Environmental sustainability initiatives at the Foreign Ministry
Environmental protection through waste reduction and the promotion of virtuous and sustainability-inspired behaviours fully affects the choices and transformation processes of the Public Administration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation launched this initiative over twenty years ago and intends to continually expand and strengthen its action to promote higher environmental standards both at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters and in the diplomatic-consular network, according to a detailed “Action Plan.”
Areas of intervention at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters
Photovoltaic system
A photovoltaic solar system is installed on the roof of the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters. Since its entry into service 13 years ago, over 380,000 MWh have been produced to date (2025), saving approximately 85,000 litres of oil and 195,000 kilograms of “carbon dioxide equivalent” emissions, which would have been necessary to offset with over 31,400 trees. An upgrade of the current system is planned for 2026, with the installation of much more efficient, next-generation photovoltaic panels, which will enable to double the energy production from the same surface area.
Reducing Plastic Consumption at the Foreign Ministry
With a view to reducing the consumption of single-use plastic by the 2,000 employees and people who visit the Foreign Ministry on average each day, drinking water dispensers have been installed on all floors of the building. To round out the initiative, free recycled aluminium water bottles have been distributed for free to the staff, replacing plastic cups, thanks to a partnership with CiAl (Aluminium Packaging Consortium). The project was granted an award during the PA Forum, as part of the “Sustainable PA 2019” award. The Foreign Ministry’s “plastic-free” initiative has been identified by other Public Administrations as a best practice to replicate within their own organizations.
Thanks to the sustainable practices already implemented at the Foreign Minister’s canteen, nearly 8 tons of plastic and over 2 tons of aluminium have been saved annually. This has avoided the consumption, required for plastic production, of approximately 87,100 litres of water and approximately 11,700 kilograms of CO2. The aluminium savings have led to an “environmental gain” of 39,200 litres of water and 11,300 kilograms of CO2, with the aim of progressively increasing these levels.
Energy Savings in IT Activities
“Quid noctis” is the name of the Foreign Ministry’s project that ensures energy saving of approximately €130,000 per year, thanks solely to the centralized management of the shutdown modes for the Ministry’s PCs. Approximately 3,200 workstations are currently involved, and they have been intelligently programmed to reduce consumption to zero during non-use hours. Power management rules apply both during working hours and at night, according to methods designed to maximize energy saving.
Lighting System Upgrades
The action focused on three key areas: replacing light bulbs, rescheduling lighting hours in common areas, and installing motion detectors to avoid waste.
Lamps – In recent years, energy-efficient lightbulbs have been gradually installed in the main areas of the Foreign Ministry. A tender is currently underway for the complete replacement of the lighting systems in all rooms of the building (over 1,700), with the installation of low-energy LEDs. These interventions will significantly reduce electricity consumption and the associated costs. For example, based on a survey of the lighting at the Ministry’s main entrance alone, annual consumption has been reduced by approximately 75%, from 31,000 to 8,000 kWh, resulting in annual savings of over €15,000.
Rescheduling of lighting hours – For a decade now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been pursuing a gradual rescheduling of the on and off cycles of the lighting systems in common areas. This new energy regime has resulted in significant electricity saving.
Installation of presence detectors – The installation of motion detectors in the Ministry’s service areas has been completed, thus eliminating waste during both day and night.
Furthermore, photovoltaic solar panels have been installed on the Foreign Ministry’s roof.
Separate waste collection
At the Ministry’s headquarters, separate waste collection for paper, plastic, and other materials is made. Separate waste collection is gradually being adopted by the Ministry’s Missions abroad, albeit at different times depending on the characteristics of the countries of accreditation.
Within the Ministry’s canteen all waste from production is classified by waste type and sent to the Municipal waste sorting and recycling system. Special treatment is envisaged for the disposal of used cooking oils, which are treated with the assistance of specialized companies and using a different method, as they are classified as special waste.
Eco-friendly canteen
The current agreement with the company that manages the canteen service stipulates that 20-30% of purchases be made locally, thus prioritizing locally sourced products. The installation of beverage dispensers and the introduction of a ban on disposable tableware have significantly reduced plastic use: recyclable cups, earthenware, and metal cutlery are now used instead of PVC bottles, disposable plates, and cutlery.
Refrigeration units have been replaced with new-generation models using HFC refrigerant gas, which is chlorine-free, in compliance with international environmental standards for the reduction of the main substances that may have a negative impact in terms of greenhouse effect. The commitment of the company managing the canteen service to using low-impact vehicles for food transport contributes to reducing air pollution.
