The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a pivotal intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland (CH). Established in 1964, UNCTAD plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable development through trade, investment, and technology. With a focus on developing countries, it operates across various regions, providing valuable insights and policy guidance. UNCTAD's core services include research, capacity-building, and technical assistance, aimed at enhancing the economic prospects of nations. Its unique approach combines economic analysis with practical solutions, making it a trusted partner for governments and stakeholders. Notable achievements include its influential reports on global trade trends and the facilitation of international dialogue on trade and development issues. As a leader in the field, UNCTAD continues to shape policies that foster inclusive economic growth worldwide.
How does Unctad's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Membership Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Unctad's score of 37 is higher than 65% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, UNCTAD reported total carbon emissions of approximately 3.47 billion kg CO2e, comprising 167,001,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 175,815,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and 3,128,519,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. This data reflects a comprehensive assessment of their greenhouse gas emissions across all relevant scopes. For the previous year, 2022, UNCTAD's total emissions were approximately 374,970,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at 177,152,000 kg CO2e and Scope 2 emissions at 197,818,000 kg CO2e. The trend indicates a significant reliance on Scope 3 emissions, which accounted for the majority of their carbon footprint in 2023. Despite the detailed emissions reporting, UNCTAD has not established specific reduction targets or initiatives, as indicated by the absence of documented reduction targets or commitments to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This lack of formal climate pledges suggests a need for enhanced climate action strategies within the organisation. UNCTAD's emissions data is not cascaded from any parent organisation, indicating that the reported figures are independently sourced from their own assessments. The headquarters of UNCTAD is located in Switzerland (CH), and the organisation continues to engage in discussions around climate commitments and sustainable development.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2006 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 3,690,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 268,883,000 | - | - | 0,000,000,000 |
Unctad's Scope 3 emissions, which increased significantly last year and increased significantly since 2006, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. The vast majority of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing the vast majority of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 88% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Unctad has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

