Walking the talk – IUCN opens one of Europe’s greenest office buildings
4 June 2010, Gland (Switzerland). IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, inaugurates its new Conservation Centre today, setting a benchmark for sustainable office construction.
The showcase, eco-friendly office, which provides up to 140 workspaces in more than 2,000 m², was built in less than two years thanks to the contributions of Holcim, Philips, Kinnarps, Romande Energie, Commune of Gland, MAVA Foundation and others. An extension of IUCN’s certified Natural Garden was funded by Loterie Romande.
A 50-year interest free loan of CHF 20 million for the construction was provided by the Swiss Confederation.
“The new IUCN Conservation Centre is a milestone in our history,” says IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre. “It allows IUCN to house all of its global Headquarters staff and increase partnerships for action with other key organisations co-located with us. The new building also demonstrates our wish to ‘walk the talk’ by using the most innovative features and meeting the strictest green standards.”
