UNHCR wins AidEx Sustainable Initiative of the Year Award for innovative Green Financing Facility

GENEVA - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has won the AidEx Sustainable Initiative of the Year Award for its pioneering Green Financing Facility (GFF), a model that is helping to transform how humanitarian operations are powered, financed and sustained.

Through the Green Financing Facility, UNHCR is transitioning its global offices from diesel-reliant, high-emission energy systems to clean, efficient and financially sustainable solar power solutions. By the end of 2025, 30 UNHCR offices will be powered by solar, with over 2 megawatts of solar panels installed, and 0.7 million litres of diesel avoided, reducing 2,300 tons of CO₂ emissions. This is equivalent to approximately $1 million in offset energy costs. In 2026, UNHCR plans to solarize more offices in line with the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.

"This award highlights UNHCR's commitment to combining innovation with strong partnerships to achieve tangible impact," said Kelly T. Clements, UNHCR's Deputy High Commissioner. "Through the Green Financing Facility, we are reducing emissions, lowering energy costs and ensuring that every donor contribution delivers both environmental and financial benefits for the people we serve."

The Green Financing Facility has been developed with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the IKEA Foundation. This innovative model transforms how investments in energy are used. Instead of multiple capital-heavy procurement processes, the pooled donor funds can be deployed across multiple sites through a centrally managed leasing facility. The result is more solar systems delivered for the same level of funding, with enhanced oversight, accountability and sustainability.

By combining financial innovation, climate action and partnership, the initiative sets a new standard for sustainable humanitarian operations and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 7 (Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

UNHCR thanks its donor partners, collaborators and dedicated staff whose vision and support make this impact possible.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

• In Geneva: Eujin Byun, [email protected], +41 79 747 8719