Eurodiaconia Members’ Positive Practices
Social service providers play a dual role in ensuring a green and just transition. The first aspect of their role involves mitigating climate change which includes delivering services in an environmentally sustainable manner and promoting sustainable practices within the communities they serve. Secondly, social service providers are crucial in safeguarding the social rights of vulnerable communities. Consequently, the supportive aspect of their role in a just transition is particularly significant, as it involves assisting individuals disproportionately affected by climate change and green policies.
Nature of the Role
Project Types
Organisation
Skattkammeret Project by the Church City Mission, Norway
Skattkammeret (The Treasury) is a project that promotes sustainability by providing free loans of equipment for outdoor and sports activities to people, kindergartens, schools, clubs and organisations, with the main target group being young children and young people. The project aims to increase physical activity, social inclusion and the enjoyment of an active lifestyle while ensuring that the use of materials is reduced.
PROMOTION OF GREEN PRACTICES IN THE COMMUNITY – OVERVIEW
In addition to mitigating climate impact, social service providers play a crucial role in fostering sustainability within the communities they serve. By raising awareness, offering training and courses, and integrating sustainable practices into their daily operations, these organizations can significantly influence positive environmental change. Through their unique position and trusted relationships, social service providers can educate and empower individuals to adopt more sustainable lifestyles, thereby contributing to broader environmental goals and creating a more resilient and eco-conscious society.
Community Garbage Collection for Integration: Diakonie Michaelshoven, Germany
Students from the Rodenkirchen Comprehensive School, residents of the Diakonie Michaelshoven disability assistance center, the GWK (Gemeinnützige Werkstätten Köln) and citizens from the neighbourhood joined forces to collect garbage lying around in the neighbourhood. The initiative gathered the attention of the district mayor of Rodenkirchen, Manfred Giese, that stopped by accompanied the group and thanked the participants for their commitment.
SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE PEOPLE
The severe impact of climate change is manifested clearly in natural catastrophes and Europe as seen an increase of these disasters in the past years. However, the effects of climate change in the rights of people in Europe is present every day. Moreover, vulnerable people are often disproportionately affected, directly or indirectly, by the impacts of climate policies.
STRUCTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES – OVERVIEW
Developing comprehensive strategies for environmental and sustainability can be an excellent path to mainstream environmental concerns into everyday service provision. Notably, several Eurodiaconia members showcase diverse structural initiatives that allow them to reduce their carbon footprints, enhance biodiversity, and foster community engagement with environmental practices.
“Das Grüne Segel“ by Evangelische Heimstiftung, Germany
The Evangelische Heimstiftung is actively pursuing a comprehensive sustainability policy (Das Grüne Segel) across several key areas:
In terms of procurement, the organization prioritizes organically certified food, local suppliers, and regional products, ensuring adherence to stringent sustainability standards. Efforts are made to prioritize bundle deliveries, and optimize on-site storage, thereby reducing the frequency of small orders. Additionally, the EHS avoids individually packaged products, utilizes sustainable packaging materials, and employs fabric instead of plastic wrapping in its laundries.
Regarding food services, EHS privileges regional, seasonal, and sustainable food options. Since 2023, a vegetarian day, known as Green Wednesday, has been implemented, with chefs receiving appropriate training. To combat food waste, EHS collaborates with United Against Waste, focusing on storage, production, serving, and plate returns. Moreover, single-use plastics have been eliminated in favour of glass bottles and large containers.
Measures to cool residential groups during summer have been tested and are being implemented, including window films and heating control. To reduce CO2 emissions, energy consulting reports are prepared for each facility, guiding the implementation of necessary measures. The organization also invests in renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic systems, biogas plants, and heat pumps, and is transitioning to electric vehicles, with 45 electric cars and over 40 charging points already in use.
Environmental Sustainability Strategy by Diakonie Austria, Austria
Diakonie Austria is deeply committed to climate protection and environmental sustainability, integrating these principles into various aspects of its operations. The organization recognizes the urgent need for collective action to combat climate change and has implemented several measures to reduce its environmental impact.
