26 February 2015: The UN emitted about 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2013, according to ‘Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN: The UN System’s Footprint and Efforts to Reduce It.’ The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report reflects system-wide progress in implementing the UN’s Climate Neutral Strategy, which requires UN bodies to estimate their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduce their emissions and analyze the cost implications of purchasing carbon offsets as they move towards climate neutrality.

The report includes data on the GHG emissions for 64 organizations in 2013 as well as a breakdown of emissions by source. The UN GHG inventory includes emissions from all activities under the UN’s direct financial control, including the heating and cooling of buildings and staff member travel. Air travel accounts for more than 50% of the UN’s emissions.

The report also highlights UN agency and office projects to improve environmental performance. For instance, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Office for South Asia in Nepal has completed a solar energy project that meets 65% of the office’s annual energy requirements. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon is also using solar power to reduce its energy consumption.

“Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN tells the story of an organization headed down the low-carbon pathway that we will all need to follow to reduce climate impacts and promote sustainable development,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted in his introduction to the report.

GHG emissions calculations presented in the report were conducted using the GHG Protocol, a methodology developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

The annual report is the sixth of its kind. It includes a brochure, a poster and a PowerPoint presentation. [Publication: Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN: The UN System’s Footprint and Efforts to Reduce It] [Greening the Blue Press Release] [UNEP Press Release]