26 JANUARY

The United Nations General Assembly declared January 26^th as the International Day of Clean Energy in order to raise awareness and mobilise action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet. The resolution emphasises the need to increase the share of renewables and clean energy by 2030. The draft resolution focus on the contribution to the ongoing efforts in the context of SDG7 and further recognise the role clean energy can play in achieving the sustainable development goals. It reiterates the commitment to close the gap that still exists globally in terms of universal access to electricity, while recognising the common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances, especially in the developing countries. It is also an acknowledgement of the actions that have been implemented and milestones achieved towards an energy transition. Developing countries are committed to improving access to energy while contributing to the global fight against climate change. Energy Transition and Investment Plans detail the actions and investments needed to reach their goals, helping countries attract support.

23 MARCH

23 March, the World Meteorological Organisation commemorates the coming into force of the convention establishing the organisation on this day in 1950. The World Meteorological Day showcases the essential contribution of national meteorological and hydrological services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world. The themes chosen for World Meteorological Day reflect topical weather, climate or water-related issues. As a result of heat-trapping greenhouse gases, the average global temperature is now more than 1° celsius higher today compared to 150 years ago. Our weather is more extreme, our ocean is warmer and more acidic, sea levels have risen and glaciers and ice are melting. The rate of change is accelerating. We need urgent action now to slash emissions and to ensure that future generations can both survive and thrive on our planet. The good news is that rapid scientific and technological advances have greatly improved the accuracy of weather forecasts and life-saving early warnings.

03 JUNE

The United Nations has declared June 3^rd as World Bicycle Day, by adopting a resolution on April 12^th 2018, during the 72^nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York City. The aims of the day is to Encourage stakeholders to emphasize and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, by strengthening education, including physical education for young people and promoting healthly lives by preventing the spread of diseases. The United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace was introduced by Kofi Annan in 2001. Its mandate was to coordinate the efforts undertaken by the United Nations in promoting sport in a systematic and coherent way as a means to contribute to the achievement of development and peace. Funded research demonstrates that a switch from motorised vehicles to cycling would help confront climate issues, while generating infrastructure savings of up to $25 trillion by 2050.

17 JUNE

Drought is one of the most destructive natural disasters in terms of the loss of life arising from impacts, such as widescale crop failure, wildfires and water stress. Exacerbated by land degradation and climate change, droughts are increasing in frequency and severity, up 29% since 2000, with 55 million people affected every year. By 2050, droughts may affect an estimated three-quarters of the world’s population. It’s a global and urgent issue. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a United Nations observance celebrated each year on 17 June. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, highlighting methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought.

07 SEPTEMBER

Encouraged by the increasing interest of the international community in clean air, and emphasising the need to make further efforts to improve air quality, including reducing air pollution to protect human health, the United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 7 September as International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. The day aims to prioritise the need for healthy air for all and to encompass other critical issues such as climate change, human and planetary health as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. The day also serves as a rallying call to action to collectively align efforts and claim the right to clean air.

16 SEPTEMBER

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (resolution 49/114). The latest update from the Scientific Assessment Panel to the Montreal Protocol confirmed that ozone layer recovery is on track and ozone levels are expected to return to 1980 levels by around 2066 over the Antarctic. The aims of the World Ozone Day is to spread awareness among people about the depletion of Ozone Layer and find possible solutions to preserve it. A united global effort to phase out ozone depleting substances means that today, the hole in the ozone layer is healing, in turn protecting human health, economies and ecosystems.

13 OCTOBER

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is an opportunity to acknowledge the progress being made toward reducing disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health, to prepare and adapt to the risks of disasters and strikes in different sectors of development. Disasters impact low- and middle-income countries disproportionately, particularly in terms of mortality, numbers of people injured, displaced and homeless, economic losses (as a percentage of GDP) and damage to critical infrastructure. We cannot eradicate poverty and hunger if we don’t step up investments in disaster risk reduction. International cooperation for developing countries through Official Development Aid (ODA) and capacity building is essential to boost disaster resilience in the face of extreme weather events and other natural and man-made hazards.

07 DECEMBER

The observance of the 7 December as International Civil Aviation Day was established in 1994 as part of ICAO’s 50th anniversary activities. In 1996, pursuant to an International Civil Aviation Organisation initiative and with the assistance of the Canadian Government, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/51/33, which officially recognised in the UN system. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of international civil aviation, to engage with industry and aviation stakeholders to discuss different topics related to the future of aviation and to develop international standards for aviation safety.