!). So it will come as no surprise that there are tons of environmental awareness days out there.

Whether you are planning some sustainability events in your workplace or your community, or are planning your social media calendar then here are the dates to know in 2024.

I have included some wildlife dates in this calendar. However, there are so many dedicated wildlife days out there that they would overwhelm this calendar. Instead, I’ve put together a separate guide to animal awareness days. You can use this as a handy companion to this guide.

The Environmental Days and Dates To Know In 2024

There are a ton of sustainability events this year, so this post is a BIG one. To make things easy, you can use the following quick links to see all the environmental awareness days for a specific month.

Or, if you are looking for all the days coming up this year, then keep scrolling down for a month-by-month breakdown. Just have a pen and paper handy, and perhaps a big mug of tea!

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January

Here are all the environmental awareness days you need to know for January:

Veganuary – 1st to 31st January 2024

Veganuary is a global event to encourage people to try eating vegan for the month of January and beyond. Each year, over 620,000 people pledge to try to eat only plant-based foods.

Veganuary says it “aims to inspire and support people to try vegan, drive corporate change, and create a global mass movement championing compassionate food choices with the aim of ending animal farming, protecting the planet, and improving human health”.

RSPB Big Schools Bird Watch- 8th January to 19th February 2024

The RSPB Big Schools’ Bird Watch is a bird survey for pupils to take part in whilst at school. Teachers, don’t worry – no knowledge of bird species is needed! This simple bird watch involves counting the number of birds on your school grounds over the course of one hour.

Sign up, and you’ll also get a free information pack from the RSPB, including helpful ID resources and survey sheets.

Energy Savers Week – 15th to 21st January 2024

Energy Savers Week is a week dedicated to saving you money on your energy bills. Running in partnership between Citizens Advice and The Energy Saving Trust, top tips to save both energy and money on your heating are shared throughout the week. Plus, you can find energy advice resources, including booklets, leaflets and posters to share.

RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch – 26th to 28th January 2024

RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest wildlife survey.

It’s easy to join the 700,000 people taking part each year. All you have to do is sit back, relax and watch the birds in your garden or local park for an hour. Then let the RSPB know what you’ve seen. Even if you see very few birds or none at all, that’s also useful information for the RSPB.

The birdwatch helps provide a snapshot of how garden birds are doing in the UK. It is held at a similar time every year so the RSPB can compare the results with previous years.

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February

Here are the environmental awareness days and dates for February:

Show The Love – 1st – 28th February 2024

Show the Love is an annual celebration of everything we love and want to protect from climate change. Held every February since 2015, organisations, institutions, household names and millions of people join together and ask politicians to put aside their differences and tackle the climate crisis.

This climate action campaign is run by The Climate Coalition. This is the UK’s largest alliance dedicated to action against climate change.

World Wetlands Day – 2nd February 2024

World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on the 2nd of February to raise awareness about wetlands. After all, wetlands are critically important – contributing to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, and more. Yet these important landscapes are now critically endangered.

Nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s. What’s more, we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests. By raising awareness, we can help encourage actions to conserve and restore them.

International Polar Bear Day – 27th February 2024

International Polar Bear Day, run by Polar Bear International, is an annual event celebrated every 27th of February to raise awareness about the plight of the polar bear. This environmental awareness day coincides with when polar bear mothers and cubs are snug in their dens.

Keeping mothers and cubs safe, while also addressing climate warming, is a critical part of Polar Bear International’s work. Take part in live events, learn about polar bears, and donate to help the plight of the polar bear.

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March

Get busy in March – there is a slew of environmental days to take part in!

World Wildlife Day – 3rd March 2024

World Wildlife Day is a global event, held every year on 3rd March, that celebrates and raises awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

We all rely on wildlife and biodiversity-based resources to meet our needs, from food to fuel, medicines, housing, and clothing. Millions of people also rely on nature as the source of their livelihoods and economic opportunities. As such, this day seeks to raise awareness of the vital role our wildlife has in sustaining the planet.

Check out my top nature facts for some compelling reasons to help celebrate nature on World Wildlife Day and beyond.

The Big Plastic Count – 11th – 17th March 2024

The Big Plastic Count is the UK’s biggest plastic investigation. Here, thousands of schools, households, community groups and businesses across the UK come together to count their plastic waste. Revealing how much plastic packaging is thrown away each week (2 billion pieces in 2022) helps build evidence about the scale of plastic pollution. This evidence is then used to convince UK ministers to lead the way at the global talks to phase out plastic pollution. Time to get counting!

