"Achieving climate neutrality is a challenge in an international organization with a global mandate and presence, but decisive action on climate change is essential and the UN system must lead by example."
Juan Somavia, Director-General of the ILO
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
"Greening the Blue", is a UN wide communications campaign on sustainability which was launched in 2010. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of ecological sustainability throughout the UN system and highlights both the plans to achieve a carbon neutral organization as well as the achievements. It also provides information on how staff can get involved in this process.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
Climate neutrality is included in the ILO Strategic Policy Framework for 2010-15 targeting energy savings, recycling and waste management; reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; travel expenditures and increased use of video conferences.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
Since 2008, as part of the UN system-wide initiative, we have taken yearly stock of the ILO building's greenhouse gas emissions and also how much we travel. This knowledge is crucial to develop a strategy on how to work towards climate neutrality.
. Photo:ILO/Maillard J.
The use of new technologies in the maintenance and management of the ILO building - for instance using natural gas for heating rather than diesel - has reduced its CO2 emissions by 30%.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
The renovation of the ILO building will allow us to almost exclusively use primary renewable energy. The renovation project will lead to more efficient use of the available space, the "greening" of the Office through greater energy efficiency, improved safety and lower maintenance costs.
. Photo:ILO/
The ILO building uses electricity supplied by hydroelectric power stations in nearby areas. Soon, 20% of the electricity will come from a mix of renewable energies, making it bluer and essentially greener.
Blue electricity: 12.4 g CO2 emissions/kwh
Normal electricity: 526.3 g CO2 emissions/kwh
. Photo:ILO/
The annual tap water consumption in the ILO building dropped from 100.000 m3 /year in 2002 to 45.000 m3/year in 2010 by using water from Lake Léman to cool the building, fill the pond and water the park.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
Every recycling method currently available in Switzerland is used in the ILO building. This includes, for instance: compost, biogas from the methanation of food waste, ink from printer and old furniture.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
In the ILO, waste is collected and sorted to ensure that it is eliminated in an environmentally friendly way. By the end of 2012, we aim to reduce by 30% the incineration of the on average 145 tonnes of waste collected each year in the building.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
We protect the environment around the ILO by using a differentiated garden maintenance approach and avoiding the use of chemicals. The ILO garden maintenance team is advised by the Canton of Geneva and supported by an association that maintains our gardens.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
By leaving much of the flora and fauna to grow more freely, wild vegetation and rare insects and animals have come back to live and prosper on ILO grounds. For instance, flowers never seen before are appearing in our fields. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
Approximately 240 tonnes of paper and cardboard are collected in the ILO building each year. By 2014, we aim to reduce this amount by one third.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
Using Skype and video conferences makes communication faster, greener and more (energy) efficient. For instance, in 2011, due to the increased use of video conferencing, we managed to cut more than 70% of travel to HQ for the Recruitment, Assignment and Placement System (RAPS), put in place by the Human Resources Department.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
The Green Jobs Programme undertakes different forms of action, including for instance: conducting research on the social dimension of environmental changes; developing tools to diagnose green jobs and their potential; building capacity and providing policy advice to constituents; and participating in international forums on climate change and sustainable development.
. Photo:ILO/Falise T.
A Task Force on energy savings and environmental measures in headquarters was created in 2007 comprising representatives from a range of Departments and the Staff Union. This Task Force has been mandated to draft an ILO strategy to achieve climate neutrality.
. Photo:ILO/Crozet M.
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