FAO’s new organic rooftop garden, the first in a UN building

The new rooftop garden in FAO headquarters highlights the role innovative technology can play in increasing access to healthy diets.

A rooftop garden (the first of its kind to be installed on top of a UN structure no less!) was opened on the terrace of FAO headquarters in Rome, on 17 November 2021. At the launch event, the Director-General stressed the role of sustainable technology and “the potential of collaborating with innovative and ethical private sector companies.” The project is part of an MoU promoted by the Mountain Partnership between the Organization and the Italian retailer and distributor NaturaSì and designed by the award-winning urban design company Ecobubble.

In line with the Organization’s Green Cities Initiative and the aims to strengthen the resilience of urban food systems and promote healthy diets, the Director-General noted how the rooftop farm, “will serve as a prototype that can be replicated as terrace farming in urban areas.” In fact, the rooftop farm’s triangular modules made of corrosion-retarding steel are equipped with sensors to monitor parameters such as pathogens, atmospheric pollution, water and climatic conditions. The data collected from this automated system will be analysed by the Sapienza University in Rome, which will further the study into the potential for scaling up of such farms in regions where urban agriculture is key to alleviating food shortages and in areas where agricultural land and soil is limited, such as mountains and cities.

Crops at risk of extinction and neglected species, as well as mountain varieties that have received the Mountain Partnership Product label will be cultivated on the farm, highlighting how important agro-diversity is for achieving the SDGs. Not only does the modular rooftop farm present an opportunity for scientific activity, research into agricultural innovation and agrobiodiversity, as well as added environmental benefits for headquarters itself, it also offers various benefits in terms of education and dissemination. All the produce grown on the rooftop garden will be harvested and donated to local associations whose mission it is to feed those in need, and FAO will provide guided tours of the garden to inspire others when COVID-19 restrictions allow.

FAO will continue to ensure the harmonization of internal sustainability initiatives with its Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy 2020-2030.

View the photos of the launch here.