Sustainable Mobility Initiatives
Since 2019 the Foreign Ministry has been organizing “Sustainable Mobility Days.” During these events, dedicated to staff and external guests, the Ministry’s initiatives to promote sustainable mobility are presented, through the implementation of actions that encourage staff to use integrated mobility systems to reach their workplace. Specifically, the “Bike-bike to work” project has been launched, through which the Ministry has provided staff who intend to use the integrated “public transport-bicycle” mode of transportation with a changing room where they can change upon arrival before heading to their offices. A new bicycle rack has also been made available to staff, adding to those already present in the forecourt in front of the Ministry.
The “Bike-bike to work” project – which was granted an award during the 2019 PA Forum, in the “2019 Sustainable PA” section – has been identified by other Public Administrations as a best practice to be taken as an example.
To encourage the use of eco-sustainable forms of mobility, many agreements have been signed for the Foreign Ministry’s staff with electric car-sharing, bike-sharing, and e-scooter providers in the city. Furthermore, in early 2022, an agreement was signed with a distributor that provides an electric car charging service through vans that easily reach the vehicle to be refuelled.
A second mobility day was held in July 2022, with the inauguration of new electric charging stations for service cars and the presentation of the aforementioned mobile charging service for all staff.
The Ministry’s Mobility Manager participates in the mobility roundtable organized by the Municipality of Rome with the aim of knowing and analysing the needs and ideas of Rome’s public and private entities to adapt the public transport system to the needs of staff and improve the system of cycle paths that may be used to reach the Ministry.
Replacement of the vehicle fleet with low-consumption models
In addition to measures to rationalize the use of service cars, the vehicles in service have been progressively replaced with more energy-efficient models, particularly low-engine hybrid vehicles.
Furthermore, a charging station for the Carabinieri electric car has been installed in the Ministry’s internal parking lot.
Eco-friendly supplies
The Foreign Ministry has long focused its purchases of capital goods on products certified by “EMAS” (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), which provides greater guarantees of environmental sustainability in the production process. This certification is also required for the canteen to ensure the highest environmental standards in service management.
Disposal of old computers
In accordance with current legislation on the management of State-owned movable property, the Ministry favours an approach aimed at allowing the reuse of old computers for other public utility activities, as well as greater environmental protection and more effective management of public resources. It opts for mere disposal only as a residual measure and when strictly necessary.
In particular, the PCs that are still functioning but no longer usable for the operational needs of the Central Administration and its foreign network – after the publication of a specific Public Notice and the evaluation of the requests received – are granted free of charge to public or public utility organizations and associations (Italian Red Cross; Civil Protection’s volunteer organizations entered into the appropriate registers operating in Italy and abroad for humanitarian purposes; educational institutions; other Public Administrations and public bodies; non-profit organizations, and other organizations and associations whose activities are of public utility nature.
Good Habits (GH)
This initiative has been launched to encourage virtuous and responsible behaviours in water and energy consumption and health. Specifically, the aim is to promote the habit of taking the stairs: a small gesture which, if repeated daily, can significantly improve our lifestyle.
The campaign leverages a new signage system in key locations within the building (elevators, main routes to the canteen, stairwells, etc.), which conveys, in a simple and direct way, messages and “keywords” to encourage physical exercise. In view of encouraging the use of stairs, historical photos of the most evocative corners of the Foreign Ministry have also been put up: a virtual walk through the building’s history.
The Forum of Green Embassies (FOAV)
The initiatives carried out within the framework of Farnesina Verde are complemented by the Foreign Ministry’s commitment to animating the Forum of Green Embassies, a group that brings together accredited foreign Embassies and international organizations committed to promoting higher environmental standards. In November 2021, a meeting was held to inform, share, and network with many Embassies accredited in Italy. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss environmental practices with a diverse group of global partners, ranging from alternative mobility to waste recycling systems, from energy-efficient lighting to other forms of energy saving, and even reducing water consumption and plastic use.
Farnesina Verde Award
Finally, in 2022, the “Farnesina Verde Award” was launched, aimed at Italy’s entire foreign network. The many applications received demonstrate a keen interest in making the foreign network align with the environmental standards followed in Rome’s headquarters. Candidate Missions are required to develop projects in three macro-areas: waste reuse and disposal; energy saving and efficiency; and reduction of plastic consumption. Fifteen applications were submitted from foreign Missions, including Washington, Paris, Berlin, London, and Beijing.