Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA671
2009-09-30 12:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:  

Embassy Lusaka's Greening Initiative

Tags:  AMGT SENV ZA 
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VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLS #0671 2731205
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301205Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7310
INFO RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0119
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

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