DRC launches its first global decarbonization roadmap

Executive summary

By committing to halve its emissions by 2030, DRC aims to ensure its own operations do not worsen environmental degradation or contribute to the displacement of people of concern. The roadmap provides overall clear actions to lower emissions through renewable energy, responsible procurement, sustainable transport, and improved waste management, ensuring that humanitarian assistance supports, rather than harms, communities facing climate risks.

A sector defining moment for humanitarian climate action

Building on DRC’s endorsement of the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations, the Global Decarbonization Roadmap charts a structured path for reducing the organisation’s global carbon footprint. This roadmap is part of DRC’s wider “Go Green” initiative and brings together, for the first time, all of DRC’s climate mitigation efforts into one strategic coordinated framework.

Based on a comprehensive global carbon footprint for 2023, the roadmap identifies emissions hotspots across procurement, energy use, fleet, commuting, business travel, and freight. With 89% of emissions falling under Scope 3, the strategy places strong emphasis on sustainable procurement, circularity, renewable energy, and improved data systems.

This global initiative strengthens DRC’s contribution to the growing recognition that climate action is an essential part of humanitarian response. By reducing emissions and resource use where DRC works, the roadmap directly contributes to protecting people affected by displacement and preventing further climate-induced vulnerabilities.

Turning ambition into action: a roadmap built for every country operation

The roadmap sets the overall target of 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and guides every DRC country operation to develop a localized version adapted to its context. It translates climate commitments into concrete operational measures, including:

• Transitioning to renewable energy
• Improving fleet efficiency and mobility systems
• Strengthening sustainable procurement
• Reducing waste and enhancing circularity
• Expanding low-carbon travel and commuting solutions

Alongside carbon reduction, the roadmap highlights key co-benefits: cost savings, reduced pollution, better supply chain resilience, and improved working conditions for staff.

Collaboration, innovation, and sector-wide influence

DRC’s decarbonization efforts build on strong partnerships such as the WREC coalition, Fleet Forum, CHORD, and others, which support the development of green procurement tools, clean fleet frameworks, and circularity approaches. These collaborations are essential to scaling solutions and accelerating sustainable practices across the humanitarian sector.

The publication of the Global Roadmap sends a clear signal: climate change mitigation is not optional, it is essential to protecting people, safeguarding resources, and ensuring future ready humanitarian operations.

A blueprint for a more sustainable humanitarian future

Through this roadmap, DRC demonstrates that meaningful emissions reductions are both achievable and critical to humanitarian impact. By aligning operations with the do no harm principle and addressing the environmental drivers of displacement, DRC strengthens its responsibility toward the people it serves.

Explore how DRC is operationalizing climate responsibility across the world.