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As we approach the end of 2022, we took a moment to look back at what the 22-member Joint Initiative has achieved this year. We saw greater recognition of the sustainable packaging imperative, as well as more wide-ranging environmental action affecting the humanitarian sector. Examples include the European Union’s DG ECHO minimum environmental requirements and recommendations and USAID’s new Climate Strategy, both of which open new avenues for improved sustainable packaging practices.
The “Special Objective to Do Our Part” in USAID’s Climate Strategy sets out a commitment to strengthen operations and approaches to programming to address climate change and climate justice within USAID and its partner organizations. Inspired by the Joint Initiative, the Special Objective includes humanitarian supply chains and carbon-conscious procurement, signaling a major policy shift from the previous strategy.
In addition, new packaging waste working groups, the Logistics Cluster-led WREC Project for Environmental Sustainability, and initiatives on green procurement and reverse logistics, with which the Joint Initiative collaborates closely, are taking strides towards more sustainable packaging waste management. The Joint Initiative’s own work reflects the progress made by our partners. 2022 was a year of progress and achievements. Yet, the road ahead is still long.
We have exciting plans for 2023:
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We will continue to share information and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among humanitarian actors through Packaging Matters, our webinar series.
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Our case studies will continue to highlight good packaging practices to spur action towards meeting the objectives of the Climate and Environment Humanitarian Charter.
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We will provide tools and resources enabling humanitarian organizations to make better informed packaging decisions and adopt better packaging practices.
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We will publish new resources, including a donor landscape analysis, mappings of recycling infrastructure in countries where humanitarian operations take place, and guidance on repurposing packaging waste and on alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. We will also continue to fine-tune NEAT+.
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Our work will also take a closer look at critical issues for the sector, such as climate equity and the localization agenda, from a packaging waste lens, taking into account the experiences of local communities and organizations.
We leave you with 12 highlights from the Joint Initiative’s work in 2022—and our best wishes for the holiday season. We look forward to our continued collaboration in 2023!
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