Earth Day 2025

Our Thoughts on Earth Day:

This year’s Earth Day, taking place on April 22nd, is themed “OUR POWER, OUR PLANET.” The aim is to unite people around the globe in support of renewable energy and to triple the generation of clean electricity by 2030. As part of an environmental consultancy focused on projects that support these goals, our consultants from the infrastructure division shared their thoughts on Earth Day and the importance of achieving its mission.

Tom’s thoughts:

As an environmental impact assessment (EIA) practitioner, Earth Day represents a crucial moment in the history of environmental awareness and action. The first Earth Day, held in 1970, followed a growing environmental movement in the US, which was continuing to build traction both from a policy perspective and as a subject of social concern. This had culminated in the passing of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in the US the same year, often referred to as the ‘Magna Carter’ of environmental law. NEPA outlines the fundamentals of the EIA process and continues to influence global practice to this day.

This year’s Earth Day theme of ‘Our Power, Our Planet’ is centred on uniting around renewable energy. For Britain, this builds on the government’s ambition to expand the role of renewables within the power system, increasing the share of electricity generated by low-carbon sources that would otherwise be reliant on fossil fuels. The government has concluded there is a critical national priority for nationally significant low-carbon infrastructure (large-scale energy infrastructure projects), which are subject to an EIA. Given the scale and nature of these projects, EIA practitioners play a crucial role in assessing environmental effects, ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting meaningful consultation and engagement with local communities, stakeholders, and statutory consultees.

Marianna’s thoughts:

My time at Temple has allowed me to be part of exciting infrastructure projects that support the shift towards renewable energy. It’s given me insight into the procedures and processes involved in bringing large-scale infrastructure projects to life. Every step of the journey to the realisation of the project counts when it comes to delivering clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

However, when I think about this year’s Earth Day theme, “OUR POWER, OUR PLANET,” I think not only about the massive wind or solar farms, but also I think about the power of people. I think of people as the centre of the energy transition, because real change requires collaboration from everyone. Decentralisation of energy is driven by people’s actions and choices, and sometimes it is easy to lose sight of that when working daily in the large-scale infrastructure on an everyday basis. Communities are the core of shaping the future of energy, from participation in local initiatives to small actions such as aiming for a renewable energy provider. I believe that by empowering people with knowledge, we can make a positive change in that area.

The goals set out are ambitious, but the climate crisis keeps pushing us to move faster. On this Earth Day, I am proud to be part of a community that drives change not only from the consultancy point of view, behind the scenes of large infrastructure projects, but also by the everyday actions that initiate the transformation.

Joanna’s thoughts:

As an environmental project manager, it is my responsibility to enforce the meaning of Earth Day into the projects I manage and deliver. In my role, Earth Day is more than a moment of reflection; it is a call to educate, advocate, mobilise, manage and pledge to the protection of our natural environment.

I strive to educate project teams and external stakeholders on the environmental implications of our decisions. I advocate for sustainable and nature-positive solutions. I work to mobilise resources and people toward collective environmental goals, manage projects in a way that respects planetary boundaries, and pledge my ongoing commitment to integrating meaningful, measurable sustainability into every stage of project delivery.

Earth Day is a global call to action, but at Temple, it is embedded in our core values and beliefs, working within the environmental sector. Earth Day offers a vital opportunity to reflect on our progress, acknowledge ongoing environmental challenges and renew our commitment to delivering sustainable change. As a project manager, I have the opportunity to drive environmental change. Not only by managing risks and resources, but by shaping outcomes that have a tangible, lasting impact on ecosystems and communities. Whether it’s pushing for low-carbon design, incorporating nature-based solutions, or amplifying the voice of the environment in early decision-making, Earth Day reminds me that my role has the power to bring around sustainable change, delivering a sustainable future.