Development of the Network

Article published in the June 2024 Infoletter.

James Squire: For a number of years, the network had several specialist working groups, such as the biodiversity working group and circular economy working group. Since 2018, we’ve become a more established network, and I’m delighted that the UK took over the presidency in January this year. Under our leadership, the network collectively decides on events and initiatives.

The network is made up of more than 20 members in Bern, and there have been a number of new members since its inception in 2018. Slovenia became the latest member under our presidency, and we are pleased that other embassies have recently shown interest as well.

With the expansion of the network over the past few years, and the complexity of the transition to a sustainable society, we believe it is important to showcase a range of topics and to be inclusive, so that we can address different elements of the challenging road to full sustainability.

In terms of our working culture, the network has a presidency system, which was briefly alluded to above. The presidency lasts for six months. The British Embassy took over from Israel, and Norway will take over from us in July 2024.

The president’s role is to ensure that activities are planned and carried out, and preferably to take a strategic lead in discussing the development and expansion of the network, communication issues, requirements for members and relationships with partners. The changing presidency has improved structure, but overall, the network remains rather informal and inclusive - all embassies in Bern can express their interest in joining.

This term, we have focused on three key events. These events aim to promote different topics, to understand where we can increase the collective environmental impact of the diplomatic community in Bern.

• Our first event in 2024 was a visit to Botanical Gardens, to learn more about Bern’s biodiversity space and how embassies can support it.

• On 22 March 2024, on World Water Day, the network visited ARA Bern (a pioneering wastewater management facility), to learn more about water management in Switzerland, the embassies’ host country, and to share the network’s key themes. Clean water and a healthy environment are not a given.

• For our final event, we collaborated with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Prosperity and Sustainability Division). The FDFA presented the Swiss approach to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the subsequent implementation of sustainability in their global network of embassies. After the presentation, each embassy shared what they are doing in Bern to practice sustainability. It was a stimulating exchange that inspired us all to continue our journey towards sustainability.

There are many to choose from. I will focus on a few from the British Embassy in Bern:

One example would be that we have been working on wellbeing, which slightly expands the notion of sustainability to include the human element. For instance, the British Embassy recently bought new plants to ensure that all offices and meeting rooms have more greenery. Research has demonstrated the stress-reducing and feel-good properties of plants in the workplace.

Additionally, the UK’s FCDO operations unit has changed suppliers. The FCDO is working closely with the new suppliers to integrate sustainability throughout their operations, including here in Bern. This is the first ever FCDO-EU 2024 Sustainability Vision: Solidifying the foundation and enthusiasm that will enable a world-class sustainability programme.

Yes, we work closely with the local institutions, especially those in the canton of Bern, as the network’s scope and objectives are local. For example, we work closely with the city of Bern and have been in contact with them on issues such as energy saving measures and biodiversity. The meetings with the city of Bern have facilitated exchanges where individual embassies have asked for further information based on their sustainability and biodiversity needs, and they will continue to be able to do so in the future.

Great question. In 2022, as part of the network, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands organised an energy-focused event with Alec von Graffenried, the Mayor of Bern, as well as a representative of the Energy Department of the city of Bern. Among the topics discussed was what we can do as a diplomatic community to contribute to the greening of our host city, including conserving energy. This event helped to raise awareness of energy conservation and the impact of our emissions on society.