Greening the FCO, greening the world

Response to the environmental challenge must be international, therefore the environmental issues have high priority on the Foreign Office's agenda. One of the four policy goals within the FCO's strategy (Better World, Better Britain) is promoting a low carbon, high growth, global economy.

The FCO is working around the world through its global network of embassies and diplomatic posts to achieve the goals set out in its strategy, and is keen on ensuring that it isn't just the policy that is green, but their buildings as well.

Taking forward this initiative, the British Embassy Budapest established a local Green Team in the summer of 2006.

British Embassy Green Team

The original aim for setting up an Embassy Green Team was to introduce selective waste collection at the Embassy. With the help of our Management section this has now been achieved: we have bins to collect paper, PET bottles, glass waste, batteries and electric light sources (used light bulbs and neon light) selectively. We also recycle used printer cartridges and electronic gadgets.

Two important objectives of the Green Team are to promote environmentally friendly initiatives and to raise a general awareness of green ways of working among staff. To this end, we created a green corner on our Intranet and placed signs and posters around the building.

The Embassy Green Team currently involves 8 members.

Some of our achievements

• We have established selective waste collection Embassy-wide and at the Residence.
• We only use recycled paper for printing and copying in our offices.
• We set up a Green Corner on the Embassy Intranet with up to date information on our work and with tips on how to use less energy and recycle waste more effectively at work as well as at home.
• We have a bicycle rack set up for staff and guests arriving on bicycles at the Embassy.
• We placed Defra's (UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) posters around the Embassy reminding people to reduce their carbon footprint and to save energy where possible.
• We developed a freely available CO2 calculator for events in co-operation with Energia Klub.
• We encourage colleagues to use environmentally friendly promotional materials for their events.
• We send out most of our invitations and greeting cards electronically. 

The Embassy Green Team was one of the few Posts around the world to be nominated for the FCO's Green Award in 2009.

Greening the Queen's Birthday Party

The Queen's Birthday Party (QBP) is organised each year at the Residence. This year's event will be marked by a green theme.

Staff at the Embassy and the Residence employ climate friendly measures in the organisation.

The Climate Office team will be present at the QBP providing CO2 footprint measurement for interested guests. In the background of the carbon footprint measurement station the Climate Office and the Embassy Green Team will take turns to pedal a bicycle, generating electricity for a panel of lamps which will light up letters to spell out "We do care".

Guests will also will receive a gift on leaving - a bag made from recycled paper, containing a pack of natural soil and flower seeds to plant - demonstrating that the Embassy and the Residence do care for the environment and encourage individuals to act the same way.

Green venue

The Embassy places great emphasis on minimising the carbon footprint of events held in its historic Old Banking Hall. For the events held here:

• we use the Embassy's Event CO2 Calculator to help calculate the carbon cost of any function and make climate friendly choices throughout the whole organisational process;
• where possible, we use catering companies with a proven green policy and practice;
• we use energy saving lighting, recycled paper and green cleaning products;
• all waste generated is collected and treated separately;
• guests and colleagues arriving on bicycles can use the Embassy's bicycle rack.