World Food Programme (WFP)
www.wfp.org
HQ: Rome, Italy
Number of staff: 11,799
Number of locations: 1,177
Key figures
Total emissions: 78,385 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions per staff member: 6.6 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions from air travel: 23,575 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Air travel as a proportion of total emissions: 30%
Air travel per staff member: 2 tonnes CO2
Building-related emissions: 9 kg CO2 equivalent per square metre
Executive Director’s message
"WFP has long recognized that measuring and managing the environmental impacts of our work, including during emergencies, is an important act of stewardship. It helps us safeguard the livelihoods of people we serve: the hungry poor. Better environmental practices can also help to reduce WFP’s operating costs, allowing us to deliver better value for money as a trusted partner in the global effort to end hunger.
I am determined that, as one of the first agencies on the ground in an emergency, WFP makes the most of opportunities to lead the deployment of innovative solutions and technologies in some of the world’s most marginal environments. WFP's Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction strategy commits us to cost-effective improvements in how we use power in our buildings, manage our vehicle fleets and minimise our travel. We will measure our progress every year against our 2008 baseline in order to track results in a transparent and accountable manner.
Ensuring an effective, resource-efficient WFP starts at the top, with me and our executive management team. I am committed to making WFP more environmentally sustainable and resource-efficient at the same time, and will work with WFP staff across the globe to embed sustainability into our operations. "
Ertharin Cousin
WFP Executive Director
Mission
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, fighting hunger worldwide. In emergencies, we get food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After the cause of an emergency has passed, we use food assistance to help communities rebuild. WFP pursues a vision in which every man, woman and child has access at all times to the food needed for an active and healthy life.
Experience so far
- WFP conducted an initial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) footprint of HQ buildings for 2007 and has now completed four global footprints (2008-2011). WFP’s footprint is one of the largest in the UN.
- Analysis of our emissions profile, and an all-staff consultation process in 2011, helped shape WFP’s Emission Reduction Strategy (2011-2013), which was approved at Executive level in 2012. The Strategy aims to reduce WFP’s emissions by 10% below 2008 levels by 2013, with the potential to save more than 8,000 tonnes of CO2e and USD 3.3 million in operating costs per year through improved energy management in buildings, reduced fuel consumption in vehicles and stabilizing travel emissions at 2008 levels. WFP is working towards this target through a range of emission reduction initiatives aimed particularly at the 10 largest country operations.
- WFP’s emissions profile is different from many other UN agencies. More than half of all emissions come from diesel fuel used in our fleet, or to power generators in offices, warehouses and guesthouses in remote areas.
- Travel comprised approximately 30% of emissions, much less than the UN average. This total includes emissions from WFP Aviation, including emergency food airlifts and chartered passenger flights, which can fluctuate dramatically from year to year.
- WFP has identified a range of options to improve building energy efficiency, including upgrades to lighting, heating and cooling systems and ICT equipment.
- In some countries, particularly those with high fuel costs and heavy reliance on generators, renewable energy systems are proving to be cost effective.
- WFP has a fleet management plan in place to improve fuel efficiency through driver training and fleet optimisation.
- WFP undertook a scoping exercise in 2012 to establish an organisation-wide Environmental Management System, with the aim of expanding current climate neutral and sustainability efforts into a comprehensive, internationally recognised framework.
Reduction efforts
- A 20kW solar panel system installed during 2010 at the WFP country office in Kathmandu, Nepal continues to save on generator fuel costs and ensure security of supply.
- Several WFP sites, including in Sudan, Niger, Ethiopia, Somalia and Chad have installed low energy solar security lighting, replacing traditional floodlights that draw up to 500 Watts each. Solar PV systems are also under consideration for sites in Ghana, Italy and Pakistan.
- In Afghanistan and Chad WFP has invested in equipment to connect to newly established mains electricity grids, reducing their 100% reliance on diesel generators, saving CO2 emissions and costs.
- Driver training continued throughout 2012, and more than 850 WFP drivers from 31 countries have received training since 2009 on driving more efficiently, to help reduce fuel consumption. The training also covers vehicle maintenance (a poorly maintained vehicle can use up to 20% more fuel) and driver safety and security. More than 280 drivers from other UN agencies have also received the training.
- Through a joint electricity tender with other Rome-based agencies—FAO and IFAD—WFP has purchased zero-emission “green energy” for its HQ premises since 2009.
- Staff awareness programs in Dakar, Dubai, Kathmandu, Khartoum, Rome and Vientiane have promoted energy-smart habits such as switching off lights, computers and AC equipment when not in use to help save emissions and costs.
- In 2013 WFP’s new Energy Efficiency Programme will kick-start investment in energy efficiency by using monies levied from an internal carbon tax on vehicles to part fund the capital investment costs for energy saving projects that can demonstrate cost-effective reductions in GHG emissions.
Offsetting
WFP’s current focus is on realising the financial and environmental benefits of reducing energy use. In an organization working on the frontlines of hunger, making energy reduction part of ‘business as usual’ operations is the best and most sustainable way to maximize energy savings and reduce GHG emissions in the long term. In the interim, a voluntary program that enables staff to utilise Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) to purchase high quality carbon credits to offset official travel is under consideration. Other options being considered include generating CDM-accredited offsets from WFP’s own project work and seeking donations of CDM-accredited carbon credits, or of cash contributions expressly for purpose of purchasing them.
Next steps
- With an approved Emission Reduction Strategy in place, WFP is prioritising emission reduction efforts in its 10 most GHG intensive operations, which account for almost two thirds of emissions. Targeting these countries will ensure the greatest potential savings for the organisation can be realised.
- WFP will continue efforts in 2013 to establish an Environmental Management System, through a collaborative approach involving key stakeholders within the organization.
- Energy saving projects funded through WFP’s Energy Efficiency Programme will be closely monitored to ensure that investments provide cost effective GHG reductions within short payback periods.
- Efficient project implementation will be encouraged by exploring Long Term Agreements with suppliers of key products and services.
- Driver training and enhanced vehicle fleet management will continue throughout 2013 and beyond.
- Incorporating energy use and emissions monitoring into existing global facilities management software will streamline data collection and GHG footprint reporting for field and HQ staff, helping to shift the focus from measuring emissions to managing them.
