Research Article

Sustainability in Development Cooperation: Preliminary Findings on the Carbon Footprint of Development Aid Organizations

  1. Joana Almeida1,*,
  2. Bruno Verbist1,
  3. Wouter M. J. Achten1,
  4. Miet Maertens2,
  5. Bart Muys1,3,*

Article first published online: 22 NOV 2012

DOI: 10.1002/sd.1553

Additional Information

How to Cite

Almeida, J., Verbist, B., Achten, W. M. J., Maertens, M. and Muys, B. (2012), Sustainability in Development Cooperation: Preliminary Findings on the Carbon Footprint of Development Aid Organizations. Sust. Dev.. doi: 10.1002/sd.1553

Author Information

  1. 1

    KU Leuven, Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Leuven, Belgium

  2. 2

    KU Leuven, Division Agricultural and Food Economics, Leuven, Belgium

  3. 3

    European Forest Institute, Mediterranean Regional Office, Sant Pau World Heritage Site, Barcelona, Spain

*Dr. Joana Almeida and Dr Bart Muys, KU Leuven, Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Celestijnenlaan 200 E Box 2411, BE-3001 Leuven, Belgium. E-mails: joana.almeida@ees.kuleuven.be and bart.muys@ees.kuleuven.be

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 22 NOV 2012
  2. Manuscript Accepted: 14 AUG 2012
  3. Manuscript Revised: 23 JUL 2012
  4. Manuscript Received: 20 DEC 2011

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Keywords:

  • Sustainable development;
  • life cycle assessment;
  • climate change;
  • environmental policy;
  • greenhouse gas balance;
  • corporate social responsibility

ABSTRACT

This study assesses for the first time the environmental sustainability of development organizations involved in North–South cooperation by quantifying the carbon footprint as a widely adopted indicator. Our objectives are to (1) analyze the criteria that should be met for correct greenhouse gas accounting of development organizations, (2) gain insight into the emission profile for a limited sample of development organizations from Belgium and Germany, and (3) set forward policy options for more sustainable practices. Carbon footprints are calculated following official guidelines and include available data from different institutions. Mobility of staff is on average responsible for 60% of total annual emissions of the organizations under study, mainly owing to air travel (40%), followed by electricity and heating of offices. These emissions may be partially offset through voluntary carbon market transactions or within development projects themselves. Either approach requires the adoption of high standards of carbon accounting by development organizations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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