Sustrans Big Walk & Wheel – 11th to 22nd March 2024

Formerly known as The Big Pedal, The Big Walk & Wheel is the UK’s largest inter-school walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling challenge. It aims to inspire hundreds of thousands of pupils to get active during the school run.

Running for over 12 years, and originally a cycling contest, the event has grown to be more inclusive. It now includes walking, using a wheelchair, scooting and cycling to reflect its multi-modal approach.

The Great British Spring Clean – 15th – 31st March 2024

The Great British Spring Clean is Keep Britain Tidy’s annual national clean-up campaign.

Here, members of the British public join forces with a range of partners – from big businesses and trusts to community groups and councils – to pick up litter and clean up our landscapes. This helps to change behaviour permanently by spotlighting the problems caused by littering.

Global Recycling Day – 18th March 2024

Global Recycling Day is an environmental awareness day created in 2018 by the Global Recycling Foundation.

This day helps to recognise and celebrate the importance that recycling plays in saving CO₂ emissions. Each year, recycling alone saves over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions. This is projected to increase to 1 billion tons by 2030.

Global Recycling Day seeks to tell world leaders that recycling is simply too important not to be a global issue. Instead, it advocated that a common, joined-up approach to recycling is urgently needed.

Trees Are The Key Awareness Week – 18th to 24th March 2024

The yearly Trees Are The Key Awareness Week seeks to raise awareness of the many health benefits of trees. Particularly how planting more trees – especially in the tropics where they grow quickly – can help to tackle climate change.

This event encompasses the International Day of the Forests – on 21st March.

Run by The Word Forest Organisation, this UK-based charity plants trees, builds classrooms, facilitates education, and supports women’s empowerment groups. It also raises environmental awareness and plants trees in the UK.

International Day of Forests – 21st March 2024

International Day of Forests is a worldwide event that celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

Download banners and posters to show your support. You can also organise or join an event celebrating forests, such as symposiums, art exhibitions, photo competitions or by hosting a debate.

Alternatively, join the conversation on social media using the #IntlForestDay hashtag. Pass on some of this year’s key messages or take a photo of your favourite forest and share it using the hashtags. You can even test your knowledge of forests in the fun online quiz.

World Water Day – 22nd March 2024

Held on 22nd March every year since 1993, World Water Day celebrates the life-sustaining role of fresh water and also raises awareness of the 2 billion people across the globe living without access to safe water.

This environmental awareness day is marked globally with a variety of events. These can be theatrical, musical or lobbying in nature. The day often also includes campaigns to raise money for water projects.

Earth Hour – 23rd March 2024

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organised by the World Wildlife Fund.

This annual event encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour, from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the last Saturday of March, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.

WWF says “Earth Hour reminds us that even small actions can make a big difference. When we make changes in our own lives to reduce our footprint, we inspire those around us to do the same. And together, we are a powerful global movement that governments and businesses can’t ignore”.

Before taking part you can download the My Footprint app from WWF and take on a challenge. You can also listen to Call of the Wild, WWF-UK’s podcast hosted by Cel Spellman. You can also encourage friends and family to take part in Earth Hour by spreading the word to your networks using the hashtag #EarthHourUK. 

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April

Here are all the dates for your diary for April:

Fashion Revolution Week – 15th – 24th April 2024

Each year in April, Fashion Revolution Week encourages us to ask our favourite brands, ‘Who made my clothes?’ to demand a fairer, more transparent industry. This helps to ensure that fashion brands continue to listen and helps to create the permanent change needed to ensure we never see a tragedy like the Rana Plaza collapse again. 

Find useful resources and templates on the Fashion Revolution website to help amplify the message.

Earth Day – 22nd April 2024

Earth Day is an annual event which seeks to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

First held on April 22, 1970, the day now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.

With over 1 billion people taking part, from more than 193 countries, it’s one of the biggest environmental days going.

International Mother Earth Day – 22nd April 2024

International Mother Earth Day, falling on the same day as Earth Day, brings people across the globe together to promote the need to live in harmony with nature and the earth, and the need to restore what we have degraded.

22nd April was first established by the United Nations (UN) as International Mother Earth Day in 2009 to join groups that had previously celebrated Earth Day on the same date. The UN explains that the term ‘Mother Earth’ is used because it “reflects the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit”.

