Environmental Review
2006
January 2006
United Nations University
53-70 Jingumae 5-chome
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925
Japan
Internet: http://www.unu.edu/ISO14001
Page 1
Executive Summary
This report presents a brief overview of the
environmental performance of the United
Nations University Centre (UNU Centre) and
the Institute for Advanced Studies (UNU- IAS),
in Tokyo and Yokohama respectively. Also
included is an evaluation of the activities of the
UNU Centre and UNU-IAS against the
established
environmental
management
system’s targets and objectives of the 2004-05
biennium.
In the 2004-05 UNU fell short of meeting
targets relating to the greening of UNU work
practices, particularly in terms of reduction gas
and electricity consumption and waste
generation at the UNU Centre, but met the
target for reductions in water/sewage. There
was, however, a corresponding increase in the
number of public events held in the last
biennium, which would have a significant effect
on utilities consumption and waste generation
at the UNU Centre. There will need to be a
stronger focus on improving the environmental
performance of events at the UNU Centre.
UNU continued to demonstrate a commitment
towards environment related research and
capacity building through the projects and
initiatives associated with the Environment and
Sustainable Development Programme of the
UNU Centre and the research streams of the
UNU-IAS, despite a prioritisation of research
projects in the 2004-05 biennium.
This
continuation of research in environment was
evidenced by the number of publications,
journal articles, editorials, policy briefs, and
discussion papers, as well as within capacity
building efforts for fellowships, interns and
training courses.
Despite a slight decrease in UNU personnel at
the UNU Centre and UNU-IAS the tenants at
the UNU Centre (Unit 5: tenants) had fully
occupied the total floor space of the building
with the addition of the Universal Networking
Digital Language Foundation in 2005. In 2004
UNU-IAS also relocated to Yokohama.
The UNU is committed to making further
environmental performance improvements in
the 2006-07 biennium and will look to all areas
of its activities and set clear priorities for action.
Page 1
1
Introduction
Research and capacity development work of
the United Nations University (UNU) explores
the interactions between human activities and
the natural environment and their implications
for the sustainable management of natural
resources at the local, national, regional and
global levels.
The UNU is committed to the promotion of
innovative solutions to pressing global
environmental problems.
We work in
partnership with other UN agencies, national
governments, academic institutions, nongovernment organizations, business and others
to pursue this objective.
Our specialists
located in research and training centres across
the globe have a long and successful track
record of producing timely and targeted
research designed to meet the needs of policy
makers, particularly those from developing
countries.
The UNU is determined to establish strong
credentials as an environmentally friendly
institution. Today, the only effective way to
establish these “green” qualifications is through
the international environmental management
standard – ISO14001. Consequently, in May
1999, the UNU set up a steering group under
the guidance of the Environmental Co-ordinator
(the then Vice Rector, Professor Motoyuki
Suzuki) to develop an ISO14001 certified
environmental management system that would
reduce the impact on the environment through
a process of continuous improvement. In
January 2001 the UNU Centre and UNU-IAS
were ISO14001 certified. In March 2004 this
certification was renewed.
In order to promote increased environmental
awareness within the UNU, the University
established an environmental policy under the
banner “Going for Green”, as presented in
Figure 1 (right).
The following DRAFT report presents the
findings of the third review of the UNU’s
environmental
performance.
Previous
Environmental Review reports are available
from
the
UNU’s
ISO14001
website
(http://www.unu.edu/ISO14001).
Figure 1 UNU Environmental Policy
The United Nations University is committed to the
ideals and practices of environmental sustainability
and has established four goals for the continual
improvement of the University’s environmental
performance and for the prevention of pollution. We
consider that these goals are appropriate to the
nature, scale and environmental impacts of the
University.
1. Greening Our Work Practices
Comply with all applicable environmental laws and
regulations, and with other requirements to which
the UNU subscribes; Include environmental
considerations in the University’s procurement
