The Hague – Living Sustainability

We introduced clearly labeled bins for easy waste separation and set up garden composting. Staff swapped single-use plastics for Tupperware, making lunch breaks a little greener. We are also embracing sustainable office practices by following a “think twice before printing”-policy which includes printing as little as possible, using recycled white paper, and transitioning from paper to digital storage. 

Our gardening practices follow The Hague’s Green Gardening Manifesto. This initiative promotes sustainable, biodiversity-friendly practices that prioritize eco-friendly techniques, local plant species, and the reduction of environmental impact in urban gardening.

Through targeted measures such as installing energy-saving water pumps, LED lamps, heating timers, and reducing heating temperatures, we achieved a remarkable 30% decrease in energy consumption compared to the previous year. Additional energy-saving measures include switching off lights and screens in rooms when not in use and turning off printers overnight and on weekends.

Many colleagues are already swapping four wheels for two, biking to work as part of our push for greener commuting. This year, we are launching a month-long "kilometer challenge" to track the distances traveled by staff on foot or by bike, encouraging even greater participation. The Ambassador also leads by example, using an official bike for professional travel within The Hague, further supporting our commitment to sustainable practices.

From vegan potlucks and sustainability quizzes to posters, talks, and town halls, we have made sure everyone in the Embassy is part of the conversation. This year, our team outing will center on the theme of sustainability.  We will continue organizing internal events to encourage knowledge sharing and inspire collective action.

We are also encouraging the use of stairs instead of the elevator. This reminds us that even the smallest daily choices can lead to meaningful change and benefits the health of our staff at the same time.