Environmental sustainability

The 2020-2030 UN Strategy for Environmental Sustainability in the area of management commits UN entities to raise its collective aspirations in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions (reduce emissions from use of electricity, energy sources, air, and ground travel); waste management (reduce single-use plastics across UN compounds, minimize, and properly dispose of all forms of waste); air pollution (ensure UN premises and fleets do not exacerbate local air quality issues); water and wastewater (conserve water and avoid release of untreated water into the environment); and biodiversity degradation (conserve biodiversity and avoid adverse impacts).

Developing a BOS provides an opportunity for UNCTs to increase and improve sustainable development practices, bringing us a step closer to achieving our SDGs. The functions of facilities and events management, procurement, logistics, human resources, risk management, and ICT are identified as core functions for mainstreaming environmental action. For all common services, OMTs are strongly encouraged to integrate environmental sustainability considerations at the earliest opportunity, so as to enhance resource and cost efficiencies of UN operations and limit adverse impacts on the local environment. Specific KPIs monitoring progress towards environmental sustainability are clearly marked in the online platform.