Stop Food Waste Day – 24th April 2024

Stop Food Waste Day is an environmental awareness day that seeks to educate and ignite change around the issue of food waste.

Food waste is an expensive issue. It’s estimated that 32% cent of all food purchased per year in the UK is not eaten. 

Food waste also has a significant environmental impact. It’s estimated that half of the water used to produce this food also goes to waste since agriculture is the largest human use of water. Food waste also releases methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change, if not disposed of properly.

Stop Food Waste Day aims to tackle this issue by helping to halve food waste by 2030. Find useful tips to prevent food waste, and take a pledge on social media to reduce your food waste, using the hashtag #stopfoodwasteday.

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May

Here are all the environmental days going on in May:

Meat-Free May – 1st to 31st May 2024

Meat-Free May is a month-long challenge to eliminate meat from your diet for all 31 days in May. Meat Free May says taking will improve your health, help the planet, and help to end animal suffering, all whilst doing your bit for world hunger.

Find meal plans, and recipe ideas to help you get started. You can also encourage your friends, start a workplace team, plan some fun foodie events, and join the No Meat May online community for support and inspiration.

No Mow May – 1st to 31st May 2024

No Mow May is an annual event run by the environmental charity Plantlife that encourages people across the UK – and beyond – to lock up their lawnmowers on 1st May.

Leaving your lawnmower in the shed and letting your lawn grow long, just for the month of May means smaller plants like clover, daisies, dandelions, selfheal and clover will get a chance to flower and give pollinating insects a head-start.

This is important as, since the 1930s, we have lost nearly 7.5 million acres of flower-rich meadows and pastures. Just 1% of our countryside now provides this floral feast for pollinators. With 15 million gardens in Britain, our lawns have the potential to become major sources of nectar.

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) – 5th to 11th May 2024

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), celebrated each year during the first full week of May, is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative in the compost industry.

Here, community, school, government and business events are held to encourage and celebrate all types of composting – from small-scale garden setups to large-scale setups.

The goal of ICAW is to work together to raise public awareness on why we all should be composting our organics recycling and using compost. The awareness week includes poster and video contests, and activities and events.

Endangered Species Day – 17th May 2024

Endangered Species Day is a global event that involves celebrating, learning about, and taking action to protect threatened and endangered species. Held every year on the third Friday in May, it’s run since 2006. With events online and across the globe, it’s a fun way to get involved in helping to protect our most vulnerable species.

Walk To School Week – 20th to 24th May 2024

Walk to School Week is a long-established annual campaign from sustainable transport charity Living Streets, which encourages school pupils to travel sustainably to school every day of the week.

During the week, pupils can track their progress each day on the fun and interactive classroom wallchart, unlocking new levels and knowledge as they go. Individual activity diaries, daily stickers and end-of-week pupil rewards help to complement this activity, reinforcing the benefits and keeping children engaged.

World Bee Day – 20th May 2024

World Bee Day (which can lead to people asking if you meant to say ‘World Bidet’!) is, contrary to how it sounds, not a day celebrating a bathroom receptacle.

Instead, it is an international day to raise awareness around the vital role of bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy. The day also seeks to raise awareness around the many challenges bees face today. 

With bees, pollinators, and many other insects in decline, this day provides an opportunity to promote actions that protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping. This is whether we work for governments, organisations or civil society or are simply concerned citizens.

Water Saving Week – 23rd to 27th May 2024

Hosted by Waterwise, the leading independent voice in the UK for using water wisely, Water Saving Week is a week dedicated to conserving this precious natural resource. With advice throughout the week on how to reduce your water usage and why it’s important to do so, you’ll be a super saver in no time!

Every Flower Counts – 31st May 2024

Every Flower Counts is a Plantlife citizen science activity that provides a snap-shot health check of our lawns, that takes place at the end of No Mow May.

Plantlife wants to know which flowers are most abundant on lawns. From there, they can work out how much nectar they are producing and how nectar scores have changed from previous years.

It’s very easy to take part. Every Flower Counts takes just a few minutes to do. No botanical knowledge is needed – everyone signing up will receive some simple wildflower identification help for 26 common lawn flowers.

Once you’ve submitted your results online, you’ll instantly receive your own Personal Nectar Score. This shows you how many bees your lawn can support.