practices; Reuse, reduce and recycle materials and
goods purchased; and Save energy and reduce
water consumption.
2. Greening Our Work Place
Improve the quality of the working environment
within the UNU buildings in Tokyo (internal air
quality, drinking water quality, waste, lighting,
health and safety, etc.)
3. Contribute to the Global Community
Engage in research, networking, knowledge
transfer and capacity building projects contributing
to environmental sustainability
4. Contribute to the Local Community
Participate as a responsible neighbour in local
initiatives to improve the quality of the environment
Organize events (such as World Environment Day)
to raise local awareness of environmental problems
Management and personnel of the UNU are
expected to understand how their actions impact
on the environment and to take measures to
improve both environmental performance and
quality so as to minimize the direct and indirect
negative impacts of our activities, where ever
possible.
We will also highlight the positive
contribution made by the University to the solution
of pressing environmental problems around the
world.
The goals set out in this policy statement will be
implemented through a comprehensive plan
containing objectives and measurable targets and
with monitoring, review, self-assessment and
analysis of performance against the plan. We will
also take corrective action, whenever appropriate,
and encourage all personnel to participate in an
open dialogue on how best to improve the
environmental performance and environmental
management system of the University.
Page 2
2
Environmental Performance
The following provides a summary of the
environmental performance of the direct and
indirect aspects at the UNU Centre and UNUIAS over the last biennium.
The performance of direct aspects in terms of
utilities consumption and waste and recycling is
provided only for the UNU Centre. Data on
direct impacts is unavailable for UNU-IAS
because of the leasing constraints in the new
office facilities in Yokohama.
Over the last few years, there have also been
significant changes in the number of
employees in the UNU Centre and UNU-IAS
and an increase in events at the UNU Centre
such as conferences, workshops, seminars,
public lectures that has assisted the reporting
of a more balance environmental review.
2.2
cooling system) between 2002 and 2005, a
marginal increase in electricity consumption, a
decrease in water consumption and a marginal
increase in expenditure for the biennium.
Figure 4 (below) shows the annual electricity
consumption per employee at UNU Centre
between 1998 and 2005.
Over the last
biennium there was a marginal increase of 2%.
In 2004 the total electricity consumption per
employee was 18,836 kwh, which was a
marginal increase of 388 kwh (or just over
2.0%) in comparison with 2003. In 2005 there
was a marginal decrease of 83 kwh (or more
than 0.4%) to a total of 18,754 kwh.
Figure 4. Annual Electricity Consumption per
Employee at UNU Centre
Utilities
Figure 2 (below) provides a summary of the
annual consumption of electricity, gas and
water between 1998 and 2005. In general
utilities consumption, over the last biennium,
has increased for electricity consumption
(+6.1%) and significantly increased for gas
consumption (+38.7%), but decreased for
water consumption (-6.9%).
Figure 2. Annual Utilities Consumption at UNU
Centre
Year
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2004-05
biennium
Electricity
kwh
1,944,600
2,052,144
1,908,300
1,944,072
2,077,995
2,103,176
2,260,375
2,231,703
Gas
m3
138,467
126,062
124,634
129,523
106,911
131,582
183,766
182,472
Water
m3
6,423
8,546
6,128
6,685
6,564
10,223
9,032
9,520
+6.1%
+38.7%
-6.9%
Figure 5 (below) shows annual gas
consumption per employee at UNU Centre
between 1998 and 2005.
Over the last
biennium there was an increase of almost 33%.
In 2004 the total gas consumption per
employee was 1,531 m3, which was a
significant increase of 377 m3 (or almost 33%)
in comparison with 2003. In 2005 there was a
marginal increase of 2 m3 (or more than 0.1%)
to a total of 1,533 m3.
Figure 5. Annual Gas Consumption per Employee
at UNU Centre
Figure 3 (right) shows the utilities consumption
and expenditure per employee relative to 1998
levels when the UNU first undertook the
ISO14001 initiative.
Figure 3. Index of Annual Utilities Consumption
per Employee at UNU Centre
120
Index
100
Ele ctricity
Gas
Water
´
80
60
Figure 6 (next page) shows the annual water
consumption per employee at UNU Centre
between 1998 and 2005.
Over the last
biennium there was a decrease of almost 11%.
In 2004 the total water consumption per
employee was 75 m3, a significant decrease of
14 m3 (or above 16%) in comparison with 2003.
In 2005 there was an increase of 5 m3 (or 6%)
to a total of 80 m3.
40
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
