Three ways WFP is making its transport more sustainable.

For the first time this year, 26 November was observed as the World Sustainable Transport Day. The UN General Assembly has designated this day to raise awareness, educate and enhance knowledge about sustainable transport, with a specific focus on environmental sustainability. The resolution emphasizes the importance of low-emission and energy-efficient modes of transport in addressing climate change and working towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Here at the World Food Programme , we recognize the environmental impact of the 6,500 trucks, 140 aircraft and 20 ships that we use everyday to bring life-saving assistance to people in need.? Climate-related events also often impact our ability to access communities and deliver our support. This is why we are working to improve sustainability and resilience across our supply chain to ensure we leave a minimal environmental footprint while still reaching millions of people in the 120 countries and territories we operate in.

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1. Reducing airdrops in South Sudan

Air transport is one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases, generating over one billion tons of CO2 per year. However, in some remote locations and complex emergencies, it is the only way for WFP to reach the people who need our assistance.

Over the past five years, WFP South Sudan has significantly reduced the number of airdrops from seven to one, thereby decreasing emissions. South Sudan has major infrastructure gaps, including a poor road network, which has made the logistics of delivering food difficult and costly. To reduce the reliance on airdrops, WFP invested in strategic infrastructure projects such as rehabilitating existing roads, prepositioning stocks during the dry season before transport routes are cut-off, and utilizing South Sudan’s river network to ensure we can reach remote locations. By prioritizing more sustainable ways to transport assistance, WFP minimized its carbon footprint. Investing in infrastructure such as roads and river routes also improved communities’ access to markets and social services.

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2. Back on track in Djibouti

Choosing lower carbon modes of transport over long distances can substantially reduce our footprint. Trains remain one of the greenest options, generating up to 75% fewer CO2 emissions compared to cars and planes.

Shifting from trucks to trains in Djibouti – a key hub for WFP operations across Eastern Africa – has significantly curbed our environmental impact. One electric train is equivalent to 74 trucks needed to transport the same amount of food. This change not only results in reduced emissions but also minimizes costs and transit times, enabling WFP to reach more people, faster.

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3. Resilience to climate events: All-terrain vehicles

As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, the need for robust and resilient transport that can reach remote or hard-to-access communities is paramount to ensure timely and effective delivery of food assistance.

WFP can deploy amphibious all-terrain vehicles in the aftermath of floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. They can float on water, cross rivers, climb obstacles and pass swamp lands to easily reach communities. First introduced in 2018 in the isolated region of Ganyiel, South Sudan, where thousands had been displaced by the conflict, they replaced expensive and carbon-dense airdrops. In five weeks, the vehicles successfully transported 800 metric tons of food – equivalent to 25 airdrops – saving 550 metric tons in CO2 emissions and ensuring critical supplies could reach vulnerable communities. These vehicles are now often used in similar contexts, such as Mozambique and Chad.

Climate change remains a major driver of hunger, leaving communities who contribute the least to the climate crisis bearing the brunt of its devastating impacts. To learn more about how WFP is transforming its supply chain to tackle environmental sustainability, watch this video and explore our work!