National Children’s Gardening Week – May 25th to 2nd June 2024

National Children’s Gardening Week is an annual festival of fun, developed to foster an early love of gardening.

Throughout the week, children, parents, grandparents, schools or garden businesses can find ideas for fun garden projects and activities. You can also find details on any local events near you.

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June

Here are all the environmental awareness days in June to know:

30 Days Wild – 1st to 30th June 2024

30 Days Wild, run by The Wildlife Trust, is the UK’s biggest nature challenge. Here, people are invited to sign up and try one ‘random act of wildness’ every day, for 30 days in June.

This could be something involved, such as planting wildflower seeds or going on a bug hunt. Or it could be something more sedate, such as listening to birdsong, admiring a tree, or sketching, drawing or painting nature.

Sign up and you’ll receive a digital pack full of fantastic ideas to wild your June. There are also options for schools, care homes and businesses to take part.

World Bike Day – 3rd June 2024

World Bike Day draws attention to the benefits of using the bicycle – a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally sustainable means of transportation.

The day encourages us to see the bicycle as a means of:

• Fostering sustainable development
• Strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people,
• Promoting health and preventing disease,
• Promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect
• And facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace.

Look out for led rides, bicycle maintenance events and more in your local area.

World Environment Day – 5th June 2024

World Environment Day is an international day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.

Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually since 1973, the event has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. Here millions of people from across the world engage in online and in-person events to protect the planet.

World Ocean’s Day – 8th June 2024

World Oceans Day seeks to raise awareness of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. As well as being the lungs of our planet, our oceans are also an important source of food and medicine and a critical part of the biosphere.

The purpose of the environmental awareness day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean. It also seeks to develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean and mobilise and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.

The Great Big Green Week – 8th to 16th June 2024

The Great Big Green Week is the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. Here you can host an event in your community, or find an event to attend in your local area.

Founded by The Climate Coalition, and supported by the WWF, RSPB, The National Trust, Muslim Charities Forum, the Fairtrade Foundation, Islamic Relief, Manchester United Foundation, and The Women’s Institute, it represents some of the biggest environmental and social charities around.

Bike Week – 10th to 16th June 2024

Bike Week is all about encouraging as many people as possible to get out there and enjoy their community by bike.

There are many different ways to participate in Bike Week. From setting up or attending a local cycling event, such as a local ride, film screening or talk. You can campaign or lobby to set up a local campaigning group. Or you can encourage friends or colleagues to simply try out cycling. If you prefer a less hands-on approach, you can also donate to help raise money to help transform cycling in your local area.

International Working Animals Day – 15th June 2024

International Working Animals Day seeks to raise awareness about the vital role of working animals in people’s everyday lives. Both for families in the world’s poorest communities, and those in the UK and other wealthier nations.

Many everyday products we enjoy – from tea and coffee to chocolate, sugar and flowers – start the journey to our homes via the back of a working animal. From Costa Rica to Ethiopia, many animals are involved in transporting agricultural produce in small farms, fields and plantations.

These animals often lead short, hard lives, working in extreme conditions, with little rest, poor nutrition and no access to essential veterinary treatment. SPANA, the charity behind the awareness day, believes that these animals deserve help, as well as greater respect and recognition.

Clean Air Day – 15th June 2024

Clean Air Day, run by Global Action Plan, is the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution. This annual event aims to help drive a positive shift in public knowledge and action around air pollution. As such, it is a chance to find out more about air pollution, share information, and make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone. 

World Refill Day – 16th June 2024

World Refill Day is a global campaign to prevent plastic pollution and help people live with less waste.

Join thousands of everyday activists around the world to call on businesses, brands and governments to join the refill and reuse revolution. Together we can all help make single-use plastic a thing of the past.

There are heaps of ways to get involved. Choose to reuse. Call out the biggest brands and polluters on social media and let them know we need them to act now. Support your local refill shops. Or share photos on social media using the hashtag #WorldRefillDay.

Plastic-Free Beauty Day – 17th June 2024

Plastic-Free Beauty Day is a day dedicated to challenging the use of plastic packaging in the beauty products we buy. As such, the day seeks to educate beauty brands, retailers and consumers on the serious impact plastic pollution is having on our environment

Take part in a plastic-free beauty pledge, to show cosmetics brands that we want change in the industry. Or take part in webinars to learn more about all things plastic-free beauty and more. To get a head start, check out these plastic-free makeup brands leading by example.

