In line with the global strategy for a climate neutral United Nations and in echo to UNFPA Executive Director’s pledge to make the fund more environmentally sustainable, UNFPA Lebanon recently launched its own internal Going Green newsletter. This initiative constitutes a “a first among the country offices” as stated by UNFPA’s Green team colleague in New York.
Every Monday morning, Lebanon country office’s staff receive their weekly Greenacting issue. This one page e-newsletter contains several categories, ranging from Green Tips, features about awareness campaigns on the Net and statistical information on how climate change affects Lebanon.
Greenacting aims at making readers relate and identify with the issue by bringing country-specific content. It also provides practical and easy-to-implement alternative behaviors.
As one staff member puts it: “Greenacting is just perfect: not too long… nor too short. It is diversified, very informative, straight to the point and easy to read for someone who is not very much environmentally friendly. In few words, Greenacting is engaging, eye-opener and simply put.’ In another colleague’s opinion, Greenacting ‘highlights the importance of sticking to some tips which we usually take for granted in a short, concise, yet scientific way’.
In parallel, UNFPA Lebanon initiated an employee of the month/year election process with “environmental performance" as one of the four evaluation criteria, hence adding a playful incentive for staff to integrate sustainability in their day-to-day activities.
This initiative engages colleagues in the green cause and fosters awareness for more climate-conscious attitudes at the office and at home. As a result, Greenacting started spreading out of the office as some colleagues are sharing it with their family: “I am sharing it with my kids who liked to transform the cereal boxes into filing boxes!!”
UNFPA Lebanon future green plans? Perhaps sharing Greenacting with implementing partners, the Y-PEER network and why not the UNCT!
