Reduction of Environmental Impact in Humanitarian Actions, as per Jenny Archibald of the Norwegian Refugee Council
Reducing Fleet Emissions in the Humanitarian Sector: A Framework for Change
At the Global Fleet Summit Virtual Experience, Jenny Archibald, the global lead for reducing environmental footprint at the Norwegian Refugee Council, presented a three-step approach to reduce fleet emissions within the humanitarian sector. This framework, known as "Avoid-Shift-Improve," offers a practical and cost-efficient solution to minimizing environmental impacts while maintaining operational effectiveness.
The first step, "Avoid," encourages organizations to reduce unnecessary fleet use by cutting down on travel, optimizing routes, and streamlining operations. The goal is to limit the demand for transportation where possible, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
The second step, "Shift," involves transitioning to lower-emission transport modes. This could mean switching from larger vehicles to more fuel-efficient or alternative-energy vehicles. The aim is to change the type of vehicle or mode to cleaner options, reducing the overall carbon footprint.
The final step, "Improve," focuses on enhancing the efficiency of existing vehicles. This can be achieved through regular maintenance, fuel efficiency improvements, and the use of renewable energy sources. The goal is to make the vehicles already in use more environmentally friendly.
Archibald emphasizes that this framework-based strategy can be tailored to specific contexts within the sector, providing a manual of solutions to prioritize emissions reduction effectively.
In addition to Archibald's presentation, other questions were raised during the Summit. For instance, Marc Sibbald, IPWEA, inquired about the anticipation of specific and more flexible fleet funding methods like subscription, novated lease, or private lease. Ikhwan Rosli, BP, asked about the efficiency of an international fleet approach compared to a local one, while Ted Chan, Schindler, questioned the viability of flexible pricing as a solution for fleet.
Archibald's insights offer a comprehensive roadmap for humanitarian organizations to mitigate their environmental impact, and these strategies can also be applied by corporate organizations. For example, Archibald cites a successful carpooling project in Lebanon by Fleet Forum as an example of substantial potential for emission reduction on a larger scale.
Moreover, the Norwegian Refugee Council's approach illustrates the significance of data collection, analysis, and embedding emissions reduction into the organizational culture. This enables teams to identify opportunities for reducing emissions and act upon them effectively.
The 'Improve' step in the 'Avoid-Shift-Improve' approach highlights the importance of data in decision-making processes. Consistent data collection, meaningful analysis, and a culture that incorporates emissions reduction are crucial for effective reduction strategies.
Yves Helven has asked about the fit of biofuels and e-fuels for fleets, while Almy Magalhaes, Ecolab, has asked about the benefits of AI and ML for commercial fleets. Steven Schoefs has asked about achieving a sustainable fleet wherever EV is not an option.
Through a concerted effort in adopting these strategies, organizations can align their operations with environmentally conscious practices, contributing to a more sustainable future. For instance, carpooling is a significant opportunity for reducing emissions, both internally and externally between organizations.
Carlos Roberto Guemez Shedden, UNHCR, has asked about how data tracking can support in reducing road crashes in countries with a low road safety culture. The Summit Virtual Experience was realized in collaboration with Fleet Forum.
In conclusion, the "Avoid-Shift-Improve" approach offers a practical and effective solution for reducing fleet emissions within the humanitarian sector. By adopting this framework, organizations can take significant strides towards a more sustainable future.
- The humanitarian sector's fleet emissions can be reduced through the implementation of a three-step framework known as "Avoid-Shift-Improve," as presented by Jenny Archibald at the Global Fleet Summit Virtual Experience.
- The first step, "Avoid," encourages organizations to limit travel, optimize routes, and streamline operations to reduce unnecessary fleet use and, thus, carbon emissions.
- The second step, "Shift," involves transitioning to lower-emission transport modes, such as fuel-efficient or alternative energy vehicles, to change the type of vehicle or mode to cleaner options.
- The third step, "Improve," focuses on enhancing the efficiency of existing vehicles through regular maintenance, fuel efficiency improvements, and the use of renewable energy sources.
- Archibald's presented strategies can be tailored to various sectors, including corporate organizations, as demonstrated by the success of a carpooling project in Lebanon by Fleet Forum.
- Data collection, analysis, and embedding emissions reduction into the organizational culture are crucial for identifying opportunities and effectively implementing reduction strategies, as demonstrated by the Norwegian Refugee Council's approach.
