## 2019 Environmental Sustainability Report

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [2019 Environmental Sustainability Report](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/topics/environment/2019-environmental-sustainability-report.pdf)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/-/media/files/topics/environment/2019-environmental-sustainability-report.pdf.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/topics/environment/2019-environmental-sustainability-report.pdf.json)

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### Leadership message
- The Fund’s 10-year environmental sustainability journey began with a vision for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of Headquarters buildings and expanded into a mission to reduce the Fund’s overall footprint.
- The Report summarizes achievements and areas for further institutional action for the period January 1, 2019 — December 31, 2019.
- In 2020 the Fund intended to focus on 2030 goals using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guide; operational goals will be broad-based and involve all departments and operations.
- Jennifer Lester, Director, Corporate Services and Facilities, emphasized that environmental sustainability requires collective action and changes in habits.

### IMF support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- The Fund supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in a variety of ways.
- SDG 13 (Climate Action): See Fund actions to reduce its carbon footprint (report pages referenced in source).
- SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): See the Fund’s purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and carbon offsets (report pages referenced in source).
- SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): See the Fund’s initiatives towards Waste Management (report pages referenced in source).

### Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions — entity-wide (2019)
- Entity-wide GHG emissions by scope (2019): SCOPE 1 = 5%, SCOPE 2 = 25%, SCOPE 3 = 71%.
- GHG emissions comparison, 2018 vs. 2019 (metric tons of CO2e shown in source):
  - 2018 values shown: 3,107; 19,632; 49,998; 72,737 (graph values as presented).
  - 2019 values shown: 15,244; 2,894; 43,362; 61,500 (graph values as presented).
- Historical view (2010 to 2019):
  - GHG emissions decreased by 10.46%, or 7,183 Metric Tons of CO2e.
  - This reduction is equivalent to emissions from 1,525 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
- From 2018 to 2019, the three sectors with the greatest reductions:
  - PURCHASED ELECTRICITY: 22.35% reduction or 4,389 or the equivalent of 932 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
  - BUSINESS TRAVEL: 14.45% reduction or 6,603 or the equivalent of 1,402 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
  - SHIPPING AND FREIGHT: 11.01% reduction or 6.2 or the equivalent of 4.5 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
- Analysis statements:
  - 2019 GHG emissions were lower than 2018 emissions across all scopes.
  - Total GHG emissions were 15% lower in 2019 than in 2018.

### Carbon offsets & renewable energy purchases
- The Fund invested in carbon offset projects across 10 countries over the past 10 years to offset remaining emissions after reductions.
- Country carbon offset (as presented):
  - Mexico 52K (2 Projects)
  - Honduras 10K (1 Project)
  - Brazil 89K (3 Projects)
  - Chile 58K (1 Project)
  - Uganda 300K (1 Project)
  - Turkey 2K (1 Project)
  - Thailand 10K (1 Project)
  - India 390K (10 Projects)
  - Vietnam 120 K (1 Project)
  - China 77K (4 Projects)
- Project types listed: CLEAN ENERGY, HYDROPOWER, WIND POWER, GREEN TRANSPORTATION, SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS.
- Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs):
  - The Fund partnered with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to invest in U.S.-based green energy projects (RECs) to offset the equivalent energy used by the Fund’s Headquarters.
  - Examples cited: Buffalo Dunes Wind Project, Chisolem View Wind Project.
- Since 2013 the Fund has reported its GHG footprint collectively to UN Environment and has achieved Carbon Neutrality for local operations; conservation efforts are included in the UN Greening the Blue report.

### Waste management
- Event waste reduction:
  - Limiting printed posters and switching to digital screens reduced non-recyclable or non-compostable waste.
- Library and subscriptions:
  - The Joint IMF/World Bank Library reduced hard-copy news subscriptions by 40% through outreach and e-resources.
- Food and dining waste:
  - Sodexo, using the Leanpath method, measured a 54% reduction in food waste.
  - This translates to 43,988 meals saved and 22 tons of food waste avoided.
- Office supply and electronic waste:
  - 2019 Office Supply Swap day created $7,000 in cost avoidance.
  - 50,000 pounds of electronic waste from global offices were either donated or recycled responsibly.
- Waste generation and diversion:
  - Waste generation decreased by 14% between 2017 and 2019 for HQ1 and HQ2.
  - Waste diversion rate decreased by approximately 4%.
- Mail reduction:
  - The Fund unsubscribed from 2,250 pounds of unwanted mail, diverting 4.5 tons of paper mail from being sent, distributed and potentially ending up in a landfill.
- Additional initiatives:
  - The Book Nook (introduced July 2019) provides staff with a place to share books.
  - The overall decrease in waste generation is described as equivalent to the weight of approximately 3 empty space shuttles of avoided waste.

### Water management and green awards
- Water usage:
  - Water usage decreased by 5% between 2018 and 2019.
  - This decrease in water usage equates to approximately 4 Olympic swimming pools worth of water.
- Building certifications and awards:
  - HQ2 was awarded Energy Star certification in 2019.
  - The IMF has maintained LEED Gold status since 2009 (including through a recent major renovation of HQ1).
  - HQ2 has maintained a LEED Platinum status since 2013.

### Annual & Spring Meetings
- Per participant emissions decreased by 12% when compared to 2018 figures, despite a greater number of international participants.
- The decrease in per participant emissions was in part due to an 11% decrease in kilometers traveled per participant.
- Annual and Spring meeting delegate travel is fully carbon offset, as are operations involving energy, waste and water use.

### The way forward — institutional focus areas
- The Fund will continue to improve existing programs, focusing on:
  - ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  - WATER CONSERVATION
  - RESPONSIBLE PURCHASING
  - WASTE REDUCTION & DIVERSION
  - TRANSPORTATION

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/topics/environment/2019-environmental-sustainability-report.pdf_