International Day of the Tropics

International Day of the Tropics History

The International Day of the Tropics is an annual observance that aims to recognize and raise awareness of the significant challenges and opportunities faced by countries located within the tropics. The day seeks to promote the diverse nature of the tropics, as well as challenge the negative stereotypes often related to the region.

The day was first declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016, with the aim of promoting sustainable development within the tropics. The tropics cover approximately 40% of the Earth's surface and are home to over 80% of the world's biodiversity. The region is also a key contributor to global economic growth, with industries such as tourism, agriculture and fishing all relying on the tropical climate.

The United Kingdom recognizes the importance of the tropics, and celebrates the International Day of the Tropics alongside other nations around the world. The day serves as an opportunity to highlight the unique challenges faced by countries in the tropics, such as climate change, poverty and disease. It also promotes the significant contributions that can be made to global development through sustainable development practices in tropical regions. The International Day of the Tropics is observed annually on June 29th.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 International Day of the Tropics in the UK

• The International Day of the Tropics, observed annually on 29 June, serves as a critical focal point for understanding the global environmental and social shifts that directly impact the United Kingdom’s ecological and economic interests.
• The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is currently undertaking a landmark £60 million restoration of its iconic Palm House to transform the Victorian masterpiece into the world’s first net-zero heritage glasshouse, ensuring a sustainable future for one of the UK’s most significant collections of rare tropical flora.
• Despite covering only 40% of the Earth's surface, the tropical regions are home to approximately 80% of the world's biodiversity, yet they also experience a rate of species loss significantly higher than any other part of the planet.
• By 2050, it is projected that the tropics will host more than half of the global population and two-thirds of the world's children, a demographic shift that will redefine global trade and security for future generations in the United Kingdom.
• Recent data from the Global Forest Watch highlights that Brazil achieved a remarkable 41% reduction in primary rainforest loss in 2025, offering a rare success story in the global effort to combat climate change through tropical conservation.
• The tropics contain nearly 95% of the world’s mangrove forests, which act as vital natural barriers against storm surges and sequester carbon at rates far exceeding temperate forests, making their protection a priority for UK-funded international climate initiatives.
• Although the region possesses 54% of the world’s renewable water resources, nearly half of the tropical population faces persistent water stress, an issue explored in the detailed findings of the State of the Tropics 2024 report.
• The upcoming observance provides an opportunity to revisit the historical "Torrid Zone" hypothesis by Aristotle, which incorrectly suggested that human civilisation could not flourish in the intense heat of the tropics.
• Cultural awareness in the UK has been bolstered by significant creative works such as the 2024 documentary Apocalypse in the Tropics, which examines the complex intersection of religion and politics in Brazil.
• British travellers continue to show a profound affinity for tropical ecosystems, with Thailand remaining the most searched-for long-haul destination for UK holidaymakers heading into the 2026 season.

In the News and Trending in the UK for International Day of the Tropics

Top things to do in the UK for this observance

• Read a first-hand account about Carmen Rodríguez and her family's efforts to preserve Colombia's tropical dry forest.
• Browse the 2020 report on the state of the tropics. It covers a wide variety of topics including the environment, human impact, and the application of science and technology.
• Explore the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens in London. This greenhouse maintains a tropical rainforest environment with exotic orchids, ferns, and other tropical plants.
• Many zoos and aquariums in the UK have tropical exhibits, such as the Rainforest Life exhibit at ZSL London Zoo, that can be visited to learn more about tropical animals and their habitats.