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International Trade Centre (ITC)

www.intracen.org

HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
Number of staff: 320
Number of locations: 1


Key figures


Total emissions: 3,447 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions per staff member: 10.8 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions from air travel: 3,285 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Air travel as a proportion of total emissions: 95%
Air travel per staff member: 10.3 tonnes CO2
Building-related emissions: 21 kg CO2 equivalent per square metre

““Our Emissions Reductions Strategy, launched in 2011, aims to also reduce the carbon intensity of our operations, including air travel.  Our management and staff are committed to reduce the organization's carbon footprint and mainstream environment throughout our work."

Patricia Francis, Executive Director’s, International Trade Centre (ITC)

Executive Director’s message


“Climate change is a defining development challenge of this century. ITC fully supports the UN’s commitment to fight climate change through the UN’s Climate Neutral Initiative. We have reduced the carbon emissions related to our facilities by 50% since 2005, thanks to a number of energy efficiency measures in heating/cooling, lighting and IT equipment. Our Emissions Reductions Strategy, launched in 2011, aims to also reduce the carbon intensity of our operations, including air travel.  Our management and staff are committed to reduce the organization's carbon footprint and mainstream environment throughout our work."

Patricia Francis

Mission


ITC’s mission is to enable small business export success in developing and transition-economy countries, by providing, with partners, sustainable and inclusive development solutions to the private sector, trade support institutions and policymakers. ITC’s strategic objectives are:

  • Exporters: Strengthen the international competitiveness of enterprises in developing and transition economies;
  • Trade support institutions: Develop the capacity of trade service providers to support exporters;
  • Policymakers: Support policymakers in integrating the private sector into the global economy.

Experience so far


ITC is actively working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from buildings and facilities management are continuously being reduced through a number of ongoing projects related to the building’s heating/cooling systems, IT equipment and policies, lighting systems and recycling facilities.

Regarding travel, ITC is working to raise awareness among ITC staff and consultants. Each time a flight reservation is made at ITC, the staff or consultant is informed of the carbon footprint associated with the proposed trip.

ITC staff and consultants have been provided with a desktop guide with practical tips on how to green their missions, their commute to work, their office, and their lunch and coffee breaks.

ITC is also working to promote climate-friendly behaviour for the commute to work. The capacity for bicycle parking has been increased and an annual survey monitors staff commuting habits.

Reduction efforts


ITC is taking a number of actions to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the key mitigation efforts include:

Travel

  • Introduction of videoconferencing as an alternative to travelling to meetings,
  • Instruction to travel agents to report on the CO2 emissions for each ticket booked to increase awareness among staff,
  • Launch of online platforms to enable the deployment of experts regionally to reproduce ITC knowledge and skills.

Building and facilities

  • Installation of a mixed gas/fuel heating system which is more environmentally friendly than traditional fuel heating systems,
  • Installation of a dedicated device for the regulation and optimization of heating during winter time,
  • Optimization of the cooling system in offices and the building’s ventilation system,
  • Renovation of ITC lifts to optimize energy savings,
  • Systematic replacement of current lighting with low energy light bulbs,
  • Nightly checks of office space to make sure lights and equipment are shut off,
  • Reduction of the number of standalone printers and replacement with more efficient models,
  • Introduction of a smart-card system for printing,
  • Configuration of printers for default two-sided gray scale printing,
  • Selection of FSC and 100% recycled paper.

Offsetting


ITC is considering offsetting as part of its mitigation strategy.

Next steps


ITC has a number of projects planned to improve the environmental sustainability of the organization:

  • A revolving floor will replace the ITC entrance, helping to regulate the building’s temperature and reduce energy use;
  • Increased efficiency of the server room;
  • Installation of an automated system to completely switch off all electronic devices when not in use at night;
  • Installation of a new lighting system.

For more information visit the ITC website