MEDIA

Covering The Planet:
Environmentalism In A Media World

President George W. Bush's controversial policies may have put environmental news back onto Page One, but are the issues getting the media treatment they deserve? Do stories like the toxic air around New York's Ground Zero get enough attention? In struggles over massive projects like India's Narmada Dam, do all sides have an equal media voice? From local industry to international treaties, ecological issues directly affect our communities, food supply, health and the sustainability of our economic development. So why isn't the ecosystem a primary news beat like sports, politics and business?

Is it a journalist's job to "speak for the planet"? Is environmentalism an "agenda"? How do the media industries themselves affect the natural world?

The environment and newspapers

Guardian Newspapers Ltd environment policy

Methods
Guardian Newspapers Ltd will strive to achieve the aims outlined above, in the following ways:

Legislation
To comply with all applicable acts of parliament, regulations and standards in the UK, as well as those applicable in countries from which we source the products and materials we use in our business.

Procurement
To purchase energy, water, raw materials, work equipment, transport, stationery, furniture, fittings and services from renewable or environmentally sympathetic sources. We also aim to influence the performance of our business partners, contractors and suppliers to achieve at least the same environmental standards as our own.

Energy Management
Monitor, manage and reduce consumption of energy, and aim to reduce CO2 emissions in our offices, their associated activities and print sites owned by GNL. This will be achieved through the use of energy-reducing technologies, encouraging more sustainable practices and using renewable resources where practical. Endeavour to influence our suppliers to do the same.

Waste Management
To eliminate, reduce, re-use, re-cycle or dispose of waste in an environmentally acceptable manner in our offices, their associated activities and print sites owned by GNL. Endeavour to influence our suppliers to do the same.

Emissions
Manage and reduce potentially harmful emissions to air from chemicals, paints, mechanical plant and equipment and ensure compliance with environmental legislation in our offices, their associated activities and print sites owned by GNL. Endeavour to influence our suppliers to do the same. Water Management Monitor, manage and reduce water consumption in our offices, their associated activities and print sites owned by GNL. Ensure that the maintenance of water systems is of the highest order to ensure wastage is kept to a minimum and that discharges comply with environmental legislation. Endeavour to influence our suppliers to do the same.

Continuous Improvement
Provide the structure to manage a framework for continual environmental improvement, allowing for the adoption of new ideas and innovations obtained from the widest possible range of sources. Report back to stakeholders on environmental performance annually through GNL's Social, Ethical and Environmental Audit.

Monitor and Review
Set and prioritise targets and key performance indicators to underpin the framework for continuous improvement. Report back to stakeholders on environmental performance through GNL's social, ethical and environmental audit which is published annually. The GNL board will receive monthly updates on environmental issues at each board meeting.

This Policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains effective in meeting the requirements of the Statement of Intent, and is in line with our broader business strategy.