John Hartigan, chief executive of News Limited says work underway within the company has so far identified around 125 projects to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next two years by 20 per cent as part of News Limited’s publicised commitment to be carbon neutral by 2010.

Hartigan says, “Over 80 per cent of all energy used by News Limited across Australia has been audited during the first year. Energy reduction plans developed by each division in early 2007 have been implemented and are being updated this year with more aggressive goals incorporating the findings of the audits.”

He continues, “We are making changes to air conditioning, lighting and building management across all of our facilities, and outside our print centres and offices are reducing fleet fuel consumption, implementing a Green Procurement Policy and encouraging staff to change their own behaviour.”

Tony Wilkins, manager of environment and climate change for News Limited, says the company expects to be reporting on meaningful cuts to greenhouse gas emissions when audited figures are available next year. In the year to June 2007, News Limited generated 163, 838 tonnes of CO2.

Wilkins concludes, “While audited figures from our first year won’t be available until 2009, we have already achieved a number of milestones including News Digital Media achieving carbon neutral status in March this year.”

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