As part of World Environment Day celebrations, the Anti‑Counterfeit Authority (ACA) recently carried out a large‑scale tree‑planting and consumer‑awareness initiative at Butere Boys and Butere Girls schools. The two‑day effort engaged more than 5,000 students and saw over 1,530 tree seedlings planted, alongside donations of water storage tanks and an intensive programme on environmental stewardship and consumer protection.

World Environment Day is an annual global platform led by the United Nations Environment Programme to inspire awareness and action for the planet. In 2026, the campaign urges everyone to act #NowForClimate, asking what positive signal we will send back to an Earth already sending us warnings. The global theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” emphasises that urgent climate action, ecosystem restoration and sustainable living are essential for a safer planet. ACA’s initiative echoed this call. By planting tree species such as podocarpus, grevillea, ashoka and Elgon teak alongside fruit‑bearing trees like mangoes, avocados, pawpaws and berries, the programme aimed to enhance biodiversity, prevent soil erosion and provide long‑term nutritional and economic benefits to the schools and surrounding communities. The addition of 6,500 litres of water storage capacity further supports the survival of these trees in a region where water security is a pressing challenge.

The event was more than a planting exercise. ACA’s cross‑departmental team delivered sessions on the agency’s mandate and practical tips for identifying counterfeit goods. Henry Maina OGW, ACA’s deputy director of research, described the approach as a “fundamental shift” in community engagement, noting that the organisation was “planting seeds of awareness about consumer protection and the importance of authenticity in every product students purchase.” Leadership at both schools underscored the long‑term impact of the initiative. Prof. Linda Zalo of Butere Girls highlighted how the trees would provide fruit and shade for decades, transforming the campus and deepening students’ connection to sustainability. Habil Malik, chief principal of Butere Boys, stressed that environmental action isn’t the sole responsibility of governments and NGOs; it is something students and communities can undertake themselves.

World Environment Day reminds us that each step towards climate action counts. ACA’s integrated approach combining tree planting, infrastructure support and consumer education offers a model for corporate social responsibility that addresses multiple societal challenges simultaneously. By sourcing seedlings from local community forest groups, the authority also supported grassroots environmental initiatives and ensured species diversity. Student reactions were overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed surprise at how meaningful tree planting could be and came away with a greater appreciation of how everyday choices whether buying authentic products or protecting the environment, shapes the future.

The 2026 World Environment Day theme reminds us that nature is central to climate resilience and that every community has a role to play. ACA’s initiative demonstrates how government agencies can integrate environmental stewardship with their core mandates. As the 1,530 saplings take root, they stand as living symbols of a broader commitment to sustainability and consumer empowerment, reflecting the global message that our actions today determine the planet we will inhabit tomorrow.