FAO Launches Ambitious Strategy to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 45% by 2030

Strategic Insights -

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has launched a new Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy, aiming to reduce its total Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) by 45 percent by 2030. The strategy focuses on improving the sustainability of daily operations, including energy efficiency measures, updated travel policies, and improved water use and recycling schemes. This new initiative marks a significant turning point for FAO, as the organization seeks to lead by example and demonstrate its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAO aims to reduce its total Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) by 45 percent by 2030.
  • The Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy focuses on improving the sustainability of daily operations, including energy efficiency measures, updated travel policies, and improved water use and recycling schemes.
  • The strategy includes concrete actions such as promoting the increased use of renewables, avoiding the use of diesel generators, increasing waste separation and improving recycling schemes, phasing out single-use plastics, and encouraging flexible working practices to reduce commuting.
  • FAO has made progress in reducing GHG emissions, with a solid trend of emissions reduction already visible, attributed to initiatives such as the installation of solar energy systems and offsetting travel- and building-related carbon dioxide emissions since 2014.
  • The new strategy will boost environmental sustainability throughout the Organization's entire programme of work, targeting all projects and offices across the world.
  • FAO Director-General QU Dongyu issued a global call for action to all FAO employees, encouraging them to think innovatively on how to make a difference through their actions, either in the office or at home.

Statistics:

  • 45% reduction in total Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) by 2030.
  • 27 million kg of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced cumulative since 2008, through FAO projects.
  • Cumulative savings of over USD 4 million since 2008, through FAO projects.
  • 100% offset of travel- and building-related carbon dioxide emissions since 2014.
  • Solar energy systems installed at FAO headquarters, FAO Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana, FAO country offices in Djibouti, Mauritania, Nepal, and Uganda.

Sources:

  • "FAO Launches Ambitious Strategy to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 45% by 2030" by FAO.
  • "Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy" by FAO.
  • "Turning Point for FAO: Director-General's Address to the Launch of the New Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy" by QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General.