The World Agroforestry Centre has won the prestigious 2014 InsideNGO Operational Excellence Award for its efforts in offsetting carbon emissions and its commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral organization.

The Centre was presented with the award in the ‘Cross Operations Category’ via video link during a ceremony in Washington DC, USA.

Since 2010, the Centre has been working on continuously assessing and monitoring its carbon footprint. This not only saves the organization money but also demonstrates that it is ‘walking the talk,’ says an article on the website of the CGIAR Consortium. In 2013, the Centre’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya received its first certification as a CarbonNeutral® Office.

“The collaboration between staff on the scientific and administrative sides of ICRAF was exemplary in building bridges and emphasizing interdependence between two groups that seldom work together as equals on the same project,” said Laksiri Abeysekera, Deputy Director General, Finance and Corporate Services with the Centre.

The InsideNGO Award was created in 2012 to shine a spotlight on those unsung heroes in the NGO community whose work in daily operations helps sustain and support programmes and projects. The award recognizes individuals and teams around the world who uphold professional excellence within the NGO operational fields and promote a collaborative approach to problem solving.

Read the full story: ICRAF wins the 2014 InsideNGO Operational Excellence Award

Find out more about how the Centre is reducing its carbon footprint: http://worldagroforestry.org/carbon-footprint