UNEP launches a carbon offsetting initiative during the COP 12

At the occasion of the UNFCCC COP 12, the Step-by-Step team (a group of UN staff members engaging in the implementation of an environmental policy on the UN-compound in Nairobi) launches an initiative allowing the participants to offset their emissions caused by flying to the venture.

An information booth will raise awareness on the subject of carbon offsetting among participants; they will have the possibility to learn about the amount of emissions they caused. Group members will collect voluntary donations by the participants, issuing them with a certificate to display the contributor’s commitment to this initiative.

The money will be used to finance a bio-latrine project to be implemented in a school in a Nairobi slum area. The bio-latrine project is a simple and sustainable initiative combining the benefits of waste management, the solution of sanitation problems, the generation of natural fertilizer, and the reduction of the pressure on fuel wood or charcoal through substitution with the generated biogas for daily cooking of school food and hence contributes to the mitigation of climate change.

The project is considered the basis for further carbon offsetting initiatives in the course of future meetings at the Nairobi UN compound. In addition the Step-by Step team hung up signs: “TURN OFF LIGHTS - SAVE ENERGY”, “PRINT DOUBLE SIDED - SAVE TREES”, “REDUCE, REUSE, AND REFILL YOUR CUP” or  “DON’T LOOSE YOUR COPIES - SAVE TREES”

to remind the participants how to personally contribute to making the conference more environmentally friendly. Waste bins for the separation and recycling of publications, paper, plastic bottles, glass and trash have been disseminated all over the campus. For more information please come to the “Carbon Neutral” information booth next to the UNEP exhibition or contact the SBS group stepbystep@unep.org.