UN Partners
on Climate Change
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Background Information > Fact Sheets
Greening the United Nations
In addition to working toward a global agreement to address climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is committed to improving the UN’s direct contributions to global efforts to safeguard the planet and climate.
“We are already moving toward making our Headquarters in New York climate-neutral and environmentally sustainable,” he said. “The United Nations’ Capital Master Plan to renovate the 55-year-old landmark is a good starting point, and we have already identified ways to reduce our energy use significantly.”
“I would like to see our renovated Headquarters complex eventually become a globally acclaimed model of efficient use of energy and resources. Beyond New York, the initiative should include the other United Nations headquarters and offices around the globe.”
The main UN Headquarters buildings were constructed in 1949 and 1950 and have not been significantly improved or maintained since then. They are extremely energy inefficient, costing the UN more than $30 million a year in energy costs alone. The capital master plan is expected to save money in the long run while reducing energy use by more than a third.
“We are taking the opportunity of the capital master plan to move ahead with the ‘greening of the UN,’” said Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Management. “This is a very important opportunity for all of us and we’re going to take it to make sure the UN can become a model, if we can, on the environmental front.”
The “greening” effort will be UN-system wide.
The Secretary-General said: “That is why I am asking the heads of all United Nations agencies, funds and programmes to join me in this effort. And I am asking all staff members throughout the United Nations family to make common cause with me.”
He added that this undertaking will require dedication, perseverance and considerable financial resources, and the strong support of our Member States.
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