ECHO supports joint UNHCR, WREC Coalition, and CAA project to advance environmental sustainability in humanitarian supply chains

BUDAPEST – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster (LTC)-led Waste Management and Measuring, Reverse Logistics, Environmentally Sustainable Procurement and Transport, and Circular Economy Coalition (WREC Coalition), and the Climate Action Accelerator (the Accelerator) have launched a new project funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) to support the humanitarian community to reduce the environmental impact of humanitarian supply chains, helping aid organizations cut waste and use resources more efficiently across their operations.

The project builds on collaboration through the Humanitarian Leadership Group on Supply Chain (HLGSC), a DG ECHO-driven initiative, launched in 2024, to foster coordinated action among key humanitarian actors and strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian supply chain.

UNHCR, the Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster-led WREC Coalition, and the Accelerator were selected as co-leads of the HLGSC Environmental Sustainability Thematic Working Group (ES TWG) reflecting their long-standing collaboration and contributions to advancing environmental sustainability across humanitarian supply chains.

Through this joint initiative, the three partners and ECHO, will bring together their complementary expertise and networks to strengthen sector-wide collaboration, promote greater alignment, and accelerate collective action toward more environmentally sustainable humanitarian supply chains.

“As a member of the LTC-led WREC Coalition, UNHCR values the opportunity to work alongside Coalition members and the Climate Action Accelerator within the broader HLGSC framework. Through the Environmental Sustainability Thematic Working Group, this partnership can support coordination, bring together the knowledge and experience already present across the humanitarian community, and facilitate the development of practical approaches that respond to shared environmental sustainability priorities across humanitarian supply chains.” Benjamin Safari, Head of UNHCR Supply Management Service

Thanks to ECHO’s support, UNHCR, the LTC-led WREC Coalition and the Accelerator will continue to work in close partnership with participating humanitarian organizations to implement concrete actions and deliver the project objectives. This initiative will strengthen collaboration and promote environmental sustainability considerations throughout the humanitarian supply chain life cycle, including carbon emissions measurement, life cycle assessment, procurement, reverse logistics and waste management.

“As humanitarian needs grow, stronger collaboration and resource-sharing are key to more efficient supply chains. Over 60 humanitarian organisations have endorsed a concrete action plan recognising this need. Together with our partners, we aim to improve environmental sustainability, procurement, digitalisation, preparedness and localisation, so that aid can reach people affected by crises when and where they need it most.” Leonor Nieto, Head of the Humanitarian Emergency Response Capabilities Unit, DG ECHO, European Commission.

ECHO’s support provides an important contribution to advancing more efficient and environmentally sustainable supply chains across the humanitarian sector. Through the joint work of UNHCR, the LTC-led WREC Coalition and the Accelerator, and in collaboration with the wider HLGSC community, the project will support humanitarian organizations in translating commitments into practical approaches.

For more information, please contact:

• Valeria Dell’Aquila
  Associate Supply Officer – Environmental Sustainability
  UNHCR, Supply Management Service
  Budapest, Hungary
  +36 30 171 63 01
  [email protected]
  
• Sonja Schmid
  Head, Climate Solutions & Analytics
  The Climate Action Accelerator
  Geneva Switzerland
  +33 7 85 23 47 73
  [email protected]
  
• Leighla Bowers
  Communications Officer
  Logistics & Telecommunications Cluster
  Rome, Italy
  [email protected]

Visit below websites to learn more:

UNHCR Sustainable Supply Initiatives

WREC Coalition

Climate Action Accelerator