Study: ‘The Environmental Impact of Cash and Voucher Assistance’

What is more, Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) has environmental potential that is currently under-exploited: the promotion of more sustainable consumption, the reduction of environmentally harmful coping strategies (e.g. vouchers to buy improved stoves), etc. Reinforcing the local production of more sustainable products and accompanying suppliers/traders in adopting greener approaches (e.g. less packaging) are two other areas that deserve to be explored by actors involved in CVA.

Integrating environmental considerations into CVA management tools (choice of method, choice of supplier, programme evaluation, etc.) is an important step in anticipating risks and maximising the environmental potential of this form of assistance. Actors involved in CVA can take inspiration from recent developments in the humanitarian sector in relation to the greening of policies and strategies, and awareness raising about environmental issues.