UNEP to introduce Green meeting policy
UNEP has been climate neutral since 2008, but the new efficiency measures in the Climate Neutral Strategy will enable UNEP to lead by example in promoting sustainability. Additionally, implementing the efficiency measures could save the organization
THE UNITED Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, will introduce a wide range of efficiency measures across its global operations from reducing international air travel to cutting electricity and paper use in its offices. As the UN’s lead organization on environmental issues, it is only to be expected that UNEP should practice what it preaches and ensure that its work is conducted in ways that are respectful of both people and planet. Travel stands out not only as the activity with the largest potential for emissions reductions, but where changes will and that can also achieve considerable cost savings. A mere shift of 5per cent air travel from business class to economy class, combined with a 3per cent reduction of air travel, will generate a total reduction of UNEP’s carbon footprint of 8per cent within three years. In addition, the change in air travel would generate an estimated savings of USD 640.000 per year. More journeys will be undertaken by train and there will be greater investment in e-conference technology. UNEP will establish an e-communication plan where all UNEP employees are provided with access to online communication tools and online meeting rooms. UNEP has been climate neutral since 2008, but the new efficiency measures in the Climate Neutral Strategy will enable UNEP to lead by example in promoting sustainability. Additionally, implementing the efficiency measures could save the organization an estimated US$800,000 per year. Under the new guidelines, which will be presented to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon today, UNEP will also introduce a 'green meetings' policy. All conferences, events and meetings need to adhere to UNEP's 2009 Green Meeting Guide, which outlines ways to reduce waste, energy use and water consumption at such events. Greenhouse gas emissions from UNEP's offices-due primarily to electricity use- make up around 15 per cent of the organization’s carbon footprint. To reduce workplace emissions, all UNEP offices with 10 or more staff members will undertake in-house greenhouse gas emission reduction audits based on the Sustainable United Nations (SUN) Guide to Climate Friendly Buildings and Offices. Each office will develop preliminary emission reduction plans by December 2010. As part of the strategy, UNEP's in-house sustainability will be overseen by staff using an Environmental Management System (EMS). This management tool will monitor the organization’s environmental impact and assist in providing progress reports on emissions targets. It will be operational by the end of 2011. In summary, UNEP's Climate Neutral Strategy has the following objectives:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions as far as possible through adoption of sustainable management practices, and by procuring offsets to compensate for the remaining emissions.
- Reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 3% per year during 2010, 2011 and 2012, compared to 2009
- Support the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50-85% by 2050 compared to 1990.
- Aim for continuous improvement in sustainability performance and develop an environmental management system to support this.
- Monitor, manage and report on its climate and sustainability performance on an annual basis.
- "Lead by example" and provide a basis for raising awareness of similar organizations, governments, and the public as a whole. UNEP will share methods that can be used by other organisations to reduce their own environmental and climate footprint
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