World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought – 17th June 2024

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The day looks to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and cooperation at all levels.

The day calls on everyone to treat the land as a limited and precious natural capital, prioritise its health, and push hard to restore the land during the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The UN says everyone has a role to play because everyone has a stake in the future.

Sustainable Gastronomy Day – 18th June 2024

Sustainable Gastronomy Day is a day organised by the UN that celebrates seasonal ingredients and producers. It also seeks to raise awareness of the need to preserve wildlife as well as our culinary traditions.

The day encourages us all to choose and cook food in a way that considers all it takes for food to get from fields to our plates. This includes how the food is grown and transported, through to what ingredients we choose and where we buy them from.

World Rainforest Day – 22nd June 2024

World Rainforest Day recognises standing, healthy forests as one of the most powerful and cost-effective climate change mitigation tools we have and creates a global movement to protect and restore them.

Each year a summit brings together rainforest guardians to explore solutions for forest ecosystems under threat, to help conserve our rainforests.

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July

Here are all the environmental awareness days in July to add to your calendar:

Plastic Free July – 1st to 31st July 2024

Plastic Free July is an annual month-long event that encourages people to choose to refuse single-use plastic products and packaging.

The campaign provides resources and ideas to help you (and millions of others around the world) reduce single-use plastic waste every day at home, work, school, and even at your local café. So far the global movement has impressively inspired 100+ million participants in 190 countries. 

Check out my plastic-free July ideas to help get you started.

Bees’ Needs Week – 8th to 14th July 2024

Bees’ Needs Week is an annual bee awareness event coordinated by Defra (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).

The aim of the week is to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and share ideas, actions and activities that highlight how everyone can help bees and other pollinators to thrive. Conservation groups, businesses and charities get involved, and you can join in too.

Don’t Step On A Bee Day – 10th July 2024

As part of Bees’ Needs Week, Don’t Step On A Bee Day (celebrated each year on the 10th of July) highlights the plight of bees (and other pollinators).

Big Butterfly Count – 12th July to 4th August 2024

The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide citizen science survey that helps Butterfly Conservation – a butterfly charity – assess the health of the environment. To take part simply take 15 minutes and count the amount and type of butterflies (and day-flying moths) you see in that time.

You don’t need to be a butterfly expert to be a part of the count. You can use the Butterfly Conservation’s free app or grab a copy of their ID chart to help you identify the species you spot.

Love Parks Week – 24th July to 2nd August 2024

Love Parks Week, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, is a week-long event designed to give people across the country the chance to shout about their wonderful green spaces. 

Whether it’s walking the dog, picnicking with friends, or pushing our little ones on a playground swing, our parks give our communities, our children, and our pets a vital space to play, grow, and bond. 

Love Parks Week was set up to celebrate and support the efforts of volunteers and workers up and down the country to maintain and protect our green spaces. Find events in your local area to show your support for green spaces.

Bog Day – 28th July 2024

Bog Day is an annual event, held on the 4th Sunday of July, that celebrates bogs, fens, swamps and marshes. Run by the IUCN (International Union For The Conservation Of Nature) – the day is an opportunity to raise awareness of peatlands – including the benefits they provide, the threats they face and the ways we can help protect them.

National Marine Week – 27th July to 11th August 2024

National Marine Week is, despite its name, a 15-day-long nationwide celebration of all things marine, led by The Wildlife Trusts. Take part in a litter pick or beach clean, learn how to conserve water, and learn how to use less plastic, there are events online and nationwide to take part in.

International Tiger Day – 29th July 2024

International Tiger Day, led by the WWF, is a chance to learn more about this critically endangered species and what you can do to help them.

Find out more about one of our planet’s most iconic big cats, the threats they face and what you can do to help safeguard their future. Show your support for tigers, or even adopt a tiger to help protect this big cat and its habitat.

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August

Take part in these environmental days in August:

National Allotments Week – 12th to 18th August 2024

National Allotments Week started in 2002 as a way of raising awareness of allotments. Particularly the role they play in helping people to live healthier lifestyles, grow their own food, develop friendships and bolster communities.

The campaign week is still thriving 20 years later. Each year it focuses on a different theme. 2021 saw the week focus on “Plotting for the Future” – celebrating the contribution that allotments make to a sustainable future. Meanwhile, in 2022 the theme was “Bugs, Bees and Broccoli” – which acknowledges the importance of gardening with nature in mind.

