In June 2007, News Limited launched One Degree – an initiative to reducegreenhouse gas emissions across our business and to raise awareness ofclimate change among our staff and the broader community.

One Degree isnow part of the way we do things; and we are now well on the way toachieving our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2010.

Queensland Newspapers is the publisher of the daily The Courier-Mail, Brisbane’s largest circulating newspaper The SundayMail, mX and the Brisbane News. It also operates a major modern printcentre in Murarrie.

In the year to June 2007, Queensland Newspapers had a carbon footprint of 21,564 tonnes.

Through One Degree, Queensland Newspapers’ is aiming to provide aplatform for positive and sustainable change through leadership,education, consultation and participation. In early 2007, TheCourier-Mail ran a successful in paper series titled ‘Green Earth’ (www.1degree.com.au/resources/bookshelf) which helped engage the community and raise awareness.

Other programs aimed at staff have included staff participationthrough MAYDAY program (‘Make Your Day a Different Way’) to encouragealternative transport arrangements and the harnessing of State andNational initiatives to drive personal commitment to change eg.‘National Ride to Work Day’.

Both major sites have been audited since the launch of One Degreeto identify energy saving opportunities. Major energy improvements arebeing generated from new chillers at both major sites, and through theinstallation of building management software at Bowen Hills. QueenslandNewspapers has already been able to save 125,000 kwh/annum through airconditioning modifications and an additional 30,000 kwh/annum throughlighting modifications. An active approach to good housekeeping acrossthe entire business is addressing emissions from additional areas suchas water heating, IT and transport.

Over the next four years, all company vehicles will be replaced withlower emission vehicles and the relocation of the Bowen Hills buildingwill be undertaken in accordance with green building standards tomaximise energy efficiency.

Quest Newspapers publishes 18 newspapers whichreach nearly one million people each week across Brisbane, the SunshineCoast and Ipswich. The newspapers are printed at Murarrie.

In the year to June 2007, Quest Newspapers had a carbon footprint of 1,337 tonnes of CO2 eq.

Quest has already started to reduce its own emissions by settingtimers on outdoor lights. Further lighting improvements are planned andtimers will also be installed on air-conditioning. Video-conferencingto reduce travel is being investigated, along with powering-downsoftware to reduce the use of stand-by power on IT equipment.

A turn-off-monitors program has proved successful with individualmonitors not complying being tagged. Mapping of light switches toensure only required lighting is turned on has also begun.

In 2007, Quest launched the Business Achiever water challenge. Thisexciting program saw Quest Newspapers working with the University ofQueensland to use Quest as a site for trials into development of solarhot water technology.