Sustainable supply strategy

Supply chain management

Sustainable supply strategy

UNHCR is working to improve the sustainability of our end-to-end supply chain for core relief items, reducing carbon emissions and using more recycled materials, where possible.

A South Sudanese returnee receives a blanket and bucket from a UNHCR staff member.

A UNHCR staff member hands over core relief items, including blankets, mats and a bucket, to Achan, a mother-of-six, at her shelter in the bush in South Sudan.

UNHCR purchases a wide range of goods through international and local markets in order to provide international protection to people forced to flee.

Core relief items, such as tents, blankets and sleeping mats, are key components of our humanitarian assistance. While they are vital and life-sustaining products, an expert evaluation found that their production and distribution contribute to almost 60 per cent of UNHCR’s total carbon emissions.

In response UNHCR is undertaking major initiatives to improve the sustainability of our end-to-end supply chain, including in the planning, sourcing, contents, manufacturing processes, procurement, delivery and lifecycle management of essential relief items and other goods.

By prioritizing local procurement and considering diversity, gender balance and ethical practices, UNHCR is also supporting local economies and social inclusion.

By 2025 UNHCR aims to:

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Reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent

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Increase recycled plastic content of core items by 20 per cent

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Develop 10 environmentally friendly product specifications

Product specifications for UNHCR core relief items

UNHCR is revising the specifications of the highest emitting core relief items. So far, six specifications have been modified to reduce virgin plastic materials and increase the proportion of recycled material by up to 100 per cent.

Sleeping mat

UNHCR environmentally friendly product specifications: Sleeping mat, recycled. UNHCR procures an average of 3 million sleeping mats annually.

Jerrycan

UNHCR environmentally friendly product specifications: Jerrycan, semi-collapsible, 10L, recycled. UNHCR procures an average of 400 000 jerrycans annually.

Kitchen set

UNHCR environmentally friendly product specifications: Kitchen set, recycled. UNHCR procures more than 800 thousand kitchen sets annually.

Portable solar lantern

UNHCR environmentally friendly product specifications: Portable solar lantern. UNHCR procured more than 700 thousand portable solar lanterns in 2022.

Blanket, high thermal

UNHCR environmentally friendly product specifications: Blanket, synthetic (fleece), 1.5 x 2m, high thermal, recycled. UNHCR procures an average of 5 million blankets annually.

Blanket, medium thermal

UNHCR environmentally friendly product specifications: Blanket, synthetic (fleece), 1.5 x 2m, medium thermal, recycled. UNHCR procures an average of 5 million blankets annually.

Bucket 14L

UNHCR environmentally friendly product specifications: Bucket, heavy-duty plastic, 14L, recycled. UNHCR procures an average of 1 million buckets annually.

Bucket, 14L, with tap

UNHCR environmentally friendly product specifications: Bucket, heavy-duty plastic, 14L, with tap, recycled. UNHCR procures an average of 1 million buckets annually.

Canvas roll material

UNHCR environmentally friendly product specifications: Canvas roll material for hot and dry climatic conditions (1.50 x 70 m).

Packaging requirements and instructions for suppliers

UNHCR packaging instructions

Environmentally friendly packaging instructions for suppliers of UNHCR core relief items.

Core relief items label catalogue

Catalogue of label specifications for the packaging of UNHCR core relief items.

Learn more

UNHCR is stepping up our commitment to meet the humanitarian and protection challenges already being amplified by the climate emergency and to mitigate and prepare for those to come.

Learn more about UNHCR’s efforts to reduce our environmental footprint and support displaced people affected by climate change on our Environment, disasters and climate change webpage.

More resources

Improving the sustainability of UNHCR: Core relief items – UNHCR report summary

This report explores the sustainable alternatives to the currently used virgin plastics for UNHCR’s core relief items. It provides insight into the role of plastics in sustainable development, dispels the myth that all plastic is harmful to the environment and forms a rational approach to reducing the GHG emission of UNHCR.

UNHCR waste management concept note

This concept note aims to define and put in place a comprehensive approach to managing the different types of waste UNHCR generates by purchasing and distributing material assistance to assist forcibly displaced people.

Operational Strategy for Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability 2022-2025

This document addresses UNHCR’s plan of action to mitigate the impact of climate change on forcibly displaced people and their hosts, support their resilience and minimize the environmental footprint of humanitarian assistance.

Attachments:

Read a short summary of the strategy

UNHCR greenhouse gas emissions from value chain activities: Approach to Scope 3 emissions calculations

This document outlines the methodology that aims to capture Scope 3 emissions stemming from UNHCR’s activities.

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