SUSTAINABILITY
Together with partners, we make shelters more resilient, sustainable, and adaptable, improving indoor climate, durability, and recyclability.
The SDGs in practice
We are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals framework, and as a member of the United Nations Global Compact, we report on our current activities, which help us align our strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.
We believe progress means meeting human needs without exceeding the planet’s limits. Guided by Doughnut Economics, we aim to deliver essential shelter to displaced communities while minimising environmental impact, recognising that social and environmental well-being are deeply connected.
Develop shelters that are safe for people and the environment. Invest in R&D to reuse and recycle shelter materials in the safest possible ways.
Conduct R&D to identify alternatives to plastics. Strengthen knowledge exchange with partners and donors. Improve the shelters’ environmental performance through continuous monitoring and evaluation.
Extending our shelters’ lifespan through incremental improvements and exploring alternative materials through ongoing R&D.
Develop comprehensive information for partners on materials, reuse, repurposing, and recycling. Create simple, visual Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for the people living in our shelter units.
Design shelters that protect people and have a minimal environmental impact. Ensure all packaging is recyclable or reusable by 2030, with a 5% reduction target. Cut plastic waste and lower fossil fuel use in production.
Map and evaluate the capabilities of recycling facilities to handle plastics near humanitarian settings. Develop decommissioning guidelines for current shelter units.
Strengthen private sector partnerships to co-create durable and alternative technical solutions and tools. Compile best practices on waste management and develop key messages and Q&A packs for partners.
Waste management
When a shelter reaches the end of its useful life, leaving it behind isn’t an option. We follow and recommend the humanitarian sector’s best practices to ensure it’s handled responsibly. We are developing an End-of-Life decision tree to support teams decommissioning Better Shelter units, helping them choose appropriate waste management solutions and collaborate effectively. In parallel, we are preparing Decommissioning Guidelines—learn more here.
Measuring our CO2 footprint
Most of our climate impact comes from the materials in our shelters. These Scope 3 emissions occur across our supply chain—harder to measure, but vital to reduce.
We track and cut these emissions with supplier data, life cycle assessments, and transparent methods. By updating our analyses of the Relief Housing Unit and the Structure, and using a “Cradle to Gate” approach, we make smarter choices about materials, building methods, and partners, while meeting urgent humanitarian needs.
Reducing energy consumption
Reducing energy use is a key focus. Since most emissions come from manufacturing, our choices matter most here: using lower-carbon materials like bio-based or circular options, and partnering with factories that invest in efficiency.
Some energy use is unavoidable, especially in crisis deliveries. But wherever possible, we support suppliers shifting to renewable energy and seek partners who lead the way toward a more sustainable future.
Projects and news
Testing a new shelter portfolio in Morocco
As displacement grows and becomes more complex, shelter should also adapt…
The 3 horizons methodology
Building on our commitment to environmental sustainability, we have conducted a…
ASSESSING OUR SHELTERS’ END OF LIFE
In 2024, an independent consultant provided guidance on managing and considering…