GREENING UNOG

ANATOLI KONDRACHOV
CHIEF, CENTRAL SUPPORT SERVICES (CSS), UNOG

Recently, UNOG has signed two contracts with the Services Industriels de Genève (SIG) which will have a positive impact on the environment. These contracts concern the use of the Geneva Lake water for air-conditioning and the replacement of heating oil by natural gas.
By adhering to the “Genève-Lac-Nations” (GLN) and “Natural gas” projects proposed by the SIG, UNOG demonstrates its engagement in sustainable development, promotes the implementation of effective, efficient and innovative solutions, by example, and proves that energy performance may be compatible with economic performances.

The purpose of this article is therefore to inform the readers of the above and of the other measures taken and to be taken to «green» UNOG, in line with the United Nations environmental policy.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PALAIS DES NATIONS
The old building was built between 1929 and 1938, the D wing in 1950–1952 and the E-building, called new building, between 1968 and 1973. Electrical installations, wiring, sanitation and windows of the old building date from the 1930s.

 

Buildings/Park

• Ariana Park : 46 ha/111 acres
• Floor area : 153,500 sq.m/37 acres
• Compound access gates : 9 (4 in use)
• Building doors : 49
• Conference rooms : 34
• Number of offices : 2,800
• Number of elevators : 50
• Pipes : about 200 kilometres
• Cabling : about 1,500 kilometres
• Windows (PN only) : 1,680
• Staff working daily : 4,000

 

Use of the buildings (annually)

• Meetings : 9,000
• Delegates : 28,000
• Visitors : 100,000

 

GENÈVE-LAC-NATIONS PROJECT (GLN)
The project consists in supplying the Palais des Nations as well as other international organizations buildings with the Geneva Lake water for cooling their premises.

 

The project presents the following advantages for UNOG:

• Use of 100 % renewable energy (Geneva Lake water).
• Reduction of electricity consumption by 490 MWh/year.
    – without GLN: 15’100 MWh/year
    – with GLN: 14’610 MWh/year
• Reduction of drinking water consumption by 8,000 m³/year.
    – without GLN : 150,000 m³/year
    – with GLN : 142,000 m³/year
• Reduction of maintenance costs for chilled water production installations by 15,000 fr./year.
    – without GLN : 45,000 fr./year
    – with GLN : 30,000 CHF/year

NATURAL GAS PROJECT
The project consists in using the natural gas as a substitute for the heating oil used until now and presents the following advantages for UNOG :

• Reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions for the hot water production by 1,280 metric tons/year.
• using heating oil (1,800 m³) : 5,500 metric tons/year
• using gas (1,660,000 m³) : 4,220 metric tons/year
• Reduction of NOx (nitrogen oxide – NO and nitrogen dioxide – NO₂) and SO₂ (sulphur dioxide) emissions.
• No more vehicles for heating oil delivery.

 

OTHER MEASURES ALREADY TAKEN BY UNOG

• Asbestos removal in the Assembly Hall (1994–1996).
• Asbestos stabilization in the conference area of the E-Building (1999–2000).
• For all renovation and maintenance works within the Palais des Nations, Central Support Services (CSS) comply with the following principles/policies :
    – selection of ecologically adequate construction products,
    – pollution limitation during works (painting, glue, etc.), through a better protection of the areas concerned,
    – use of cleaning products in conformity with the legislation on biodegradability (European Parliament regulation No. 68/2004).
• In order to reduce energy loss, the thermal insulation of the Palais des Nations roofs has been improved (19,745 sq. m already done, 68 % of total).
• Replacement of 3,288 earphones by mercury free devices.
• Use of 100 % renewable energy (hydropower stations).
• From 2000 to 2007, the consumption of electricity was reduced by 10,625,758 KWh, by installing more economic lights and automatic control devices (including light motion sensors) and replacing chilled water units.
• From 2000 to 2007, the consumption of drinking water was reduced by 710,885m³, by replacing pipes and flushing units, including installation of double flush toilet systems.
• Waste management by activity (new waste collection and recycling centres).
• Purchase of 800 tons of paper made out of “Sustainable Managed Forests” out of 1,000 tons annually (remaining 200 tons represent 100 recycled + 100 special).
• Installation of two different types of bin in all offices of the Palais des Nations, to collect waste by category, recyclable and non-recyclable.
• Own production of green fertilisers (350–400 m³/year) out of organic waste for further use in the park of the Palais.
• Use of sheeps instead of grass cutting machines (during three months a year).

 

UNOG’S FUTURE PROJECTS

• Replacement of the old system of used water evacuation by a new network separating used and rain waters according to new local legislation (the first phase is planned for 2008).
• Installation of 60 sq. m of solar panels for the hot sanitary water production in buildings A, B, C, D, K and S. It is planned to install approximately the same number of sq. m during the next biennium in order to cover the total production of hot sanitary water.
• Continuation of the programme concerning the installation of light motion sensors and double flush toilet systems.
  • Reduction of the use of private cars and thus pollution reduction. It is envisaged to create additional :
    – 140 parking space for bicycles (new total 233),
    – 32 parking space for motorcycles (new total 96),
    – 6 showers (new total 37).
• Progressive replacement of the old official cars with ecological ones (terms of reference are under review).
• Progressive replacement of the old fuel based gardening equipment with electrical ones and/or use of ecological fuel (A/KY/CC) for the grass cutting machines.

The Central Support Services would like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to contribute to sustainable development.