Travel
Publications
Sustainable Travel in the UN (2010)
Travel is responsible for approximately 50% of the United Nations’ climate footprint and represents a major cost to UN - over 1 US$ billion per year for the collective UN family. At the same time, travel is an essential means by which the UN delivers its mandate, and often cannot be avoided. This report seeks to provide guidance on what UN organizations can do to improve the sustainability of their travel. It provides background on existing systems and examples of best practice. Two approaches to reducing emissions are discussed in detail: Travel Less, and Travel More Efficiently.
UN Groups & Networks
Inter-Agency Travel Network
The Inter-Agency Travel Network (IATN) reviews how sustainable travel can be supported through information exchange on best practices, standard requirements on travel agents, and possibly revision of existing travel regulations.
Case Studies
Read case studies of different UN organizations approach to travel
Comments
1- For that are interested with the environmental issues (Everybody hopefully!!!), here is the Bonn declaration, (DPI-NGO, 3-5th sept. 2011).
+ 2600 NGOs and Civil Societies contributed to this unique document (Visit the link at the bottom to find it in PDF format). This document may be too long, but it goes into details on how to reduce escalation and damages to the environment and building new capacities. (So, not a rough guide document with bird views on topics)
+ Also, this is sustainable development (sustaining the development. It may not be a revolutionary development that humanity may expect -it should or ought to be, but it is an effective document. (This is the European contribution, but emrging countries has had their own says too, in annexes, that are not yet advertised and in which, I had myself particpated in some of these workshops.
For example, the environmental needs for Asian people is in their own declaration It has been described in a workshop.
+ Bonn declaration 2011 document is on the negotiation process now, and tomorrow (Rio 2012). Stakeholders got the document in their hands already (Environment Federal Minister of Gemany, UNEP,...myself I sent the online link to French Ministre of the Environment,....with a mark of "Good reading". Time is to act now for the future.
+ Now, please open the link and have a look. Our common future is now.
http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/browse/volunteering-issues/volunteering...
What do you make with sensors if the oil price goes up depending to you.
Myself, I put sensors at work in flood detections through the RFID -Radio Frequency IDentification fearing the rise of food numbers-part of the project is at www.slideshare.net/GSRADJOU (the slideshow is flood and health plan).
However, when price of oil jumps, one can have a set of possibe alternative means like:
+ buying an electrical car now,
+ slowing down on the speed, when driving,
+ using public transports,
+ use of sensors to increase the performance.
I found Urban sensing quite exciting. There is a wealth of new ideas and practices on how to use sensors in an economy with oil depletion. Please, visit to see them at work like urban walkeability. The link is http://urban.cens.ucla.edu/projects/walkability/
Thanks for newsletter and Happy New Year 2011 to all and Niclas Svenningsen.
Reduction of CO2 emissions could come with speed limitiations in cities- One city of paris is taking this measure -I think it is Angers.I am sure this would cut on energy consumptions.
Similarly, Boris Johnson Mayor of London wants to take steps to cut down on fossile fuel emissions by restricting the the traffic flows of cars and promote friendly bicycle riding, and walking.
Since, the Berlin wall has gone away, they are very few bicycle riders left in traditional places in Asia due to people lifestyle -like rickshaws, riding camels, donkey carts, yacks... Today, people tend to have great appetite for 4x4 wheel drives when they should not, like in cities- Is is economically sound and ethic.
I was reading 2 articles this morning.
I fancied the idea of SMS for e-covoiturage. Using smartphone and internet in Isère (France)-
This idea or using sms for sharing a car is already implemented in Swiss.
Also, a mine of detailed green ideas for businesses that are found of green and sutainability -and without being eco-facism (greenbiz online chief -editor Joel Makower)-very real sustainability does not just start by changing the bulb of the light, but also by switching plugs....". There are also good debates and presentation of mobile water units from Siemens for emergency situations.
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