On May 9th 2007, Rupert Murdoch stated that News Corporation will become a carbon neutral organisation by 2010.
News Corp business units aim to reach this target through energy efficiency measures, buying renewable power and offsetting otherwise unavoidable emissions.
The carbon neutral plan will save nearly 650,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas being emitted into the atmosphere each year.
Initiatives include:
New Corp's net zero emission press release
Herald Sun: Murdoch sets net zero emission goal
In September 2006 the Australian Football League (AFL) announced its intention to become carbon neutral by 2009.
Via a three-year program called 'AFL Green', they aim to neutralise the greenhouse gas emissions generated by its games, business and administrative activities.
Origin Energy and the AFL consulted with the Australian Conservation Foundation to develop the program.
Some of the emissions targeted under the program are lighting at venues, energy used to prepare and serve food at venues, and energy used to move staff and players to and from venues.
To help reduce emissions, the AFL will purchase power from renewable energy sources, including solar and wind. The AFL is also doing energy audits on its facilities to be more efficient in what it uses.
They also aim to offset emissions with credits for planting trees and public education programs about global warming by each club.
Herald Sun: AFL goes Green
CSIRO: AFL goes net zero emissions.
In May 2007, the ANZ Bank pledged to become carbon neutral by the end of 2009 for its Australian and New Zealand operations.
By becoming carbon neutral, ANZ would stop nearly 180,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas entering the atmosphere every year. This is the equivalent of taking almost 36,000 cars off the road.
ANZ aims to eliminate Australian and New Zealand greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing 100 per cent renewable energy sourced from wind, solar, biomass and sustainable hydro sources.
WWF welcomes ANZ's net zero emission targets
In April 2007, KPMG Australia announced that it aims to be carbon neutral by 30 June 2008.
“KPMG in Australia will be the first KPMG firm globally to reach a carbon neutral position, with the Adelaide office as the pilot program,” said Doug Jukes, KPMG’s National Chairman.
KPMG Australia aims to have the Adelaide office carbon neutral by August 2007.
By rolling out the program on an office-by-office basis, a blueprint will be developed to be adopted by other offices in Australia, and subsequently be the pilot program for KPMG to roll out to offices around the world.
The Australian Greenhouse Office’s Greenhouse Friendly program has been adopted to enable KPMG to comply with global standards in its quest to become ‘carbon balanced’.
KPMG's net zero emission press release
The Australian Greenhouse Office’s Greenhouse Friendly website
In December 2006, the Australian division of accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers announced its intention to become carbon neutral by July 2008.
This reduction of carbon dioxide emissions will be achieved by focusing on energy efficiency, increased renewable energy use and offsetting the remaining emissions.
The firm is also looking to maximise video conferencing and other remote location work practices to reduce the need for emissions intensive travel.
The firm said it plans to use the insights it will gain in the process as an educational tool with their clients.
The Age: PwC goes net zero emissions
In March 2007 the National Australia Bank Group (NAB) stated that it aims to be carbon neutral by 30 September 2010. NAB will reduce the greenhouse gas impact of its operations by improving energy efficiency across its international operations, and purchasing offset credits where emissions can’t be avoided.
Initiatives include:
Undertaking energy efficiency assessments and reducing energy use in offices, 790 branches and 158 business banking centres, while also purchasing up to 10% of green energy.
Delivering behavioral change to reduce the amount of energy NAB uses Australia-wide. NAB has set an internal target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.
Purchasing hybrid vehicles for use in the NAB fleet.
Offsetting CO2 emissions produced by vehicles and air travel by purchasing carbon offsets through an accredited Australian supplier.
ANZ net zero emission press release
Courier Mail: ANZ to cut greenhouse impact
In March 2007 City West Water announced plans to become carbon neutral by June 30 2007, or only three months. This is the equivalent of 8000 tonnes less greenhouse gas being released every year.
To achieve carbon neutrality, City West Water will seek to reduce its greenhouse footprint by reducing energy use in its own buildings, treatment plants and operations. They also plan to use renewable energy, and integrate its greenhouse gas emissions reduction program with its extensive water conservation programs by focusing on saving hot water. The latter will include providing households with low flow showerheads and helping industrial and commercial customers reduce their water and energy use. Credible carbon offsets will be used for any remaining energy use.
The Age: City West puts emission in neutral
Victorian Government press release: City West goes net zero emissions
No date specified.
http://www.upi.com/Energy/Briefing/2007/06/13/barclays_going_carbon_neutral/7966/
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