World Plant Milk Day – 22nd August 2024

World Plant Milk Day is an international day that celebrates plant-based alternatives to dairy milk. Take the 7-day dairy-free challenge., and encourage your friends and family to join in too.

Aiming to accelerate the transition from dairy milk to the rich variety of plant-based alternatives, it’s a great way to reduce your impact on the planet.

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September

Get busy in September with all of these environmental awareness days:

Organic September – 1st to 30th September 2024

Organic September is a month-long campaign, led by the Soil Association, to raise awareness of the many benefits of organic food and farming. This includes:

• Supporting biodiversity and wildlife.
• Helping to combat climate change.
• Contributing to higher standards of animal welfare.
• Reducing exposure to pesticides.

Here organic businesses come together to raise awareness of the benefits of organic and the efforts organic brands, farms and businesses make to support nature and wildlife and protect the planet.

Secondhand September – 1st to 30th September 2024

Secondhand September is a campaign led by Oxfam to encourage people to buy only second-hand items for 30 days in the month of September. 

Oxfam says that “when a new pair of jeans is made, an estimated 16.2kg of CO2 is emitted – the equivalent of driving over 58 miles in a car. So, by recirculating our clothes – buying, wearing and donating second-hand – we can help to reduce the demand for new clothes. And this could in turn help to reduce the damage to our planet”.

Share your secondhand finds on social media and join an incredible community of pre-loved devotees!

Sourdough September – 1st to 30th September 2024

Sourdough September is a month-long event led by the Real Bread Campaign to help everyone worldwide discover that life’s sweeter with sourdough!

Launched in 2013, the main aims of #SourdoughSeptember are to encourage people to:

• Bake genuine sourdough bread.
• Buy genuine sourdough bread from small, independent bakeries.
• Boost the Real Bread Campaign.

Find sourdough classes, tastings, feasts and more to help everyone experience and enjoy the power of sour.

National Tofu Month – 1st to 30th September 2024

National Tofu Month is the UK’s time to celebrate everything tofu and encourages everyone to enjoy tofu in as many ways as possible. Find helpful recipes to help get you on board with this versatile plant-based source of protein.

Zero Waste Week – 2nd to 6th September 2024

Zero Waste Week is an annual awareness campaign that takes place online and on the ground. It works to help householders, businesses, organisations, schools, universities and community groups reduce landfill waste, so you can
save money, preserve resources and protect the environment.

To take part, all you have to do is choose an action which will help you reduce your waste. Once you decide on your action, do it every day throughout Zero Waste Week in September and share your experience with others in person or online using the hashtag #ZeroWasteWeek.

Check out my zero-waste resources to get you off to a good start.

Fair Trade Fortnight – 9th September to 22nd September 2024

Fair Trade Fortnight celebrates the farmers and workers who grow the world’s food and promotes fair trade.

For two weeks each year, this year moving from February to September, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow our food and drinks, mine our gold and grow the cotton in our clothes.

This helps to raise awareness of the people in our supply chains that are often exploited and underpaid and helps to raise awareness of the importance of choosing Fair Trade.

World Dolphin Day – 12th September 2024

The 12th of September 2023 saw the inaugural International World Dolphin Day, and it’s back again for 2024, aiming to raise awareness and encourage more people to speak out against the slaughters on the Faroe Islands.

Organised by Stop The Grind, this global coalition of organisations and individuals is working together to end the inhumane and unnecessary killing of dolphins and whales in the Faroe Islands. Here annual dolphin hunts have taken place for hundreds of years.

The 12th of September is significant as it marks the anniversary of the day when 1428 dolphins were killed in the Faroe Islands in 2021. As the largest single slaughter of cetaceans in recorded history, the day stands as a reminder that dolphins around the world need more protection.

World Clean Up Day – 16th September 2024

World Clean Up Day unites millions of volunteers, governments and organisations in 191 countries to tackle our global waste problem.

On the day volunteers and partners worldwide come together to clean up litter and mismanaged waste from beaches, rivers, forests, and streets. Cleaning up hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste each year, it’s a great litter-picking day to get involved in.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer – 16th September 2024

International Day For The Preservation Of The Ozone Layer commemorates the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

This is an important day to commemorate as this day ended a huge threat to humanity as a whole: the depletion of the ozone layer. When the world found out that ozone-depleting gases used in aerosols and cooling were creating a hole in the sky, they came together. They showed that multilateralism and effective global cooperation worked and they phased out these gases. Now the ozone layer is healing, once again shielding humanity from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

The Great British Beach Clean – 20th to 29th September 2024

The Great British Beach Clean encourages thousands of people across the UK to head to the coast to help clean up our beaches. Here, hundreds of beach cleans take place up and down the UK. Data from the litter collected then helps drive the Marine Conservation Society’s conservation work. 

