HSP Navigation tool | Mapped theme: Environmental considerations

Summary of theme

Everyone has the right to a healthy environment. This underpins health, wellbeing and recovery from crisis. Humanitarian action has both direct and indirect effects on the environment, and vice versa:

“Environmental issues are often underlying and contributing factors to humanitarian crises [while] humanitarian crises can have negative effects on the environment and exacerbate risk and vulnerability if managed inadequately or addressed too late.” (UNEP)

It is therefore essential to consider the environment when designing, planning and implementing humanitarian response in relation to issues including transport, use of natural resources, procurement and choice of materials (for example, when building settlements).

Environmental sustainability in the foundational texts

Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)

Commitment 3

The Environmental concerns guidance note suggests measures to reduce environmental degradation including “reforestation, rainwater harvesting, efficient use of resources and ethical procurement policies and practices”.

Commitment 9:

Key action 9.2 refers to the need to “minimise waste”, while key action 9.4 recommends conducting a rapid environmental impact assessment to support local resource management, and to identify and mitigate risks associated with waste production, resource use and depletion or contamination of the water table.
Organisational responsibility 9.6 centres on having policies and processes that ensure organisations are using and managing their resources in an environmentally responsible way.

References and further reading:

Training toolkit: Integrating the environment into humanitarian action and early recovery. Groupe URD (Urgence Réhabilitation Développement, which translates as Emergency, Rehabilitation and Development) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Environment and Humanitarian Action (factsheet). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UNEP

Summary of environmental considerations across the handbooks

Several of the handbooks and technical chapters systematically include environmental considerations as a cross-cutting issue, while others make limited reference to these or do not cover them at all. Overall, the focus is on environmental risk assessment, but there are some examples of how humanitarian actions can explicitly promote environmental management and sustainability, for example, through cash-for-work schemes.

	The Sphere Shelter and Settlement technical chapter includes a dedicated standard on environmental sustainability.
	Environment and climate is one of four cross-cutting themes in the Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS); one of six cross-cutting issues in the Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS); and one of 13 cross-cutting issues in the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS).
	Various standards in the Minimum Standards for Education (INEE) and Sphere's Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH) and Food Security and Nutrition technical chapters consider the general theme of Environment, while two standards in the Minimum Standards for Camp Management (MSCM) and one standard in Sphere's Health technical chapter refer to it.

	The Sphere Shelter and Settlement technical chapter includes a dedicated standard on environmental sustainability.
	Environment and climate is one of four cross-cutting themes in the Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS); one of six cross-cutting issues in the Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS); and one of 13 cross-cutting issues in the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS).
	Various standards in the Minimum Standards for Education (INEE) and Sphere's Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH) and Food Security and Nutrition technical chapters consider the general theme of Environment, while two standards in the Minimum Standards for Camp Management (MSCM) and one standard in Sphere's Health technical chapter refer to it.

Environmental sustainability in the handbooks: key points and useful tools

The table below starts with the handbooks and technical chapters with the most content on environmental sustainability and continues in descending order.

