The climate crisis has brought
decarbonisation and emissions reduction to the forefront of global humanitarian
and development agendas, urging a shift toward doing more with less. This
creates an opportunity to align aid and development efforts with the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). While programs and policies promoting greener
humanitarian responses are emerging, more coordinated action is needed to meet
these ambitions effectively, ensuring that life-saving interventions also
contribute to long term environmentally sustainable solutions. Currently, electricity generation in
humanitarian operations relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing
significantly to carbon emissions. For example, five major UN agencies and the
ICRC operate over 11,000 generators, spending $108 million annually on fuel and
emitting 194,000 tons of CO2. With the falling costs of solar energy, energy
efficiency measures, and innovative models like Power Purchase Agreements
(PPAs) and leasing mechanisms, all present viable pathways for decarbonising
humanitarian energy supplies. Implementing these solutions can reduce
carbon footprints, enhance energy reliability and achieve significant cost
savings for humanitarian operations. This session brings together humanitarian
actors, donors, governments, and the private sector to explore opportunities
and best practices for greening energy supplies. Key themes include:
- Leveraging energy data collection and sharing to enhance energy
solutions planning.
- Innovative financing for scaling clean energy
interventions.
- Progress on service-based procurement models to promote energy
efficiency and sustainability especially in longer–term Operation and Maintenance
schemes
- Identifying and fostering cross-sector collaboration
opportunities.
The goal is to raise awareness of
actionable steps to decarbonise humanitarian energy and build partnerships to
drive this transition. Speakers (TBC): Senior staff members from: · German Federal Foreign Office
(TBC) · UNHCR (TBC) · The Global Platform for Action
on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings · Climate Action Accelerator · WFP (TBC) · UNEP (TBC) Agenda (TBC): · 0:30: Welcome and Opening
Panel/Presentation · 0:45: Breakout Discussions on
key themes · 0:15: Reporting out and Session
Close Guiding Documents: · Estimating the use of Diesel Generators in Displacement
Settings (UNITAR, 2021) · Standard Clauses for PPA and Leasing Agreements for Clean
Energy Provision in Humanitarian Settings (GIZ, UNITAR/GPA and Becker
Buttner Held, 2020) · Feasibility for a Global Guarantee Mechanism in
Humanitarian Energy Contracts (Energy MRC, 2020) Please register for online participation: https://unitar.zoom.us/meeting/register/qVTXHHbbToiU4bqlrX0AvQ After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. | 