Figure 6. Annual Water Consumption per
Employee at UNU Centre
In terms of consumption per employee at the
UNU Centre there was a significant increase in
gas consumption (used for the heating and
Page 3
Figure 9. Index of Annual Waste Disposal per
Employee at UNU Centre
200
Index
150
Re cyclable
Com bus tible
100
Non-Com bus tible
Expe nditure
50
0
19
99
Figure 7 (below) shows the annual utilities
expenditure per employee at UNU Centre
between 1998 and 2005.
Over the last
biennium there was an increase of almost 6%.
In 2004 the total utilities expenditure per
employee was ¥476,438, which was a
significant increase of ¥53,242 (or more than
12%) in comparison to 2003. In 2005 the total
decreased ¥27,703 (or less than 6%) to a total
of ¥448,645.
Figure 7. Annual Utilities Expenditure per
Employee at UNU Centre
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
Figure 10 (below) shows the annual
combustible waste disposal per employee at
the UNU Centre between 1999 and 2005. Over
the last biennium there was an increase of
almost 13.8%. In 2004 the total combustible
waste disposal per employee was 41.7 kg,
which was a significant increase of 5.7 kg (or
almost 33%) in comparison with 2003. In 2005
there was a marginal decrease of 0.7 kg (or
nearly 2%) to a total of 41 m3.
Figure 10. Annual Combustible Waste Disposal
per Employee at UNU Centre
2.3
Waste Disposal
Figure 8 (below) provides a summary of the
annual waste disposal consumption of
combustible, non-combustible and recyclable
waste. In general waste disposal, over the last
biennium, has significantly increased for
combustible waste (+17.9%) and noncombustible waste (+12.2%), but decreased
for recyclables waste (-20.0%).
Figure 8. Annual Waste Disposal UNU Centre
Year
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2004-05
biennium
Combust.
kg
6,979
8,450
9,576
9,524
9,068
10,840
10,690
Non-Com.
m3
34.4
58.5
61.5
65.3
57.1
68.6
69.3
Recyclab.
kg
1,970
2,700
1,480
2,221
962
378
770
+17.9%
+12.2%
-20.0%
Figure 9 (right) shows the index of annual
waste disposal per employee relative to 1999
levels when UNU began the ISO14001
initiative. Over the last biennium, however there
has been an increase in combustible and noncombustible waste, and a decrease in
recyclable waste, and a marginal decrease in
waste expenditure for the same period.
Figure 11 (next page) shows the annual noncombustible waste disposal per employee at
UNU Centre between 1999 and 2005. Over the
last biennium there was an increase of almost
17.2%. In 2004 the total non-combustible waste
disposal per employee was 0.264 m 3, which
was a significant increase of 0.037 m 3 (or over
16%) in comparison with 2003. In 2005 there
was a marginal increase of 0.002 m 3 (or nearly
2%) to a total of 41 m3.
Figure 11. Annual Non-Combustible Waste
Disposal per Employee at UNU-HQ
Figure 12 (below) shows the annual recyclable
waste disposal per employee at UNU Centre
between 1999 and 2005. Over the last
biennium there was a decrease of almost 1%.
In 2004 the total recyclable waste disposal per
employee was 1.5 m3, which was a significant
Page 4
decrease of 2.4 m3 (or nearly 62%) in
comparison with 2003. In 2005 there was an
increase of 1.5 m3 (or nearly 2%) to a total of
2.95 m3.
30
No. Projects
25
Figure 12. Annual Recyclable Waste Disposal per
Employee at UNU-HQ
20
15
10
5
0
2000
Figure 13 (below) shows the annual waste
disposal expenditure per employee at UNU
Centre between 1999 and 2005. Over the last
biennium there was a decrease of almost 3.4%.
In 2004 the total recyclable waste disposal per
employee was 1.5 m3, which was a significant
decrease of 2.4 m3 (or nearly 62%) in
comparison with 2003. In 2005 there was an
increase of 1.5 m3 (or nearly 2%) to a total of
2.95 m3.
Figure 13. Annual Waste Disposal Expenditure
per Employee at UNU Centre
2.4
Environment related Research and
Capacity Building
The UNU undertakes research on pressing
global environmental problems under the UNU
Centre
Environment
and
Sustainable
Development Programme (ESD). Furthermore,
UNU-IAS implements a multi-thematic research
programme exploring practical approaches to
the attainment of ecologically sustainable
development.
In 2005, a total of twenty environment-related
projects were undertaken, with the UNU Centre
and UNU-IAS sharing 13 and 7 of these
projects respectively. Although the number of
projects declined over the last biennium this
partly reflects the efforts made, in line with
UNU Council recommendations, to re-focus the
research activities of the UNU.
Figure 14. Number of Environment-related
Research Projects
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
In the 2004-05 biennium, there was a
significant
effort
for
dissemination
of
environment and sustainable development
research by various means including:

15 publications;

67 articles in peer-reviewed journals;

40 articles in editorials, magazines
and newspapers;

18 policy briefs;

70 working papers/discussion papers;

84 entries in conference proceedings;
and

3 CD-ROMs.
There were also numerous efforts at UNU
Centre (ESD) and UNU-IAS towards capacity
building, including:

17 training courses;

56
meetings,
workshops
and
conferences; and

21 fellowships and 10 interns.
UNU Online Learning also produced an ecourse module on Strategic Environmental
Assessment and an e-case study on the
Ayuquila River watershed, Mexico, providing
two key online open educational resources to
be used by key institutional partners for
education in environmental and sustainable
development programmes.
UNU Online
Learning also played a key role in the
commencement of the UNU-GVU Global
Environment
and
Development
Studies
Masters level programme in August 2004.
Further information regarding UNU Centre and
UNU-IAS research and capacity building efforts
relating to environment and sustainable
development are available in the Annual
Report.
2.5
Outreach to the Local Community
The Global Environment Information Centre
(GEIC) — a joint initiative of UNU and
Japanese Ministry of the Environment — looks
at the issue of bringing up-to-date and accurate
information related to environment to a wide
range of stakeholders, especially nongovernmental and non-profit organizations
(NGOs and NPOs). Work in 2004 and 2005
continued with capacity development activities,
strengthening
of
environmental
support
centres, NGO support and information
dissemination.
Page 5
The UNU Centre also serves as a facility for
public events with conference facilities
including the 360 seat U Thant International
Conference Hall and the 110 seat Elizabeth
Rose Conference Hall. A number of these
events relating to environment and sustainable
development related issues. The number of
major events held at these facilities have
increased over the last biennium (see figure .
In 2004 and 2005 there were 194 and 174
major events hosted at the UNU Centre
respectively. This was a significant increase on
previous years especially 2003 which had only
132 events. The total number of participants
attending these events also increased in the
last biennium.
Figure 13. Number of events and total
participants at UNU Centre
250
33
No. Events
30
150
27
100
24
Total Participants (k)
200
50
0
21
2003
2004
Events
2005
Participants
Page 6
3
Environmental Protection Goals
The UNU has actively strengthening its environmental management programme by setting targets and
objectives to be met by the end of each biennium in the environmental management system’s
Environment Programme (Implementation Plan). We have made steady progress towards to
achievement of some of these environmental goals over the 2004/05 biennium. Figure 2 provides a
summary of our performance against the targets and objectives and identifies where we require further
improvement.
Figure 15 Assessment Summary of Targets and Objectives for 2004/05 biennium
Objective
Target
Status
Comments
(1) Greening Our Work Practices
(1.1) Maintain and
Improve on Legal
Compliance
(1.1.1) Review “Identification
of Legal and Other
Requirements” the current
state of compliance by end of
2005
In
progress
Legal requirements are currently being
reviewed by UNOPS on behalf of Unit 4: UNU
Administration, as part of the request for
proposals for building management contract
at UNU Centre
(1.2) Better Waste
Management and
Recycling
(1.2.1) Reduce all waste
generated by 5% of 2003
levels
Need to
improve
An increase in combustible and noncombustible waste, but there was a decrease
in recyclable waste.
(1.2.2) Develop a Waste
Management and Recycling
Policy, based on data analysis
and stakeholder consultation
Need to
improve
Waste policy currently implemented on adhoc basis and needs be formalized in the
2006-7 biennium.
(1.2.3) Revise and improve
waste and recycling
explanatory materials and
disposal facilities and develop
waste and recycling guidelines
Need to
improve
Some guidance provided via email and use of
wall stickers. Further guidance needs to be
developed.
(1.2.4) Investigate
opportunities and develop
Options study to improve
industrial waste disposal (in
particular of electronic and
computer waste)
In
progress
Management of old IT equipment undertaken
by C3 within Unit 3: UNU Services. Options
study still needs to be undertaken.
(1.2.5) Investigate
opportunities for ‘paperless
office’ improvements
In
progress
In Unit 3: UNU Services, Campus Computing
Services made major improvements to the
intranet with all administrative and services
documentation made accessible for all staff
and UNU Press has also made significant
improvements in improving the use of
electronic manuscripts for publications
development and electronic media for
publications. Wider paperless office
developments need to be further investigated
for other Units in the 2006-7 biennium.
(1.3.1) Reduce energy
consumption by 5% of 2003
levels
Need to
improve
Slight increase in electricity consumption per
employee and significant increase in gas
consumption per employee.
(1.3.2) Develop an Energy
Management Policy based on
data analysis and stakeholder
consultation
Need to
improve
Energy policy currently implemented on adhoc basis and needs be formalized in the
2006-7 biennium.
(1.3.3) Develop energy
management explanatory
materials and guidelines by