Handbook	Key reference points	Useful tools
Sphere – Shelter and Settlement	Standard 7: Environmental sustainability The key actions focus on integrating environmental impact assessment and management in all shelter and settlement planning; selecting materials and techniques; managing solid waste; establishing, restoring or promoting safe, reliable and sustainable energy supply systems; and protecting, restoring and improving the ecological value of operational sites. This standard also provides relevant key indicators. The guidance notes go into detail on how to conduct an environmental impact assessment in relation to sourcing materials; site selection; debris management and waste reuse or repurposing; energy; and management of natural resources. They also look at the different considerations for urban as opposed to rural contexts. Other standards Refer to the decommissioning of sites and handover guidance note in Standard 2. See also key action 3 under Standard 3, key action 2 under Standard 4, and key action 5 under Standard 5 which deal with considering environmental impacts when providing household items and choosing technologies and materials.	Appendix 1: Shelter and settlement assessment checklist includes questions on environmental impact.
Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS)	Environment and climate is one of four cross-cutting themes. The handbook highlights how emergency conditions (including climate change) can increase the environmental impact of livestock. Examples include the problem of increased concentrations of livestock around declining water resources leading to localised overgrazing. Each of the thematic chapters includes considerations of environmental impacts: Chapter 4: Destocking; Chapter 5: Veterinary support (where the advice relates to the disposal of dead livestock); Chapter 6: Ensuring feed supplies; Chapter 7: Provision of water; Chapter 8: Livestock shelter and settlement; and Chapter 9: Provision of livestock.	The assessment checklists in the first appendix of each technical chapter (for instance, Appendix 4.1) include questions related to environmental impact assessment.
Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS)	The environment is one of six cross-cutting issues. Guidance note 2: Minimize negative impacts on the environment under Core Standard 4: Do no harm focuses on minimising the negative environmental impacts of proposed recovery interventions, with particular reference to activities that require natural resources for inputs (see Guidance note 6: Disaster risk reduction for key details). Core standard 5: Intervention strategies for target populations are well defined covers environmental impacts under Guidance note 2: Understanding the full context. Enterprise and market systems development Standard 5: Support viability and growth of enterprises and market systems includes the key indicator “Enterprises are encouraged (and given training if required) to operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner”. Asset distribution standard 5: Assets expand and diversify livelihoods includes environmental impact assessment under key actions. Under its key actions, Employment standard 2: Interventions are labor market-based cites environmental considerations relating to the employment sectors chosen.
Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS)	Environmental considerations are framed as a cross-cutting issue to be considered when using the CPMS. The handbook highlights the two-way relationship between the environment and humanitarian programming, and cites the need to conduct environmental risk assessments to minimise any negative environmental impacts of programming. It also highlights that child protection programming can support environmental sustainability through awareness raising and advocacy. Key actions and guidance notes provide examples. For example, under Standard 15: Group activities for child wellbeing, the recommendation is to “[use] locally sourced, recycled and recyclable materials wherever possible”.
Sphere – Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH)	The technical chapter on WASH refers to considering or minimising environmental impacts at various points: Water supply Standard 2.1: Access and water quantity highlights the need to take environmental impacts into account when identifying water sources. Excreta management Standard 3.1: Environment free from human excreta and Standard 3.3: Management and maintenance of excreta collection, transport, disposal and treatment advise undertaking risk assessments in relation to water source contamination, and not placing undue pressure on water supply systems through excreta transport plans. The Standard 3.3 guidance notes describe how excreta could potentially serve as a resource. Vector control standard 4.1: Vector control at settlement level addresses reducing chemical contamination risks from vector control and minimising insecticide use. Solid waste management standard 5.1: Environment free from solid wasteSolid waste management standard 5.1: Environment free from solid waste includes a guidance note on reuse, repurposing and recycling of solid waste, while the Standard 5.2 key actions cover reuse and recycling at household level.	Appendix 1: Water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion initial needs assessment checklist includes questions related to environmental impacts.
Sphere – Food Security and nutrition	Environmental considerations are referred to under various standards: Food security and nutrition assessments standard 1.1: Food security assessment recommends analysing environmental degradation, and explains the relationship between environmental degradation and food insecurity. Food security standard 5: General food security recommends considering the environmental impact of the different fuel options for cooking. Food security standard 6.1: General nutrition requirements covers how food assistance can prevent people from adopting coping mechanisms that damage the environment, while standard 6.2: Food quality, appropriateness and acceptability covers the environmental impacts of packaging. Livelihoods standard 7.1: Primary production and standard 7.2: Income and employment focus on the environmental impacts of livelihoods/income generation interventions. This includes considering the potential for conflict. The Environmental management guidance note under Standard 7.2 explains how cash-for-work initiatives can be used to support environmental management.
Minimum Standards for Education (INEE)	The INEE handbook includes the following references to environmental considerations: It is mentioned in relation to risk analysis. Access and learning environment standard 2: Protection and well-being includes a Disaster risk reduction (DRR) and management guidance note. One of the guidance notes under Teaching and learning standard 1: Curricula advises that DRR should be included in both formal and non-formal curricula.
Minimum Standards for Camp Management	The camp management handbook includes the following references to environmental considerations: Site environment standard 3.2: An appropriate environment includes a key action on minimising negative environmental impact. A key action under Exit and transition standard 5.4: Rehabilitation and decommissioning is to assess, mitigate and monitor any environmental impacts related to the rehabilitation process.
Sphere – Health	Environmental considerations are referred to under Health systems standard 1.3 (Essential medicines and medical devices). The guidance note includes an instruction to “prevent environmental contamination” when safely disposing of expired medicines.	Appendix 1: Health Assessment Checklist – environmental conditions are mentioned under “Data from other relevant sectors”.

