More than 100 students and alumni of United Nations Environment Programme-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development celebrated the World Environment Day online on Friday.

Isabelle Louis, deputy director for UNEP Asia-Pacific office, introduced this year's theme of biodiversity in an address to people connected from more than a dozen of countries.

"The World Environment Day is a reminder that we need urgent action and sweeping national leadership together with international cooperation to preserve nature," said Louis, praising Tongji University's effort in promoting sustainable development as UNEP's long-term partner.

Lukasz Madrzynski, a doctoral graduate from the institute who started an eco-tourism company in Yunnan province, gave a keynote speech on the impact of COVID-19 on the environment and its implications for sustainable entrepreneurship.

A panel discussion on eco-innovation toward green development was held, and panelist from business, financial sector, media and academia talked about the green development opportunities in China and took questions from the audience.

Li Fengting, executive deputy dean of the institute, encouraged students to connect with each other and contribute to a more sustainable world.

Established by UNEP and Tongji University in 2002, the institute has provided environmental education for students from more than 70 countries, and carried out various capacity-building programs for more than 5,000 participants from developing countries.