Department of Political Affairs (DPA)
http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/undpa/
HQ: New York, USA
Number of staff: 1,339
Number of locations: 11
Key Figures*
Total emissions: 18,228 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions per staff member: 13.6 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions from air travel: 6,289 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Air travel as a proportion of total emissions: 35%
Air travel per staff member: 4.7 tonnes CO2
Building-related emissions: 1445 kg CO2 equivalent per square metre
* 2008 data amended for available locations
“DPA actively participates in the UN's system-wide greening efforts, in addition to recognizing the link between climate changes and conflict prevention in its work.”
Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Political Affairs (DPA)
Under-Secretary-General’s message
“We know that the consequences of climate change can increase the risk of conflicts. Therefore, by reducing our carbon footprint we not only protect the environment, we can also save lives. For its part, DPA actively participates in the UN's system-wide greening efforts, in addition to recognizing the link between climate changes and conflict prevention in its work.”
Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Political Affairs (DPA)
Mission
Through peacemaking, preventive diplomacy and a host of other means, the UN works to prevent and resolve deadly conflict around the globe and to promote lasting peace in societies emerging from wars. DPA plays a central role in these efforts: monitoring and assessing global political developments; providing support and guidance to UN peace envoys and political missions in the field; serving Member States through electoral assistance and through the support to the work of the Security Council.
Reduction efforts
1. Some political missions have already created ‘Green committees’ to give a local response to environmental issues, addressing greenhouse gas emissions
2. Environmental focal points have been appointed in each mission
3. DPA signed in 2011 a service-level agreement with DFS to use the DPKO/DFS Environmental Policy also for DPA-led field missions.
4. An awareness raising session about the environmental policy has been organized with DPA desk officers.
Offsetting
DPA will align its policy with a decision to be taken for the UN Secretariat by the Member States.
Next Steps
At its Headquarters in New York, DPA staff will be active participants in the Secretariat’s greening efforts.
