Mainstreaming the environment within humanitarian operations: Identifying key factors for effective implementation of a green approach to procurement within the International Federation of the Red Cross

Abstract: Each year millions of people receive emergency relief items from humanitarian organizations following disasters and crises. While significant time and resources have been invested in identifying the needs of affected populations and how to address those needs, significantly less focus has been given to environmental impacts of these response operations. These impacts can result in substantial negative outcomes, causing harm to the same populations humanitarian organizations are attempting to serve. In response, humanitarian organizations have developed environmental mainstreaming approaches to mitigate these unintended impacts. However, academic literature has given little focus to environmental impacts of humanitarian operations or their prevention. While there are several entry points to investigating these environmental impacts and possible interventions, this thesis examines procurement of emergency relief items, with a specific purpose of exploring implementation of a green approach to procurement. These research aims were pursued through a case study of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), and relied on collection and analysis of literature and expert interviews with Red Cross procurement practitioners and private-sector suppliers. Results indicate several key factors considered by these experts as needed for implementation of a green approach to procurement. Findings include several implications for realizing organizational and operational change; and additionally identify potential roles a supplier can play in a move toward green procurement. While practical implications are directed toward implementation of an environmental mainstreaming approach within the IFRC, findings identify some overlap with existing studies, which could indicate relevance within a greater humanitarian context.