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Our aim - carbon neutral by 2010

The Fiji Times, the nation's oldest newspaper, has already started its campaign to cut by 20% its carbon footprint of 120 tonnes a year, and to become carbon neutral by 2010.

An audit of our power use has been carried out to see where we can cut back on consumption and we are well under way towards replacing any CRT computer monitors with low energy LCD panels.

Fluorescent tubes are being replaced with “greener” lighting and multi-function units are being installed to replace power-hungry stand-alone printers, faxes and copiers.

Lighting timers and green cars are being investigated for the future, with the company also planning a larger range of initiatives that will give the community a way to become involved and which will encourage people to reduce their carbon emissions.

Any future building upgrade will have to consider energy needs, while we are also investigating the carbon generated by the production of our newspapers from the tree to disposal to find ways to reduce it.

Some of these include:

• Minimising the use of urns and replacing them with kettles where possible.
• Recycling paper that has been used on one side only.
• Consolidating servers, printers and copiers (this means that we are replacing stand-alone printers, faxes, copiers with multi-function units that do all those tasks – this takes about 50 percent less power to run).
• Replacing CRT computer monitors with low energy LCD panels (75 % less power used in low energy LCD panels)  
• Reviewing and improving air conditioning, lighting, building management and other facilities-related opportunities
• Using timers where appropriate, particularly for outdoors to improve energy use (Expect to save around $20,
• Providing information and incentives to staff to change their own behaviour and promote awareness in the home.
• Reducing fleet fuel consumption by timely servicing of all vehicles.
• Implementing a Green Procurement Policy encouraging business partners to address their own carbon footprints.

Emissions which cannot be reduced through efficiency or replaced by renewable energy will be offset, to bring The Fiji Times’ total net greenhouse emissions to zero in the next three years.

The Fiji Times has in-house programs running that are creating awareness of global warming and how it affects us all in Fiji.  These programs are both educational and have great benefits in money savings and lifestyle choices.

Our workers have found that they and their families have not only learnt a great deal about global warming and how they can help Fiji manage during this time, but the programs have also helped them save money on their energy bills. The programs also offer prizes at the end of each challenge as a reward for the hard work put in. 

So far the response from those who have made changes has been very positive and we are delighted to see people are making the changes for good. By doing simple things like changing their home’s light bulbs to energy efficient ones and by switching off appliances such as televisions and radios at the wall, some families have made savings of up to $50 in just a month.

By becoming involved in 1 Degree, you can have those savings too and help the environment at the same time. All you need to do is start today.