United Nations Office at Vienna / United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV)

www.unov.org

www.unodc.org

HQ: Vienna, Austria

Focal Point: Alyona Nevidoma

Internal Sustainability Team: 1 full time staff member in the Department of Management, responsible for coordinating the compliance framework for environmental sustainability.

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Director-General's Message

“Sustainability needs to guide the way we operate every day. I am very proud that the UN Office at Vienna was the first of the UN headquarters to become climate-neutral, running on 100 per cent renewable energy. We will continue to build and cultivate a sustainable working environment.”

Ghada Fathi Waly, Director-General, UNOV and Executive Director, UNODC

Mission

UNOV manages services for organizations at the Vienna International Centre and coordinates liaison activities with permanent missions, the host government, and both intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in Vienna. UNODC contributes to global peace and security, human rights and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism by working for and with Member States to promote justice and the rule of law and build resilient societies.

Field Offices

UNOV/UNODC Headquarters is located in Vienna, Austria. The UNODC’s field office network operates in 98 countries (in 137 physical locations), under the lead of 18 fully established Field Offices headed by UNODC Representatives.

Alignment with the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the United Nations System, 2020–2030

UNOV/UNODC is committed to implementing the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System, by developing and instituting an EMS aimed at integrating sustainability into their core operational and management practices. Key operational areas such as travel, event services, waste management, procurement, and collaboration with other Vienna-based organizations for facilities management have been prioritized owing to their significant environmental impact. Initially, the Environmental Management System will cover operations in Vienna, with further extension to the field in later phases. This phased approach ensures manageable implementation, allowing for learning and adjustments as the system evolves.

Emission Reduction

The Vienna International Centre (VIC) is one of the largest United Nations compounds that obtained the climate neutrality certification. In its commitment to environmental sustainability, UNOV is actively working towards implementation of even more ecological friendly measures and strives to raise climate awareness together with the local community.

Energy Efficiency

As part of the Vienna International Centre (VIC), UNOV is powered by carbon-neutral electricity from 100% renewable resources. UNOV has introduced or benefits from several building related measures to improve the environmental performance as agreed to with all other Vienna-based organizations. The Building M in the Vienna International Center has been rewarded with the Austrian Eco Label.

Digitalization and Computerization of Services

UNOV is working towards digital transformation and broad use of new technologies to reduce the use of limited resources and limit produced waste.

Promotion of Ecotravel

Continued effort to reduce air travel by staff and non-staff by increasing the use of digital technologies for online and hybrid meetings, conferences, trainings and recruitment processes.

UNOV, together with other VBOs, encourages staff to commute with public transport, walking or cycling to avoid unnecessary car driving and conserve energy/avoid emissions.

Other Initiatives in the VIC:

Three beehives and one insect hotel have been set up at the UNOV.

Gardening works on the terraces and in the VIC surroundings have been continuously undertaken to preserve green areas.

The VIC is home to a falcon family, with a live camera installed thanks to the support of the Austrian Authorities, UNEP, and Facility Management Services.

Tap water-consumption and use of reusable water bottles as an alternative to bottled water have been promoted.

Reduction of food-wastage produced by the VIC Cafeteria by joining the “Too Good to Go” initiative.

All unavoidable emissions from UNOV/UNODC are fully compensated through the UN Secretariat's emissions offsetting initiative.

EMS and Reduction Efforts

For the 2023 reporting year, UNOV’s progress on the EMS is rated as: Does not meet.

Environmental Training for Personnel

The Greening the Blue Tutorial is made available on Inspira for staff and personnel as a voluntary training. Management encourages all staff and personnel to take the time to review the tutorial and actively participate in the organization's green initiatives. For the 2023 reporting year, UNOV’s status on providing training on environmental sustainability is: Does not meet.