FSC Forest Week – 21st to 27th September 2024

FSC Forest Week is an annual awareness campaign to increase knowledge, encourage commitment and raise appreciation for responsible forestry.

Here people are encouraged to do their part for forests by committing to buy FSC-certified products. People are also encouraged to say ‘no’ to illegally logged wood or violations of the human rights of forest workers. You can also participate by sharing your favourite forest pictures on social media and telling your friends why forests should be protected.

World Car Free Day – 22nd September 2024

World Car Free Day is a chance for people to experience streets free of motor traffic. Celebrated in towns and cities around the world, this environmental awareness day is a great chance to re-imagine our streets around people.

The day is a great opportunity to host events in your local community and start the conversation around what would make walking even better where you live.

Living Streets, the sustainable transport charity, coordinates the UK activities for World Car Free Day. The charity can offer you all the information and helpful starting points you need. This could help to transform your street into a place for seating, cycle parking or lanes, gardens, play areas or art.

World Rivers Day – 22nd September 2024

World Rivers Day is held each year on the 4th Sunday in September, as a celebration of the world’s waterways. As well as highlighting the values of rivers, this awareness day strives to increase public awareness of the need to look after our waterways. It also calls for the improved stewardship of rivers around the world.

Look out for stream clean-ups near you on the day and more.

Seed Gathering Season – 23rd September to 23rd October 2024

Seed Gathering Season, led by The Tree Council, encourages everyone to join in gathering seeds, fruits and nuts and nurturing the trees of the future. 

Beginning on the 23rd of September – the autumn equinox – Seed Gathering Season is the perfect start to autumn, and is a great way to encourage people to start growing their own trees.

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October

Here are all of the sustainability days in October:

Unblocktober – 1st to 31st October 2024

Unblocktober is a month-long national campaign and awareness month to improve the health of our drains, sewers, watercourses and seas – driven completely by the British public. Campaigning to clean our drains helps to reduce the impact that our waste is having on our climate and ecology. 

International Walk To School Month – 1st to 31st October 2024

International Walk To School Month is a month-long celebration where children across the globe celebrate walking to school.

Promoting sustainable travel habits, the joy of exercise and road safety, there are heaps of ways to get involved. Even if your child can’t walk the full way to school, parents are encouraged to park a short distance away from the school and walk the last little bit to ease congestion and improve air quality around the vicinity of your school.

Black History Month – 1st to 31st October 2024

Black History Month is intrinsically linked to the environmental movement. Colonialisation has harmed Black communities through the extraction of natural resources, the erasure of culture, the impacts of slavery, and more.

And in the 21st century, Black and brown communities are more likely to live near toxic waste sites, live in communities with fewer environmental amenities, be harmed by climate change, inhale fine particulate matter and more. 

Black History Month gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture, and help tackle environmental racism.

World Vegetarian Day – 1st October 2024

World Vegetarian Day is an annual celebration of all things vegetarian. For those new to vegetarianism, it serves as an enticement to give meatless fare a try (even for a day) and learn about its many benefits. And, for vegetarians and those already moving towards plant-based diets, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate their food choices.

World Habitat Day – 7th October 2024

Falling every year on the first Monday of October, the UN’s World Habitat Day is a day to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of our planet.

No Disposable Cup Day – 4th October 2024

No Disposable Cup Day is an annual environmental awareness day to encourage people to stop using disposable cups for just one day. By highlighting the environmental problems caused by disposable cups, the campaign encourages everyone to permanently switch to reusable cups.

World Animal Day – 4th October 2024

World Animal Day is a day that aims to raise the status of animals to improve welfare standards around the globe.

To achieve this, animal welfare organisations, community groups, youth and children’s clubs, businesses and individuals are encouraged to organise events in celebration of World Animal Day. By uniting the animal welfare movement like this, the day aims to mobilise people for action now for a better future for animals.

International E-Waste Day – 14th October 2024

International E-Waste Day aims to raise awareness of the problems of electronic/electrical waste and encourage householders to recycle their electrical waste.

