The embassy requested Norad to undertake a Review of the embassy’s portfolio to identify possible ways and means of addressing/integrating appropriate climate change and environmental concerns in existing programs and projects.
A wide range of measures on how to make the embassy and its cooperation with partners greener are now suggested in the report ”Review of the Embassy’s Development Cooperation Portfolio: Climate Change and Environment “Climate Proofing and Greening of the Portfolio”. Awareness about climate and environmental footprints are the first step, followed by implementation of ideas and recommendations on how to reduce our impacts. Improving documentation on environmental and climate change related issues in projects, and programmes supported by the embassy together with encouraging partners to do the same are important elements.
It’s time for the embassy and its partners to walk the talk!
- Shift all light bulbs at Embassy to energy efficiet LED bulbs. Do the same in all residences
- Switch off lights and panel ovens when not in your office or rooms. Do not unneccessary use lights during daytime. Do the same at home.
- Allow a higher indoor temperature, daytime, or lower, morning time
- Limit the use of AC
- Consider solar power for water heating
- Turn off computers and other appliances instead of using stand by
- When replacing electric appliances, find low energy-consumption appliances
- Phase out the use of diesel generators
- Reuse and recycle paper
- Print and copy on both sides of paper
- Consider carefully the need for printing when you can be reading on your PC
- Avoid unneccessary magazine subscriptions, and consider internal distribution, circulation of papers when not urgent
- Limit water use during washing and showering. Make sure to turn off taps during water shortage
- Use more efficient "irrigation system" for the garden
- Do not irrigate during daytime, sunny hours. Preferably to be done at night time
- Introduce rainwater harvesting for storing and irrigation
- Consider types of grass and plants. Replanting less water dependent plants
- Reduce waste of recycle/compost. Separate all recyclable material from non-recyclable material
- Safely dispose of batteries, light bulbs and other hazardous waste
- Introduce ecological, natural and organic cleaning products
- Consider transport routines: type and use of vehicle, arrange to travel together
- Document carbon neutrality; measure current energy consumption