- Photovoltaic Systems:The senior citizens’ home in Salzburg Aigen is equipped with 900 photovoltaic panels, generating 260,000 kWh of electricity annually. This system covers over half of the facility’s energy needs, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Additionally, three more service infrastructures have seen the installation of photovoltaic systems.
- Biomass Heating:The Diakonie de La Tour in Carinthia operates a biomass heating plant. This plant uses locally sourced wood chips to provide heating to various facilities, including a hospital, nursing homes, and residential buildings. The biomass heating system saves approximately 740 tons of CO2 annually, demonstrating a sustainable approach to energy consumption.
- Energy-saving LEDs: Energy-Intensive lighting in the Diakonissen Clinic and the Senior Citizens’ Home in Linz was replaced with energy-saving LEDs. This measure is expected to result in energy savings of around 88,000 kWh per year.
- Wood chip heating system: Some infrastructures, including housing for people with disabilities and a kindergarten have operated with an oil-fired heating system has been replaced with a wood chip heating system resulting in energy saving and less CO2 production.
- Plastic-free packaging: In one of the projects, (“Delicious by Diakoniewerk”) has transitioned to environmentally friendly packaging has been adopted. This initiative reduces plastic waste and supports sustainable consumption practices.
Diakonhjemmet Hospital Green Policy, Diakonhjemmet, Norway
Diakonhjemmet Hospital is committed to the sustainability goals through a comprehensive environmental policy. The hospital integrates environmental and climate considerations by setting specific targets to reduce waste, increase source sorting, and enhance the use of environmentally labelled cleaning products.
To improve water quality and reduce pollution, the hospital adheres to strict guidelines for managing chemical and medicinal waste, conducting regular internal audits. Regarding energy management, the hospital collaborates with the Diakonhjemmet foundation to utilize sustainable energy sources, including geothermal heating and recycling residual heat, significantly reducing its climate footprint.
Efforts to promote responsible consumption focus on reducing energy use, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and disposable items. The hospital also aims to mitigate the impact of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from transportation. To achieve that, some initiatives include an accessible bicycle workshop and electrifying the car fleet.
Finally, the hospital holds an annual Green Congress on rheumatology, where important knowledge from international conferences is disseminated locally reducing the needs for business travel. The event is carried out with a minimal climate footprint and puts the environment and climate on the agenda through the dissemination of research in the area.
Environmental Sustainability strategy by Diakonisches Werk in the Recklinghausen, Germany
In response to the ongoing energy crisis, the Diakonisches Werk in the Recklinghausen church district has committed to significant energy-saving and climate protection measures. Their goals include reducing energy consumption by 15-20% and decreasing dependence on fluctuating electricity prices. To achieve these objectives, they have implemented several concrete actions. Notably, the organisation installed 24 new photovoltaic systems and appointed energy monitors to identify and implement energy-saving measures.
In addition, the Diakonisches Werk in the Recklinghausen has invested in e-mobility by introducing electric vehicles and installing necessary charging stations at their facilities. Employees can also lease bicycles or e-bikes for both personal and professional use, promoting flexibility and reducing stress from traffic and parking.
Regarding food, the organisation adopts sustainable practices by sourcing meat from local butchers and offering vegetarian and vegan options. Moreover, they grow seasonal vegetables on their own fields, supporting healthy eating, environmental protection, and social inclusion through partnerships and educational programs.
Additionally, the organisation adopted a sustainable central purchasing system, including the selection selecting cleaning EU-labeled products and transitioning to fair-trade, organic cotton workwear for their employees.
Edith Seltzer Foundation work on environmental sustainability (FEP)
The Édith Seltzer Foundation in Briançon has engaged in a Corporate Social Responsibility approach for over ten years, particularly in its environmental aspect, delivering on several measures:
- More than 20 hectares of the foundation park became a refuge for the protection of birds and biodiversity.
- Two facilities welcomed a wood boiler which made it possible to recover biomass and reduce the use of other energy sources, particularly fossil fuels.
- An electromechanical composter, with the capacity to recover three hundred and fifty kilograms of biowaste per day was put into service. It transforms bio-waste from meals served in establishments into compost, used in green spaces and made available to employees.
- The central kitchen provides meals to school, health and social establishments and uses sustainable and quality products, particularly from organic farming.