According to the United Nations, each person produces on average 7.6 kg of e-waste. This works out to a staggering 57.4 million tons of e-waste generated worldwide each year. Only 17.4% of this waste, containing a mixture of harmful substances and precious materials, is properly collected and recycled, so this awareness day aims to halt the cycle of e-waste ending up in landfill.

Recycle Week – Date TBC

Recycle Week is the nation’s annual celebration of recycling. It’s the one week of the year where retailers, brands, waste management companies, trade associations, governments and the media come together to achieve one goal: to galvanise the public into recycling more of the right things, more often.

Learn more about what can and can’t be recycled, and help press more brands into using recycled and recyclable packaging on their products.

World Food Day – 16th October 2024

World Food Day promotes worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all, leaving no one behind. 

With collective action in over 150 countries, hundreds of events and outreach activities bring together governments, businesses, civil society, the media, the public, and the youth. Working together in this way helps to prioritise the rights all people have to access food, nutrition, peace and equality.

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November

Here are all the environmental days in November to get your teeth into.

World Vegan Month – 1st to 30th November 2024

World Vegan Month, set up by the Vegan Society, is celebrated around the world as a time to shine a light on the vegan movement.

You’ll find the promotion of vegan events, recipes, clothing and more during this month-long celebration.

World Kindness Day – 13th November 2024

World Kindness Day is an annual day that was formed in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world.

On this day, participants attempt to make the world a better place by celebrating and promoting good deeds and pledging acts of kindness, either as individuals or as organisations.

Anybody wishing to take part in World Kindness Day can pledge a good deed. You can also find a range of resources including ideas for random acts of kindness both large and small on the campaign’s website.

Global Education Week – 18th to 24th November 2024

Global Education Week is an annual worldwide awareness-raising initiative taking part each year during the third week of November. The week aims to raise awareness about global education as a tool for solidarity and change and as a way of contributing to a more sustainable, peaceful and equitable world. As such, you’ll find discussions, workshops, film screenings, and talks to rethink our habits and ways of living, spending, and consuming.

National Tree Week – 23rd November to 1st December 2024

National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration. Here people are encouraged to plant trees to mark the start of the winter tree planting season.

Trees and hedgerows are some of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against climate change. Whether you plant a tree in a pot on your doorstep, a hedge in your garden or organise a community event at a local park, every tree will help to grow a greener future together. 

Download the free tree planting guide to find out more about what tree to choose, where to plant and how to do it! Alternatively, if you want to plant as part of a team, you can get in touch with your local Tree Warden Network and find out whether they’re organising any planting events near you.

Buy Nothing Day – 24th November 2024

Buy Nothing Day is an international day of protest against consumerism. In the United Kingdom, Buy Nothing Day is held on the day after U.S. Thanksgiving. The reason is that this allows Buy Nothing Day to fall on the same day as Black Friday – the day that retailers normally offer big discounts to lure in shoppers.

Take part in any way you choose – just buy nothing on the day, if you can. If you want to get more involved, look out for various gatherings and events that promote anti-consumerism on the day, as well as online events.

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December

Here are all the environmental awareness dates in December for your calendar.

Giving Tuesday – 3rd December 2024

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the last decade, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

You can volunteer your time; donate money; share your skills; campaign for something; donate goods, food, or clothes; or organise a community event such as a street or park clean-up or a coffee morning. The list is endless.

World Soil Day – 5th December 2024

World Soil Day is held annually on 5th December to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.

This environmental day aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil salinization, and increasing soil awareness. It also encourages societies to improve soil health.

International Mountain Day – 11th December 2024

International Mountain Day was set up in 2003 by the UN to highlight the importance of sustainable mountain development.

Our mountains are under threat from climate change and overexploitation. As the global climate continues to warm, mountain people – some of the world’s poorest – face even greater struggles to survive. The rising temperatures also mean that mountain glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, affecting freshwater supplies downstream for millions of people.

The day seeks to help mobilise people to take care of our mountains, based on a particular theme. Previous years have included “Mountain minorities and indigenous peoples.” This aimed to raise awareness about indigenous peoples and marginalised groups who live in mountain environments and the relevance of their cultural heritage, traditions and customs.

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That’s a literal ton of events right there to keep you busy! As always, if you know of any more sustainability or environmental days then do let me know. I’ll be sure to add them here!