Greening the UN in Brussels

Eco-dynamic label for UN House in Brussels

The United Nations in Brussels has been awarded an Eco-dynamic label for its UN House building. 

The Eco-dynamic label is an official recognition by the Brussels-Capital Region of good environmental management practices by public and private enterprises and organisations. It rewards their environmental dynamism and their progress in waste management, energy consumption efficiency, eco-procurement and employee mobility.

The label is a 3 stars label, depending on the level of environmental performance within the organisation. The UN House has been awarded 1 star for its implementation of various environmental actions, including the creation of a green focal point in each UN House agency, the decreased use of plastic bottles in meetings, and the encouragement of its staff to use natural light, duplex and black and white printing, electronic archiving and video conferencing when possible. Read more about its actions in French or Dutch.

History of greening the UN in Brussels

In February 2007, heads of UN agencies in Brussels agreed to improve their environmental impact. In June of the same year, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all UN agencies to join the “greening the UN” initiative.

In March 2008, the first edition of a leaflet “Greening UN Brussels” was dispatched to all UN agencies in Brussels. In April of the same year, a first UN Brussels Greening Session was organised to involve UN Brussels staff.

In May 2008, the “Enterprise Eco-Dynamique” Charter was signed by the Director of the UN in Brussels and a green focal point in each UN House agency was designated.

On 18 June 2009, the UN in Brussels was awarded the Eco-dynamic label for its UN House building and, following the UN staff’s continuous efforts, the label was renewed in June 2012 for another three years.