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UNDP is committed to being green, sustainable, and just. UNDP is already climate neutral in its global operations since 2015 and we have a corporate “Greening Moonshot” committing the entire organization to reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030. In this context, the UNDP Geneva Office is also committed to find and implement best practices and we value our participation in the local Swiss-led 2050 Initiative to explore how we can do more and get inspired by other Geneva based institutions.
UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. UNDP advocates for change, and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.
The UNDP Office in Geneva plays a crucial role in the organization’s global mission, serving as a key liaison with Geneva-based organizations and the governments of France and Switzerland. This strategic position enables the office to facilitate international cooperation and enhance global development efforts, significantly contributing to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Emissions reduction
UNDP leads on climate action by example. Through both reductions and offsetting the remainder, global UNDP operations are climate neutral since 2015.
In order to speed up emission reduction efforts, UNDP matched its commitment to supporting countries on raising climate ambition through their national climate pledges (i.e. the “Climate Promise”), with its own pledge for greater ambition. In August 2019, Administrator Achim Steiner launched the Greening Moonshot, committing the Organization to:
1. Reduce GHG emissions from UNDP operations 25% by 2025 and 50% by 2030.
2. Implement the best waste management in all UNDP premises.
3. Minimize the use of resources.
Building on years of advancing environmental management throughout UNDP operations, in 2019 the Moonshot Facility was set up to replicate and scale proven solutions as well as support green innovation to help meet the above-mentioned Moonshot Targets. This corporate facility, in coordination with other internal funds and funding, incentivizes contribution to the targets on a competitive basis.
In its first three years, UNDP’s Moonshot Initiative has funded over 70 projects, mainly focusing on increasing energy efficiency in facility operations, installing on-site renewable energy solutions and transitioning fleets to electric vehicles.
Also at individual level, UNDP personnel around the world are developing and implementing innovative solutions to achieve the ambitious Moonshot Targets, at times under very challenging circumstances. Corporately, by moving to cloud-computing and compact energy solutions to replace local data centers, UNDP has reduced its ICT carbon footprint substantially and expanded virtual collaboration infrastructure. UNDP is fully leveraging the experience from the COVID-19 pandemic to build forward better by utilizing virtual means of communication to reduce its travel footprint.
In adherence to the “Biodiversity Objectives,” UNDP commits to increasing the naturality of its facilities and assessing and reducing consumption pathways that negatively affect biodiversity, contributing to the Greater Geneva’s Green Infrastructure.
UNDP commits to deploying sustainable energy systems and improving energy efficiency within its operations, in line with the “Sustainable Energy and Buildings Objectives” set forth in the 2050Today Charter. This includes transitioning to renewable energy sources for its premises and pursuing energy efficiency measures in building design and operation.
UNDP will work towards the “Sustainable Food and Catering Objectives” by sourcing sustainable products, promoting healthy and nutritionally balanced food options, preventing food waste, and reducing food packaging in its catering services.
To align with the “Sustainable Mobility Objectives,” UNDP plans to implement incentives for sustainable mobility among its personnel and visitors, including promoting public transportation, cycling (joining the initiative of the “Bike to work” organized by Canton Geneva), walking, and the use of electric vehicles.
UNDP pledges to streamline its IT equipment, reduce the environmental impact of its digital operations, and optimize IT energy consumption in accordance with the “Sustainable IT Objectives.”
UNDP collects data on waste and waste management practices through its Environmental Management Tool. Under the Moonshot commitments, UNDP works actively to implement best practice waste management throughout its offices.
2050Today’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measurement methodology follows the GHG Protocol. The Protocol provides standards and guidance for organizations to measure and manage climate-warming emissions. It was created in 1998 through a partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
According to the GHG Protocol, the distribution of emissions is done by scopes:
Scope 1 represents direct emissions linked to the consumption of fossil fuels.
Scope 2 represents indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the reporting company.
Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain (i.e. purchased good or services, business travel, employee commuting).
The 2050Today carbon footprint takes into account the reported emissions generated by the activities of the institution over one year and is divided by categories:
Energy and water
It takes into account the amount of the consumed electricity produced and purchased by the institution. The energy consumed to heat and/or cool the institution’s building area and the consumed water are included as well.
Mobility
It takes into consideration business travels and commuting (on a survey basis).
Food
The CO2 impact of food includes the catering of the institution and individual consumption (on a survey basis) during working hours.
Purchased goods
The perimeter of purchased goods is set to a list of new office equipment, new mobility equipment (vehicles) and construction materials.
Waste
The perimeter of the waste inventory is set to waste production from facilities and internal operations of the institution
It has to be noted that the collected data of the 2050Today members resulting in each carbon footprint are not yet fully standardized and might not be entirely complete. Data collection is being progressively harmonized and improved. Therefore, direct comparisons between tCO2 / employee among institutions – be it in general or per sector – are not yet possible nor relevant.
To ensure the reliability, the accuracy and a recurrent updating of the carbon footprint assessment, 2050Today is advised by an international Carbon Footprint Scientific Committee.
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