International Labour Organization (ILO)
www.ilo.org
HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
Number of staff: 3,510
Number of locations: 64**
** Data includes emissions from HQ and 40 other offices
In 2011 ITC-ILO reported its inventory data independently of ILO, see ITC/ILO's data
Key figures
Total emissions: 16,749 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions per staff member: 4.8 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions from air travel: 9,190 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Air travel as a proportion of total emissions: 55%
Air travel per staff member: 2.6 tonnes CO2
Building-related emissions: 114.2 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.
In 2011 ITC-ILO reported its inventory data independently of ILO.
www.itcilo.org
HQ: Turin, Italy
Number of staff: 181
Number of locations: 1*
*The Centre hosts its training activities on a campus, which includes a large residential accommodation facility (280 rooms), a Conference Centre, training and office facilities.
Key figures
Total emissions: 2,894 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions per staff member: 15 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions from air travel: 1,797 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Air travel as a proportion of total emissions: 62%
Air travel per staff member: 9.3 tonnes CO2
Building-related emissions: 28,1 kg CO2 equivalent per square metre
"We are committed to adopt environmentally-sound measures in our workplace and practices, in order to reduce the depletion of natural resources and prevent further damage to the environment."
Patricia O’Donovan,
Director of the International Training Centre of the ILO
Director's message
"The International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization recognizes that, in pursuing its mandate and strategic objectives, it has a responsibility to protect the environment and to affirm the principle of sustainability. This principle concerns all of us at the Centre as individuals, as international civil servants and as members of a learning institution.
We are committed to adopt environmentally-sound measures in our workplace and practices, in order to reduce the depletion of natural resources and prevent further damage to the environment. We also aim to enhance our role in advocating best environmental practice among ILO constituents and the other development stakeholders who attend our activities."
Patricia O’Donovan
Mission
The Centre is the training arm of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency entrusted with promoting social justice, including internationally recognized human rights and labour standards.
The Centre’s main role is to deliver high quality, relevant and effective training, learning and capacity development services to the ILO constituents and other partners in support of the ILO Decent Work Agenda and the wider UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Experience so far
Since 2011, the Centre has developed several in-house sustainability initiatives, primarily related to facilities, travel, and procurement. Many efforts have been made towards being more energy efficient and improving waste management. In August 2011, a Green Campus Advisory Group with representatives from all parts of the Centre was established to lead and promote greening efforts. A Policy Statement on the Environment was issued by the Director of the Centre. The Centre has also adopted formal targets in its Strategic Plan 2012-2015 to obtain a certification on the environmental status of the Campus.
Reduction efforts
- The Centre purchases hydro-electricity as a low-carbon source of power.
- New travel rules have been issued concerning the use of business class. Additional video conference facilities have been created to encourage the use of video conference instead of travelling.
- Energy efficient technologies whenever upgrading the Centre’s technical infrastructure and replacing f obsolete technological equipment (eg. HVAC, air treatment systems, etc.).
- Progress has been made in the application of green guidelines in procurement of goods and services, office equipment and IT equipment;
- A tele-working policy is in place;
- Important training events are papersmart;
- Improvements in waste management and waste separation have been introduced;
- Measures to reduce water consumption have been adopted (low-flow showerheads and faucets in hotel accommodations and in office and training facilities; energy efficient dishwashers with reduced water use in the self-service kitchen);
- ICT servers are increasingly being virtualized to save energy.
- Pay slips and other administrative documents are no longer issued on paper.
Offsetting
No offset policy has been developed yet.
Next steps
The Centre will actively pursue the goal of obtaining a green certification for its activities and facilities. The environmental review will be completed and an action plan to improve its environmental status will be implemented. Awareness raising and communication campaigns for staff and participants to the Centre training activities will be conducted. Efforts to modernize its technological infrastructure will also be pursued with the adoption of energy efficient equipment and the installation of photovoltaic cells when renovating buildings. The Centre will review business and administrative processes with a view to cutting down paper. The adoption of green guidelines in the procurement of products and services will be further developed. The Centre will also continue to virtualize its ICT servers to save power and cooling load.
ITC-ILO and sustainability
ITC-ILO Green jobs
