The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has opened its new solar-energy facility at its Jordan headquarters. According to an FAO statement, the launch of the system will improve business continuity and reduce climate impacts for FAO Jordan. It will also decrease energy costs and promote sustainable development in the region.
The event was attended by Muawieh Radaideh, Environment Minister, Amani Al Azzam, Secretary General of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and AbdulHakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Rep for the Near East and North Africa, and Rodrigo de Lapuerta, Director of Logistics Services Division, was also present.
This 13kWp grid-tied solar system is in line with FAO’s Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy 2020-2030. It was installed by the CER team from CSLI, FAO Jordan, and UNDP Green Energy Team. This system will cover about 50% of the office’s electricity needs and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 11 tonnes per year.
Radaideh said, “Today’s celebration goes beyond installing a solar energy system to having supporters to deliver the message that energy efficiency is key.” Azzam appreciated and congratulated FAO Jordan’s commitment to a green future.
Elwaer said, “FAO Jordan is one of the first FAO offices in the region that turned to solar energy to power its operations with the installation of a Solar PV system, in a remarkable effort to curb its carbon footprint.”
FAO’s Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said, “With energy efficiency initiatives that will increase the sustainability of our facilities, FAO Jordan is paving the way towards the 45 per cent greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, as stipulated by the FAO Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy 2020-2030.”
De Lapuerta said, “This system is the product of a lot of hard work and collaboration between the FAO Jordan office and UNDP and FAO teams. The principles that have defined this project, namely teamwork, determination, and a passion for environmental issues, are the foundations that FAO use to walk the talk, and will be the crucial drivers for the attainment of the SDGs, as well as the fight against climate change”.
The strong environmental benefits of switching to renewable energy include reducing CO2 emissions and reducing the carbon footprint. The statement concluded that this supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and promotes green energy solutions. It also inspires local communities to adopt similar solutions.
