Environmental Management Peer Review

The UN Secretary General has expressed his determination to have the UN lead by example and maintain sustainability as a top priority.

In 2012, the EMG Senior Officials, inspired by the OECD, UNECE and others, established a peer-review process on the environmental performance of volunteer EMG members. A peer review differentiates from traditional environmental and energy audits and is guided by mutual trust among peers, voluntary participation, factual evidence, independent assessment and non-binding recommendations.

A review is carried out by Peer Review teams composed of representatives from UN entities, international organizations, and stakeholders such as local government authorities. A Peer Review Body (PRB), composed of representatives from various UN entities, has a supervisory and reviewing function including finalizing the recommendations. The PRB reports to the EMG SOM and is supported by the EMG Secretariat.

Every Peer Review Report includes a review of greenhouse gas emissions from travel and buildings. In addition, the reviewed entity chooses to include two or more optional themes such as procurement, waste management, water management, ICT and meetings, local transport, staff awareness, training and environmental liability.

The Peer Review process contributes to strengthen the environmental performance of participating entities.