In late 2020, the highest-ranking MSF bodies – including the International Board – signed The Environmental Pact. The pact is a recognition of the environmental impact of our humanitarian duties – which is still essential to carrying out our work – yet is also a commitment to adapt our activities to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. In 2021, we decided to reduce our emissions by at least 50 per cent compared to 2019 levels by 2030. Measures to achieve this are now incorporated in all main MSF entities’ strategic or action plans.

We are working to ensure an efficient and socially responsible supply chain, in order to reduce, reuse and recycle medical materials and equipment. For example, in Uganda, we have a project that aims to replace the millions of plastic bags we use each year to distribute medicines, with ecologically sustainable bags using local resources made by local communities. We are also reducing medical waste in our hospitals and clinics, including exploring options to move away from single-use products where appropriate.

We are developing new energy solutions, such as using solar panels to power some of our medical activities, showing that a shift to environmentally responsible practices is possible even in low resource settings. In Kenema, Sierra Leone, we are powering a 182-bed hospital with solar panels, providing energy to an inpatient unit, laboratory, imaging suite, blood bank, emergency room, and a maternity ward. Not only is this reducing our carbon emissions, but we are also saving approximately €40,000 on diesel per year. We also support three solar-powered hospitals in remote areas of Democratic Republic of Congo.

We are reducing our international travel by air, for example attending meetings or workshops virtually rather than in person. We are also sourcing medical supplies closer to the places where we work. These changes have also accelerated because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international freight and personnel travel.