News from the Campaign

First climate friendly meeting of the Regional Network of Ozone Officers for Europe and Central Asia (ECA network) Tirana, Albania, 25-28 March 2008 - In accordance with UNEP’s climate neutral strategy, which aims (1) to reduce the climate footprint of UNEP through adoption of sustainable management practices, (2) to ‘lead by example’ and to raise awareness of similar organizations, of governments, and of the public as a whole and (3) to develop methods, procedures, and approaches that could be used by others to achieve the same, the meeting in Tirana, Albania, was the first meeting of the ECA network trying to minimize its carbon footprint while creating awareness on climate change. As part of UNEP’s climate neutral strategy, a preliminary comprehensive GHG inventory was prepared in March 2008 and a verifiable comprehensive inventory is scheduled for March 2009. It is planned to off-set UNEP’s 2008 carbon footprint through the purchase of certified emission reductions (CDM Gold Standard). The price for such emission reductions is fluctuating and currently around 36 USD per ton CO2. The offsetting of carbon emissions from the ECA network activities can be complemented in a meaningful manner through the following options: Commitment of the ECA network towards reducing its carbon footprint through joining the UNEP’s Climate Neutral Network (http://www.climateneutral.unep.org/) Planting of local tree species if their long-time growth can be ensured and raising awareness through registration of the planted trees in UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign (www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/) Electronic dissemination of workshop documents and presentations as well as up-loading of such documents to the meeting website to avoid print-outs (http://fr1.estis.net/sites/ecanetwork/) Verification of flight itineraries as proposed by the travel agency by an independent service (e.g. UNON) to minimize flight time, travel time and costs Alternative modes of travel e.g. by train or car where meaningful, feasible, cost efficient and recommended by local UNDP offices Expert presentations via web-, video or phone-conference to avoid unnecessary travel No or reduced air-conditioning in the meeting and hotel rooms No use of plastic cups and plastic bottles Inclusion of vegetarian food options in the lunch menu Energy / environmental audit of the meeting venue in the margin of the meeting e.g. using a checklist Sharing of good practices and lessons learned with colleagues and friends and through the media with the general public In the context of this meeting, the estimated amount of CO2 emissions from air travel is roughly 44 tons and the resulting costs approximately 1600 USD which corresponds to about 5% of the travel costs (tickets & DSA) or 7% of the ticket costs. These emissions of the meeting will be offset as part of UNEP’s climate neutral strategy. In addition, the Honourable Minister Lufter Xhuveli of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management of Albania, arranged a symbolic tree-planting event during which 70 trees were planted near to the meeting venue Chateau Linza. The intention of the symbolic tree planting event is raising awareness on climate neutral strategies among the participants from about 30 different countries as well the citizens of Albania. The Director of Chateau Linza accepted the planting of 70 trees at his land and to take care of the growth of this “ECA network forest”. The ECA network has registered these trees in UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign and signed up as an inter-governmental partner of UNEP’s Climate Neutral Network. Already in the past, the Montreal Protocol contributed significantly to climate protection by phasing out substances which had contributed to both ozone-depletion and global warming at the same time. Such contribution has been found to be 5 – 10 times more than the expected contribution by the developed countries under the Kyoto Protocol during its first commitment period between 2008 – 2012. This synergetic effect will further be accentuated through the accelerated phase-out of HCFCs, which was recently decided by the XIXth Meeting of the Parties. Contact: