Gold Coast goes green
News Ltd’s The Gold Coast Bulletin has produced a one-off carbon neutral newspaper.
The announcement:
Gold Coast Publications went carbon neutral to produce a weekend edition of The Gold Coast Bulletin.
The special one-off ‘green’ edition of the Bulletin was printed last month and is the first time a News Limited division has turned the production of a newspaper carbon neutral.
Editor of the Gold Coast Bulletin, Dean Gould, said the emissions normally created in the Gold Coast Bulletin’s efforts to produce the newspaper were offset through the purchase of verified carbon credits.
“Just as people might choose to buy carbon offsets when booking a flight, the Bulletin bought offsets to cover the production of the paper,” Mr Gould said.
Although the carbon neutral production was a one-off, Australia’s largest regional newspaper is well on its way to becoming greener every day.
The Gold Coast Bulletin is leading the way in News Limited’s One Degree campaign, which aims to reduce its carbon footprint through energy efficiency and the purchase of renewable energy, and to have all its operating divisions carbon neutral by the end of 2010.
In the year ending June 2009, News Limited’s carbon footprint was 135,550 tonnes. The One Degree Initiative has already achieved a 6.8% reduction in News Limited’s carbon footprint, saving around 9,800 tonnes of greenhouse gases from News Limited’s operations across Australia. News Digital Media, part of News Limited, is already carbon neutral.
One Degree was launched in May 2007 when News Corporation chairman and chief executive, Rupert Murdoch, announced it was necessary to ‘give the planet the benefit of the doubt’ when it came to climate change.
Mr Gould said he was proud the Gold Coast Bulletin was on track to meet its deadline to be carbon neutral by the end of year.
“Over the past four years the Gold Coast Bulletin has introduced dozens of initiatives to help fight climate change,” he said.
“Most of what we have done is fairly simple but has been effective. Once your thinking embraces this stuff the results follow.”
In the year to June 2009, Gold Coast Publications, which publishes the Gold Coast Bulletin and Sun Newspapers at its Gold Coast print centre, had a carbon footprint of 4,822 tonnes. Since 2005/06, The Bulletin has reduced its carbon emissions by 13 per cent by focusing on energy efficiency at its offices and print centre, reducing business air travel and reducing the fuel used by its fleet of vehicles.
How the Gold Coast Bulletin has reduced its carbon footprint:
• 72% reduction in emissions from business air travel
• 57% reduction from the use of on-site diesel generators
• 44% reduction from the Bulletin vehicle fleet
• 11% reduction from electricity use
• 70% of lighting now operates at high energy efficiency
• Lighting presence sensors have been installed in print centre store rooms and washrooms to prevent lighting of areas that are not being used, and are planned to be rolled out across other areas
• Rapid closing roller doors have been installed at the print centre to reduce leakage of air conditioned air
• Smaller more efficient compressors have been commissioned to prevent the use of larger energy intensive units
• Plans are underway to improve the efficiency of IT and on-site generators
Employees at the Gold Coast Bulletin are also being encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint through an ‘Active Engagement Program’ which stages regular staff events and carbon reduction incentives.
Events so far have included luncheons with prominent environmental speakers and ‘win your electricity bills for a year’ rewards challenges. Staff members are also encouraged to car pool, walk, ride or catch public transport to work and, once a quarter, breakfast is provided to staff who take up these initiatives. The One Degree carbon calculator helps staff and the public to measure and identify ways to save energy and money in practical and easy ways.
The newspaper industry has also introduced many other environmental initiatives. Modern inks are now biodegradable, while news print is made of recycled paper and ‘thinnings’ – the wood waste from the timber industry.
News Limited Environment and Climate Change Manager Dr Tony Wilkins said the Gold Coast Bulletin was a great success story.
‘‘They’ve worked tirelessly to reduce their carbon footprint over the past few years,’’ he said.
“‘Energy efficiency is at the heart of One Degree, so they’re setting an excellent example for other Queensland businesses in how to be more efficient, doing more with fewer resources.
‘‘One Degree of change by everyone, every day will change the future of the planet.’’
Source: News Ltd press release
