United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently said, "2021 must be the year to reconcile humanity with nature." 

Indeed, as a pandemic ravages the world, it is important to stay determined in our mission to realise the Sustainable Development Goals and reconnect with nature to create a world that is kinder to every living species, not just human beings.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been steadfast in its commitment to invest in sustainable solutions for the future. The importance of conserving our environment and minimising the damage caused by the disposal of everyday items has become paramount to battle the destruction of the environment and stay on track for realising the SDGs by 2030.

To this end, UNDP has come out with innovative, eco-friendly stationery items at the beginning of 2021.

UNDP has created notebooks, pens, and pencils that will sprout leaves once they're planted after use. The items contain seeds of rose and mint inside, and the other raw materials used to produce these are also sustainable.

The box that the goodies come in was made using recycled fabric, while the signature blue UNDP notebook is made entirely with recycled paper.

With a renewed commitment to the environment, UNDP is planting the seeds for a future where humanity remains connected to nature, quite literally.