Embassy Lusaka's Greening Initiative

UNCLAS LUSAKA 000671 SIPDIS DEPT FOR CHRIS KARBER;JENNIFER WICKS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT SENV ZA SUBJECT: Embassy Lusaka's Greening Initiative REF: STATE 089930 ¶1. Embassy Lusaka formed its Green Team in June 2009 in order to explore ideas for reducing its environmental impact on Zambia's fragile environment. USDH and LES volunteers have met twice to discuss a myriad of ideas for how to "green" Embassy operations. The team members then divide up the tasks to explore feasibility before presenting well researched solutions to our management team for possible implementation. ¶2. As a result of Green Team initiatives, Embassy Lusaka has: -Signed the Statement of Principles to become the first Africa Bureau embassy in the League of Green Embassies. -Drafted articles for the Embassy newsletter on the Green Team and included tips for saving energy, water, paper and fuel at home and office. -Used end-of-year money to purchase recycling collection bins as well as solar water heaters as the primary water heating source at all State program and ICASS housing. -Found an organization in Lusaka that recycles used motor oil into other useful chemical compounds. -Circulated residential utility bill data so each USDH resident can benchmark utility usage for the purpose of tracking reductions. -Distributes an embassy-wide "Green Tip of the Week" to all Embassy employees. -Changed the default font on Embassy computers to "ecofont" (at www.ecofont.eu) which uses 20 percent less ink in printing materials. ¶3. Embassy Lusaka is in the process of implementing the following initiatives: -Using locally produced biodiesel (from used cooking oil) in Embassy generators and vehicles. -Collecting recyclable cardboard, paper, and shredded paper and delivering it to a local charity that uses the paper to make paper mache chairs for disabled children. -Determining the feasibility/costs of home collection and transporting plastics and cans to one of the three recycling companies the Green Team has found in Lusaka. -Phasing out plastic disposal carrier bags at the Embassy commissary. -Establishing system for "Green Procurement." -Determining the feasibility of grey water recycling at embassy homes for use in gardening during the six-month dry season. -Establishing a Jolly Green Giant Award to recognize someone at each awards ceremony who has done an especially good job of lowering their environmental impact in Lusaka. -Working with local journalists to get local press coverage of Embassy Lusaka's leadership on green initiatives. ¶4. Embassy Lusaka's Green Team looks forward to completing all of these initiatives as well as many others. ¶5. Green Team POC is Pol/Econ Chief Pam Tremont, tremontpm@state.gov. KOPLOVSKY