August 03, 2008	Sunday	Rajab 30, 1429

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 2: In an effort to supplement the efforts of environmentalists, the United Nations has decided to raise its thermostats from 70 F degrees to 77 F degrees throughout its headquarters’ in New York.

On Monday United Nations Secretary-General donned a more casual outfit, as part of the “Cool UN” initiative which seeks to curb the world body’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The three-pronged scheme seeks to limit the use of air-conditioning, slash emissions and save money for the UN, said the spokesperson of the Secretary General at a noon briefing.

“We are not just cutting back suits and ties,” Mr Ban told reporters, adding that the month-long “Cool UN” programme at the Secretariat in New York will make a 10 per cent saving in energy consumption. Use of steam will be cut by more than 4 billion pounds, the equivalent of 300 tons of carbon dioxide in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

The UN estimates that the scheme will also result in financial savings of more than $100,000.

If the initiative is extended beyond August and into the winter, savings will be even greater, UN chief noted.

Calling on the support of the UN family and member states, he said that “ultimately, this will be important for our common efforts in addressing climate change issues.”

The main UN premises in Bangkok, which houses over a dozen of the

OrganiSation’s entities, joined the Secretariat today in rolling out the “Cool UN” scheme.