Greening Moonshot Initiative

The Greening Moonshot Initiative is UNDP’s commitment to reduce its corporate carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2030. In order to achieve this goal, the organization is shifting to resources-efficient, resilient and future-fit operations utilizing energy efficiency, renewable energy and low-carbon mobility.

Greening operations are an essential and strategic investment in resilience, efficiency and accountable development. Through continuous carbon monitoring in over 170 offices reporting on energy use, travel and waste, UNDP is institutionalizing climate-smart operations and empowering staff to take ownership of climate action. These data insights help guide strategic, resource-efficient investments that deliver fast, cost-effective results.

To date, UNDP has implemented over 180 green energy and e-mobility projects throughout its offices worldwide, delivering practical, cost-effective solutions while building resilience and generating significant savings. Thanks to these projects, nearly 3,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions are avoided annually, equivalent to planting over 50,000 trees. Moreover, every US$1 invested in green energy in UNDP offices delivers US$1.79 in energy savings.

Furthermore, at a time when global attention and resources are increasingly directed toward security challenges, investments in climate action risk being sidelined. At UNDP, greening operations are a priority not despite other crises but because of them, especially in the most fragile contexts:

In Afghanistan, solar capacity has grown from 50 kW in 2018 to 370+ kW, now powering nearly half of UNDP facilities.
In Sri Lanka, UNDP offices are now equipped with 531 solar panels, powering operations and electric vehicles. These solar panels have helped keep humanitarian efforts running during the 2022 power crisis.
Amid blackouts, UNDP Haiti now runs two-thirds of its office on renewable energy, ensuring operational continuity.
In conflict-affected Syria, solar panels at the Damascus office ensure continued service delivery despite daily outages.
In Benin, replacing diesel generators with clean power cut emissions and created a healthier, safer and more productive work environment.
UNDP Ukraine’s solar grid cuts emissions and reinforces green recovery.

Corporate climate action is essential for long-term resilience. The Greening Moonshot demonstrates that climate action not only survives in the face of adversity but thrives cost-effectively, regardless of setting or scale.