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When it comes to the environment, the United Nations and its affiliates are walking the talk, according to a new report.

In 2019,  the nearly 60 bodies that comprise the United Nations System offset 97 per cent of the greenhouse gases they generated, according to the Greening the Blue report 2020. The report also found that while on the job, the UN’s 310,000 employees emitted 6.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂eq) per capita last year, down 22 per cent from 2010.

“The emergence of COVID-19 is a stark reminder of how we are all a part of nature and the environment,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Just as humanity does not exist in isolation, neither does the United Nations System. We are all part of the global climate crisis and our efforts to achieve environmental sustainability are essential to tackling it.”

The Greening the Blue report, which was released 10 December, found the United Nations System generated around 2 million tonnes of CO₂eq last year. (CO₂eq includes carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases). Forty-five per cent of all emissions came from staff air travel. Another 12 per cent came from other forms of transport and 43 per cent were generated by UN offices, largely through heating, air conditioning and electricity use.