HandbookSphere – Shelter and Settlement	Key reference points Standard 7: Environmental sustainability The key actions focus on integrating environmental impact assessment and management in all shelter and settlement planning; selecting materials and techniques; managing solid waste; establishing, restoring or promoting safe, reliable and sustainable energy supply systems; and protecting, restoring and improving the ecological value of operational sites. This standard also provides relevant key indicators. The guidance notes go into detail on how to conduct an environmental impact assessment in relation to sourcing materials; site selection; debris management and waste reuse or repurposing; energy; and management of natural resources. They also look at the different considerations for urban as opposed to rural contexts. Other standards Refer to the decommissioning of sites and handover guidance note in Standard 2. See also key action 3 under Standard 3, key action 2 under Standard 4, and key action 5 under Standard 5 which deal with considering environmental impacts when providing household items and choosing technologies and materials.	Useful tools Appendix 1: Shelter and settlement assessment checklist includes questions on environmental impact.
HandbookLivestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS)	Key reference points Environment and climate is one of four cross-cutting themes. The handbook highlights how emergency conditions (including climate change) can increase the environmental impact of livestock. Examples include the problem of increased concentrations of livestock around declining water resources leading to localised overgrazing. Each of the thematic chapters includes considerations of environmental impacts: Chapter 4: Destocking; Chapter 5: Veterinary support (where the advice relates to the disposal of dead livestock); Chapter 6: Ensuring feed supplies; Chapter 7: Provision of water; Chapter 8: Livestock shelter and settlement; and Chapter 9: Provision of livestock.	Useful tools The assessment checklists in the first appendix of each technical chapter (for instance, Appendix 4.1) include questions related to environmental impact assessment.
HandbookMinimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS)	Key reference points The environment is one of six cross-cutting issues. Guidance note 2: Minimize negative impacts on the environment under Core Standard 4: Do no harm focuses on minimising the negative environmental impacts of proposed recovery interventions, with particular reference to activities that require natural resources for inputs (see Guidance note 6: Disaster risk reduction for key details). Core standard 5: Intervention strategies for target populations are well defined covers environmental impacts under Guidance note 2: Understanding the full context. Enterprise and market systems development Standard 5: Support viability and growth of enterprises and market systems includes the key indicator “Enterprises are encouraged (and given training if required) to operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner”. Asset distribution standard 5: Assets expand and diversify livelihoods includes environmental impact assessment under key actions. Under its key actions, Employment standard 2: Interventions are labor market-based cites environmental considerations relating to the employment sectors chosen.	Useful tools
HandbookMinimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS)	Key reference points Environmental considerations are framed as a cross-cutting issue to be considered when using the CPMS. The handbook highlights the two-way relationship between the environment and humanitarian programming, and cites the need to conduct environmental risk assessments to minimise any negative environmental impacts of programming. It also highlights that child protection programming can support environmental sustainability through awareness raising and advocacy. Key actions and guidance notes provide examples. For example, under Standard 15: Group activities for child wellbeing, the recommendation is to “[use] locally sourced, recycled and recyclable materials wherever possible”.	Useful tools
HandbookSphere – Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH)	Key reference points The technical chapter on WASH refers to considering or minimising environmental impacts at various points: Water supply Standard 2.1: Access and water quantity highlights the need to take environmental impacts into account when identifying water sources. Excreta management Standard 3.1: Environment free from human excreta and Standard 3.3: Management and maintenance of excreta collection, transport, disposal and treatment advise undertaking risk assessments in relation to water source contamination, and not placing undue pressure on water supply systems through excreta transport plans. The Standard 3.3 guidance notes describe how excreta could potentially serve as a resource. Vector control standard 4.1: Vector control at settlement level addresses reducing chemical contamination risks from vector control and minimising insecticide use. Solid waste management standard 5.1: Environment free from solid wasteSolid waste management standard 5.1: Environment free from solid waste includes a guidance note on reuse, repurposing and recycling of solid waste, while the Standard 5.2 key actions cover reuse and recycling at household level.	Useful tools Appendix 1: Water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion initial needs assessment checklist includes questions related to environmental impacts.
HandbookSphere – Food Security and nutrition	Key reference points Environmental considerations are referred to under various standards: Food security and nutrition assessments standard 1.1: Food security assessment recommends analysing environmental degradation, and explains the relationship between environmental degradation and food insecurity. Food security standard 5: General food security recommends considering the environmental impact of the different fuel options for cooking. Food security standard 6.1: General nutrition requirements covers how food assistance can prevent people from adopting coping mechanisms that damage the environment, while standard 6.2: Food quality, appropriateness and acceptability covers the environmental impacts of packaging. Livelihoods standard 7.1: Primary production and standard 7.2: Income and employment focus on the environmental impacts of livelihoods/income generation interventions. This includes considering the potential for conflict. The Environmental management guidance note under Standard 7.2 explains how cash-for-work initiatives can be used to support environmental management.	Useful tools
HandbookMinimum Standards for Education (INEE)	Key reference points The INEE handbook includes the following references to environmental considerations: It is mentioned in relation to risk analysis. Access and learning environment standard 2: Protection and well-being includes a Disaster risk reduction (DRR) and management guidance note. One of the guidance notes under Teaching and learning standard 1: Curricula advises that DRR should be included in both formal and non-formal curricula.	Useful tools
HandbookMinimum Standards for Camp Management	Key reference points The camp management handbook includes the following references to environmental considerations: Site environment standard 3.2: An appropriate environment includes a key action on minimising negative environmental impact. A key action under Exit and transition standard 5.4: Rehabilitation and decommissioning is to assess, mitigate and monitor any environmental impacts related to the rehabilitation process.	Useful tools
HandbookSphere – Health	Key reference pointsEnvironmental considerations are referred to under Health systems standard 1.3 (Essential medicines and medical devices). The guidance note includes an instruction to “prevent environmental contamination” when safely disposing of expired medicines.	Useful tools Appendix 1: Health Assessment Checklist – environmental conditions are mentioned under “Data from other relevant sectors”.

Examples of guidance

The MERS handbook includes an example of weighing up the challenges and benefits of producing charcoal as a livelihoods strategy (from Core Standard 4 guidance notes) and a cautionary tale about ensuring environmental considerations are included in disaster response (from Employment Standard 3 guidance notes).

Mapped theme: Environmental considerations