This paper examines the pioneering role of agricultural cooperatives in Palestine in adopting green practices and their measurable impact on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Amidst ongoing economic hardship, resource scarcity, and political instability, several cooperatives have taken proactive steps to implement environmentally responsible approaches, including organic farming, waste reduction, water conservation, and the use of renewable energy. Through a mixed-methods approach—combining field surveys, key stakeholder interviews, and analysis of cooperative sustainability reports—the study evaluates the contributions of these initiatives to environmental resilience, local economic empowerment, and social cohesion. The findings demonstrate a strong positive correlation between the adoption of green management practices and improved cooperative performance, particularly in productivity, market access, and community engagement. Moreover, the research assesses how these green initiatives align with global SDG targets, especially Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and Goal 13 (Climate Action). The study proposes a localized framework for green leadership in cooperatives and provides policy recommendations for scaling these practices across the West Bank and other conflict-affected areas. By presenting empirical evidence from a fragile context, this research contributes to the broader discourse on community-driven sustainability transitions and offers a distinctive perspective from Palestine.

Dr. Nariman H. Abu Atwan is an Associate Professor at Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, with over 15 years of experience in green entrepreneurship, business development, and governance consulting. She has led national and regional training programs on sustainable business models, conducted feasibility studies for eco-innovative ventures, and advised cooperatives and SMEs on transitioning to green practices.