United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (C), dressed in short shirt, talks to two TV reporters at his office at the UN Headquarters in New York, the United States, August 1, 2008. Ban Ki-moon launched "Cool UN" Initiative on Friday, encouraging UN staff to wear cooler attire in summer in order to reduce air conditioning costs and contribute to the environment.[Xinhua]

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday launched a "Cool UN" campaign designed to reduce the use of air conditioning, cut greenhouse gas emissions and save money.

The campaign calls for raising the thermostats in most parts of the UN Secretariat building from 72F (22.2C) to 77F (25C) and from 70 F (21.1C) to 75F (23.9C) for the world body's conference rooms.

The campaign, which will run on a trial basis for the month of August, also involves a shutdown of the building's heating ventilation and air conditioning system over the weekends and a relaxation of the generally formal dress code in place among diplomats and staff at the United Nations.

The secretary-general, himself leading by example, came to work Friday morning wearing a short-sleeve shirt and no tie or jacket, as did many of his senior advisers.

Speaking to reporters in his office this morning, the secretary-general stressed that "We are not just cutting back suits and ties."

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2nd R), dressed in short shirt, attends a meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York, the United States, August 1, 2008. Ban Ki-moon launched "Cool UN" Initiative on Friday, encouraging UN staff to wear cooler attire in summer in order to reduce air conditioning costs and contribute to the environment. [Xinhua Photo]

The month-long campaign will prevent the equivalent of at least 300 tons in carbon dioxide emissions, he noted. It is also expected to save the organization 100,000 US dollars for the month of August. If the initiative is adopted year-round – to include lowering thermostats in winter – the organization could save 1 million US dollars.

"We have succeeded in moving climate change to the top of the international agenda for action, and this means that the UN must take action itself," Ban said. "We must lead by example, and if we are to ask others to take action, we must do so as well."

This marked the first time the dress code will be relaxed at the UN Headquarters. At last December's Bali Climate Change Conference, formal negotiations were held in more casual attire and at the upcoming climate change negotiations later this month in Accra, Ghana, conference participants have been invited to dress more comfortably.

If the experiment is successful, the initiative could be extended beyond August. During the winter months, the process could be reversed and staff and delegates could be asked to dress more warmly, which would also reduce energy consumption, emissions and heating costs.

The secretary-general has called on all parts of the UN system to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Several agencies, including the UN Environment Program (UNEP), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), have moved towards becoming climate neutral.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2008)