Page 9 - Coespu 2018-4

combining wind and solar energy to provide a back-up for basic energy requirements; and use of
a 3D printer to recycle plastic waste by creating objects such as spare parts. If these initiatives
can be successfully deployed in a Mission facing significant security threats and challenging
operational conditions, we see no reason why they cannot be introduced more broadly in
missions.
Our efforts in
leaving behind a
positive legacy
are also bearing
fruit. For
instance, we
took several
measures to
restore the
environment of
our camp-sites
to its original
state in Côte
d’Ivoire and
Liberia, where
we closed our
peacekeeping operations over the past two years. In Côte d’Ivoire, more than 1,000 tons of soil
was remediated by treating it with natural ingredients, and a waste disposal site in the country’s
third largest city, Daloa, was improved to benefit the local community.
All these positive steps are taken in line with the principle of our responsible presence at heart.
“Do no harm” must include both communities and the resources upon which they depend: water,
land, and cultural heritage. But there are also strong operational reasons for improving our
performance: reducing our footprint and energy consumption will save time and resources for
our missions so that these can be redirected to the efficient implementation of their core mandate.
And through this work, we contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goals wherever our
missions are deployed.

Written by:
Lara Larsen
& the staff of the “Environment Section
Department of Operational Support, UN”

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