8 December 2008: On 2 December 2008, the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) promulgated its first 2008-2009 Climate Neutral Policy and Strategy, which was formulated in response to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s call and the 2008 decision of the UN Chief Executives Board to move the UN System towards climate neutral operations over the coming years.

The policy seeks to systematically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions without compromising the ability of the Institute to carry out its mission. It states that UNITAR will: monitor and prepare annual GHG emissions inventories; reduce its emission per unit of training delivered; and offset remaining emissions by purchasing offsets under the Clean Development Mechanism. [UNITAR Press Release]