Environmental and Social Sustainability

WFP is committed to improving the environmental and social sustainability outcomes of our programme operations. The Environmental and Social Safeguards identify, avoid or manage potentially negative risks and effects of WFP’s programmes, by systematically integrating WFP’s Environmental and Social Standards into the design and implementation of our programmes.

WFP’s Environmental Management System (based on the principles of International Standard ISO 14001) helps us identify, manage and reduce any negative environmental impacts resulting from our support operations, including facilities management, information technology, procurement and transport. Focus areas include waste management and water conservation, encouraging sustainable procurement and staff training on environmental management, energy efficiency and decarbonization.

WFP’s Energy Efficiency Programme supports WFP facilities in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including through solar and hybrid power systems in field locations, and energy-efficient lighting and heating or cooling units. We also created a WFP Decarbonization Fund, which is open to contributions from donors. The Fund collects revenue from internal carbon taxes on vehicles and commercial air travel, to fund the Energy Efficiency Programme and other decarbonization projects.

WFP embeds sustainability considerations across its supply chain operations from sourcing to delivery, measuring greenhouse gas emissions to help prioritize interventions and curb environmental impact. WFP explores environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient practices in collaboration with suppliers and partners, to both mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

WFP strives to create a transparent and effective Complaints and Feedback Mechanism to allow stakeholders, partners, communities and individuals to report environmental and social standards violations. These standards include protecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights, preventing child labour, and zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. Infringement could be by WFP or any of our partners. This mechanism allows for prompt and confidential processing. Complaints should be sent to: environmentalsocial.complaints@wfp.org.