"Every Breath Has a Story", a global photo competition, launched alongside World Environment Day, inviting people to document the human reality of air pollution through powerful images and personal reflections. Launched by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, State of Global Air, Africa Clean Air Network and UNEP, the initiative seeks to highlight pollution’s impacts on health, livelihoods and daily life, while showcasing solutions and hope. Selected photographs will be featured globally for the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, among other exhibitions. The campaign helps underscore the ties between air pollution and climate change, and the need for action on both. Learn more about the competition. 

An international partnership spanning five countries is advancing efforts to restore wild horses to Central Kazakhstan’s Altyn Dala, a UN World Restoration Flagship. This week, alongside World Environment Day, a third group of endangered Przewalski’s horses arrived from European breeding centres, which are being reintroduced to the fragile Kazakh steppe ecosystem to help bring balance back to the grasslands and address climate change impacts. Przewalski’s horses (Equus przewalskii) are regarded as the world’s last truly wild horse. As native grazers, the horses help reduce wildfire risk and strengthen ecosystem resilience by consuming dry vegetation and stimulating biodiversity. Read more. 

Supermodel and Goodwill Ambassador Amber Valletta rallied her family and friends to join in the Climate Limbo, each sharing their own reason for taking climate action – from protecting endangered species to ensuring the sustainable use of AI. Watch the full video, and stay tuned through the end for special dance moves from Valletta’s grandma. 

Ahead of World Environment Day, UNEP’s Director of Communication Daniel Cooney appeared on Baku-based international news channel AnewZ to speak about World Environment Day and Azerbaijan’s role as the 2026 host country. Cooney highlighted Azerbaijan’s efforts to restore biodiversity, lower methane emissions and invest strongly in renewable energy. He also noted the Day's mission to push for change globally. “This is a moment, one day in the year, where we encourage people: Go and make your voice heard,” he said. “Hopefully when enough people call for action on the environment, that then inspires their leaders to pass the policies that are needed [and] to mobilize the finance that is needed – and this is what we see that World Environment Day can do.” Watch the full news segment.

How can AI be used to help the planet? Led by Sir John Hegarty, co-founder of creative agencies Saatchi and Saatchi and Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH), a new non-profit initiative named Agenda Earth is launching on World Environment Day 2026. Named for UN Agenda 21 – a landmark blueprint for the environment and sustainable development adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit – Agenda Earth uses music, storytelling by AI-powered animation to inspire climate and environmental action. By harnessing the growing trend of shareable animal bands on social media, the initiative aims to engage new audiences through messaging delivered through song by beloved wildlife. Watch the debut video here, and follow Agenda Earth on Instagram for updates. 

Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines Antoinette Taus and her brother, DJ Tom Taus, took to the forest to get low with the Climate Limbo among the trees. Their message focuses on spreading the climate solutions we already have – and calling on others to join the limbo too. Watch the full dance.

via GIPHY