Environmental Policy Statement
Vienna Working Group for Sustainable Publishing
The following organizational entities at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Conference Management Service and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Division of Conference and Document Services (MTCD):
• English, Publishing and Library Section (EPLS)
• Planning, Coordination and Meetings Section, Documents Management Unit (PCMS/DMU)
• Planning, Coordination and Meetings Section, Reproduction and Distribution Unit (PCMS/RDU)
• Publishing Section (MTCD/PUB), IAEA
Accept their environmental responsibilities and recognize their obligations to reduce their environmental impact within their own section or unit and throughout UNOV and the IAEA, respectively, as well as with their customers, suppliers and subcontractors. EPLS, PCMS/DMU, PCMS/RU and MTCD/PUB pledge to raise awareness and promote decisions that lead to environmentally sustainable practices. We aim to reflect that commitment by emphasizing sustainability in our business practices via our values and policies. We see this as a continuous process and seek to improve our performance and that of our suppliers.
Environmental impact
The principal adverse environmental impacts arising from our activities are:
• Consumption of natural resources in the development, production and distribution of publishing projects and general office operations;
• Emission into the atmosphere of harmful substances from the use of carbon-based energy sources in the production and distribution of publishing projects and general office operations;
• The environmental performance of suppliers;
• The generation of waste materials.
Commitment to improve
EPLS, PCMS/DMU, PCMS/RDU and MTCD/PUB are committed to:
• Minimizing our carbon footprint in order to work towards carbon-neutral operations;
• Preventing pollution by reducing and eliminating waste;
• Energy saving and the use of sustainable raw materials, particularly wood-fibre and energy from renewable sources, wherever practicable;
• Working with customers and suppliers towards a controlled use of recycled and sustainable material and energy sources;
• Complying with applicable legal requirements and regulations;
• Encouraging all staff members to become more aware of their impact on the environment and of their personal responsibility for environmental issues;
• Developing documented environmental policies, procedures and systems to achieve the goal of ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Standard certification;
• Continually improving our environmental performance.
Signed on 15 December 2010, by the Chief, Conference Management Service, UNOV
Signed on 15 December 2010, by the Director, Division of Conference and Document Services, IAEA