27 February 2014- In
2012, the United Nations emitted about 1.71
million tonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse
gas - the same as nearly 86,000 homes in
the United States - according to the Organization's
only annual publication dedicated to assessing
its own impact on climate change.
The fifth edition of
Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN, released
today, details the emissions from 64 United
Nations organizations, covering nearly 225,000
staff around the world.
As in previous years,
over 50 per cent of emissions (866,609 tonnes)
were from air travel, meaning this remains
the biggest challenge to the Organization
in achieving climate neutrality-the achievement
of net zero carbon emissions by balancing
carbon released with an equivalent amount
offset.
The year 2012 saw growth
in both the number of entities reporting
their emissions, as well as in the scope
of the data reported: an increased number
of UN bodies were able to report not only
on their headquarters, but also on other
offices.
The publication is a
product of the commitment made in 2007 by
Secretary - General Ban Ki-moon - and echoed
by Heads of UN system organizations - to
assess and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions
and to consider options for offsetting them.
In addition to a breakdown
of the emissions of each organization, the
report contains a selection of case studies
demonstrating the measures undertaken to
reduce the UN's carbon footprint. Highlights
include:
The United Nations Office
for Project Services was awarded "ISO
14001" certification ? based on a set
of international criteria for environmental
management ? following the development of
an Environmental Management System to help
staff determine how construction projects
should handle waste, make the best use of
natural resources and protect the environment;
The International Telecommunication Union
saved US$ 9 million and 24 million kilograms
of CO2 following the introduction of a multilingual,
interactive remote meeting service;
The International Finance Corporation's
work to reduce its waste footprint, including
a Global Waste Challenge and the introduction
of new compost and recycling programmes
in its Washington office, increased composting
and recycling rates from 35 per cent to
93 per cent;
The latest fuel efficiency measure from
the United Nations Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
- known as "Fleetlog" -enabled
more detailed analyses of fleet usage patterns
and ensured resources were used to maximum
efficiency -not only reducing emissions
but also saving US $70,000 on fuel.
Background
In his introduction
to the report, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
thanks UN leaders and staff for "the
commitment of each UN organization to improve
its environmental performance? We have made
good progress and pledge to continue on
this essential path."
The report provides
updates on progress in implementing the
2007 Climate Neutral UN Strategy which was
approved the UN Chief Executive Board and
committed all agencies, funds and programmes
to move towards climate neutrality within
the wider context of greening the UN.
Specifically, the Strategy
requires UN bodies to estimate their greenhouse
gas emissions, to undertake efforts to reduce
their emissions and to analyze the cost
implications of purchasing carbon offsets.
The emissions calculations
in the report were compiled using internationally
recognized guidance based on the Greenhouse
Gas Protocol, a widely used methodology
developed by the World Resources Institute
and the World Business Council for Sustainable
Development. The UN greenhouse gas inventory
includes emissions from all activities that
are under the direct financial control of
the Organization, such as the heating and
cooling of buildings and the travel of staff
members.