2003
In
progress
Some guidance provided via email and use of
wall stickers. Further guidance needs to be
developed in the 2006-7 biennium.
(1.3.4) Investigate
opportunities for alternative
energy sourcing (ie. solar
power micro-panels for
powering lighting systems)
Need to
improve
UV protective and blast proof film installed on
external glass. Further opportunities for
alternative energy sourcing in the 2006-7
biennium.
(1.3) Manage
energy wisely
Page 7
Objective
Target
Status
Comments
(1.4) Purchase
environmentally
responsible
products
(1.4.1) Review Green
Procurement Manual
Need to
improve
The Office of Communications, Unit 3:
Services, were active in their consultation of
the Green Procurement manual for the
sourcing of paper for name cards. Further
review of the Green procurement manual
needs to be developed in the 2006-7
biennium.
(1.4.2) Investigate
opportunities study for
sustainable material/
contractor sourcing for UNU
Press
Need to
improve
Consultation with UNU Press and some
research undertaken, but study is not
complete
(1.4.3) Investigate the
relationship between
procurement practices and
utilities consumption and
number of staff
Need to
improve
Options study still needs to be undertaken in
the 2006-7 biennium.
(1.5) Better
Emergency
Preparedness
(1.5.1) Review emergency
preparedness procedures
relevant to ISO14001
In
Progress
Emergency preparedness Procedures
consistently reviewed by UNU Admin. Drill
undertaken in 2004 and 2005. UNU-IAS
review needs to be considered in
(1.6) Better water
conservation and
wastewater
management
(1.6.1) Reduce water
consumption by 5% of 2003
levels
Achieved
A reduction of 7% in water consumption
achieved.
(1.6.2) Develop a Water
Management Policy based on
data analysis and stakeholder
consultation by end of 2003
Need to
improve
Drinking water monitoring is on-going,
however the water management policy needs
to be undertaken in the 2006-7 biennium.
(1.6.3) Develop water
management explanatory
materials and guidelines by
2003
Need to
improve
Some guidance provided via email and use of
wall stickers. Further guidance needs to be
developed in the 2006-7 biennium.
(1.6.4) Investigate wastewater
discharges from the UNU,
including sewage and storm
water discharges
Need to
improve
Sanko has data on wastewater and storm
water discharges, but formal data review
needs to be undertaken as part of the review
of legislative requirements in 2006-07.
(2.1.1) Review the internal
working environment
conditions and make
proposals for improvement.
In
Progress
Unit 4: UNU Admin has made efforts in
approaching UNOPS for the review of
building management and maintenance and
quality checks undertaken by Sanko. Further
considerations of environmental working
conditions need to be undertaken2006-07.
(2.1.2) Review air conditioning
and ventilation system
performance.
In
progress
As 2.1.1
(2.1.3) Review drinking water
quality
In
progress
As 2.1.1
(2.1.4) Review lighting
systems and investigate
options
In
progress
As 2.1.1
(2.1.5) Investigate
opportunities for Health and
Safety guidelines (including
long term health impacts of
office duties)
Need to
improve
Health and Safety guidelines are being
developed within Administration.
(2) Greening Our Work Place
(2.1) Improve the
Internal Working
Environment
(3) Contribute to the Global Community
Page 8
Objective
Target
Status
Comments
(3.1) Contribute to
the Global
Knowledge Pool on
Environment
Related Matters
(3.1.1) Continue environment
related research, training, and
networking through relevant
research projects.1
In
Progress
Ongoing support for environmental related
project research.
 (3.1.2) Continue
environment related capacity
building including Advanced
Training, Fellowships and
other initiatives.2
In
Progress
Ongoing support for increased environmental
related capacity building programmes
(3.1.3) Continue disseminating
the results of research
activities through working
papers, articles, books,
conferences, workshop
panels, presentations, guest
lectures, CD-ROM and the
Internet.
In
Progress
Ongoing support for in dissemination of
environmental related research, through
Office of Communications, Media studio and
UNU Press.
(4.1.1) Support and enhance
partnerships among local
social sectors by collecting
and disseminating information
on activities of various
organization, establishing
networks, organizing seminars
and symposiums, and
supporting NGO projects and
activities.
In
Progress
Ongoing support for local environmental
related capacity building opportunities within
GEIC, Office of Communications, UNU Press,
ZEF and Media Studio
(4.1.2) Continue to provide
information on environmental
issues to the local community
through books, videos,
newsletter, exhibitions,
seminars, workshops, CDROMs, library resources and
internet
In
Progress
Ongoing support for environmental related
information distribution within GEIC, UNU
Press, ZEF and Media Studio
(4.1.3) Continue to host the
local environmental activities
In
Progress
Ongoing support for programme of
conferences, workshops and brown bag
seminars at the UNU Centre and UNU-IAS
(4) Contribute to the Local Community
(4.1) Outreach to
the local community
1
The environmental-related research, training and networking is undertaken via the following research projects:
a)
b)
Implementation of environment research at UNU-IAS
1.
Biodiplomacy Initiative;
2.
ABS (Access & Benefit Sharing);
3.
Biosafety:

Traditional Knowledge;

Antarctica and Deep-Sea Bed;

Agriculture for Peace and Bioethics and Genetic Testing (BIODIP); and
2.
Science and Technology options for Developing Countries;
3.
Sustainable Development Governance;
4.
Urban Ecosystems; and
5.
Education for Sustainable Development.
Implementation of environment research at UNU Centre
1.
Sustainable Urbanization:

Multi-hazard Risk Assessment;

Zero Emissions Forum; and

Innovative Communities;
Page 9
2.
3.
4.
5.
2
Management of Fragile Ecosystems:

Sustainable Land Management in Drylands;

Mountains and Forests; and

Managing Agrodiversity;
Solutions to Water Crises:

Environment Monitoring and Governance in Coastal Hydrosphere;

Management of Shared Water in International Waters; and

Management of Basin Water Cycle;
Environmental Governance and Information:

Inter-linkages Initiative;

GLEAM Forum; and

Information Society and Environmental Issues; and
Global Environment Information Centre-GEIC.
The environment-related capacity building is undertaken via the following activities:

Ph.D. and Post-doctorate Fellowship Programme;

Advanced training courses;

UNU International Course;

Global Seminars, lectures and workshops on environment;

Media Studio: Global Virtual University (GVU), Asia Pacific Initiative (API) and FASID course; and

Ubuntu Declaration – a global multi-institutional agreement to integrate education, science, technology for
ESD.
Page 10