World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

www.wipo.int

HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
Number of staff: 1,346
Number of locations: 5

Key figures

Total emissions: 7069 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions per staff member: 5.3 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions from air travel: 3,819 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Air travel as a proportion of total emissions: 54%
Air travel per staff member: 2.8 tonnes CO2
Building-related emissions: 37 kg CO2 equivalent per square metre

“A balanced Intellectual Property system has an extremely important role to play in fostering the creation, diffusion and application of clean technologies. The power of human ingenuity is our best hope for restoring the delicate balance between ourselves and our environment.”

Francis Gurry, Director General, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Director General's Message

“Climate change is one of the greatest threats ever faced by society. Human activity, including decades of technological development, has damaged our planet. Widespread pollution and spiralling consumption of the world’s mineral and biological reserves have put unprecedented stress on the environment. As human activity caused the problem, so too can human activity ffnd the solutions. Green innovation – the development and diffusion of technological means to tackle climate change – is key to halting the depletion of the earth’s resources. The race has started to develop accessible alternative sources of energy. A balanced IP system has an extremely important role to play in fostering the creation, diffusion and application of clean technologies.The power of human ingenuity is our best hope for restoring the delicate balance between ourselves and our environment. It is our greatest asset in ffnding solutions to this global challenge, enabling us to move forward from the carbon-based, grey technologies of the past to the carbon-neutral, green innovation of the future.”

Francis Gurry

Mission

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest. WIPO was established by the WIPO Convention in 1967 with a mandate from its Member States to promote the protection of IP worldwide through cooperation among States and in collaboration with other international organizations.

Experience so far

WIPO’s Carbon Neutrality Project was launched in February 2009. Under the auspices of a main working group, various sub-working groups including technical and staff representatives are beginning work on identifying actions and policies that will strengthen the organization’s green credentials.

Reduction efforts

To date, five sub-working groups have been launched on buildings and construction, IT equipment, travel, mobility incentives (for the commute to and from work), and awareness-raising. Other sub-working groups on procurement, catering and restaurant facilities and the official WIPO car fleet are to be launched in the coming months. Each sub-working group is reviewing the current situation within the Organization with a view to identifying and developing actionable recommendations to improve the organization’s green credentials within each specific area.

Next steps

A five-year strategic plan is under development and is due for completion at the end of 2009. The project has been integrated into the organization’s formal programme and budget proposals to be endorsed by member states in September 2009 for 2010-11.