World Environment Day will be marked in Bahrain on Thursday with a celebration by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) regional office for West Asia.

The event is being held in co-operation with Batelco at the Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa and under the patronage of the Southern Governor and Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife president Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Present will be representatives of non-governmental organisations as well as UN representatives.

'It will include keynote speeches by representatives of UNEP, Batelco and the public commission,' said a UNEP spokeswoman.

The celebrations will be held under the theme 'Kick the CO2 Habit: Towards a Low Carbon Economy.'

'These will focus on solutions and opportunities for countries, companies and communities to de-carbonise their economies and lifestyles, with measures including reducing greenhouse gases, energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption in order to encounter climate change,' said the spokeswoman.

She said this year, the main event would be held in New Zealand, one of the first countries to pledge a carbon-neutral future.

World Environment Day is commemorated each year on June 5 in a different city. It is one of the principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

The day's agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues.

'The World Environment Day is also a popular event with colorful activities such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, and essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and cleaning-up campaigns,' said the spokeswoman.

The day also aims to advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and people enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. The celebrations begin at 10am.-TradeArabia News Service