by John Kluempers

23 January 2007

Bonn, Germany: Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) is to integrate the principles of sustainable development while reversing the loss of environmental resources. Preserving the Earth’s resources is the duty of all people, governments, and companies on the planet, including the United Nations. In doing their part, as of 1 January, all 13 UN organizations residing in Bonn, including UNV, are drawing their electricity from renewable energy sources.

Bonn’s utilities company Stadtwerke Bonn together with the Naturstrom Rheinland-Pfalz won the contract to supply the energy for the 12 UN organizations located in the recently refurbished former German parliamentary building known as ‘Langer Eugen’ as well as ‘Haus Carstanjen’ where the UNFCCC climate secretariat still resides. The electricity needed will be generated at a Swiss hydroelectric power station and from German wind power.

To mark the occasion of the new agreement, representatives from the city of Bonn, local companies, and the UN, including UNV Executive Coordinator Ad de Raad, held a press conference on Monday. There, the climate secretariat’s Deputy Executive Secretary Richard Kinley told those present that the UN must not forget that it as well must act locally in dealing with global warming.

The use of renewable energies by the UN organizations in Bonn will do much to reduce the output of harmful greenhouse gases. Annually, 3,100 tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be cut, 60% less than the CO2 produced by conventional energy sources.

For Bonn, where 550 UN employees work, the deal underscores the close relationship between the city and the UN.

Michael Müller, parliamentary liaison in the German environment ministry, believes that more than just a significant contribution to greenhouse gas reduction could come of the agreement.

“I hope that more public institutions follow the UN’s example in Bonn and switch to renewable energy sources,” he said.