International Labour Organization (ILO)
www.ilo.org
HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
Number of staff: 3,117*
Number of locations: 64**
* 2,979 included in inventory
** Data includes emissions from HQ and 40 other offices
Key figures
Total emissions: 15,000 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions per staff member: 4.8 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions from air travel: 9,550 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Air travel as a proportion of total emissions: 64%
Air travel per staff member: 3.1 tonnes CO2
Building-related emissions: 86 kg CO2 equivalent per square metre
“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, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Director-General’s message
“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.
"The ILO is fully committed to achieving the target of becoming climate-neutral set by the UN Chief Executive’s Board. The ILO Governing Body comprising representatives of government employers and workers’ organizations has set the goal to become climate-neutral by 2015. The ILO's management team and I are committed to giving the leadership needed to meet this goal. Crucial to success is the mobilization and engagement of all colleagues and we are striving to ensure that conditions are in place for a sound collective effort. I issued a staff circular on “measures to protect the environment in ILO workplaces” to enforce this aspect.”
Juan Somavia
Mission
The International Labour Organization is the tripartite UN agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of its member states in common action to promote decent work throughout the world. The ILO is devoted to advancing opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue in handling work-related issues.
Experience so far
There is a high level of commitment throughout the organization. The support of senior management has been essential to carrying out measures. Formal targets have been set to achieve climate neutrality at Headquarters and in the numerous field locations. Communication with staff and their involvement has been crucial for the effectiveness of the measures and will be a fundamental for the success of the future strategy. Lack of detailed information on energy consumption and travel was a difficult barrier to overcome in producing the greenhouse gas inventory in 2008. After improving procedures for reporting information between Headquarters and field offices, the 2009 inventory succeeded in increasing the participation rate. For instance, greenhouse gas information was available for 41 ILO offices, whereas in 2008 air travel and facility operations data was only available for 19 ILO offices.
Reduction efforts
Institutional mechanisms: There is an institutional mechanism to collect data about greenhouse gas emissions, assess environmental impacts, evaluate options, draw up a strategy and mobilize staff in place. Environmental responsibilities are progressively incorporated into job descriptions and taken into account in staff training.
1. Reducing travel: Since 2008, 37 field offices have been equipped with tele-conference systems and eight additional offices will follow shortly. A circular has been sent to all ILO employees to encourage the use of tele-conference.
2. Reducing emissions and impacts from ILO buildings: An energy audit was undertaken in headquarters. As a result the central heating system was changed, shifting from diesel oil to natural gas and adding new equipment to reduce the use of energy by 10 to 15% and CO2 emissions by 30%. During 2011, a similar approach will be developed among ILO field offices.
3. The insulation of the roof in ILO HQ was replaced, doubling efficiency. The air-conditioning system was partially changed, joining the Geneva-Lac-Nations project, saving 650,000 kWh of electricity and 40 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. The ILO HQ purchases hydro-electricity as a low-carbon source of power.
4. Green IT guidelines are applied in procurement policy for the last five years.
5. A tele-working policy is to be issued shortly and a “Green Meeting Guide” is applied. In becoming greener, the procurement department has made much progress towards a greener print and publishing policy.
Offsetting
Offsets have been purchased on isolated occasions for major meetings. The general strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will include a plan to offset unavoidable emissions, in particular from indispensable air travel. The particularities of the offsetting plan will be addressed in due course.
Next steps
The climate-neutrality objective is included in the ILO Strategic Policy Framework for 2010-15. Its first outcome “Effective and efficient utilization of all ILO resources” contains a triple target toward climate neutrality for 2010-11:
1. Measures implemented on energy savings, recycling, waste management and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
2. Proportion of travel expenditures under all sources of funds reduced
3. Use of video conferences increased by 25%
The target for 2011 is the introduction of environmental measures that lead ILO to achieve climate neutrality by 2015. The ILO strategy to become climate neutral and reduce other environmental impacts is currently consulted with ILO personnel in cooperation and the ILO Staff Union. The latter will contain a staff communication plan about measures to be taken.
Areas to reduce emissions include:
Reduced travel by increasing tele- and video-conference and improving other means of communication, detailing information on greenhouse gas emissions linked to missions, incentives to use low-emission modes of transport); green procurement policies in an increasing range of products and services, improved energy efficiency in heating, air-conditioning, lighting etc., renewable energy in some ILO office buildings and application of the guidelines for green meetings to official ILO meetings.
