Telstra is a Supporting Partner of WWF's Earth Hour 2010

Telstra is proud to be supporting WWF’s Earth Hour, an epic global event taking place on Saturday 27 March 2010, between 8.30-9.30pm.  The initiative is encouraging businesses, schools, individuals and cities around the world to switch off their lights for one hour sending a strong message to world leaders that climate change demands urgent action.

As a Supporting Partner, Telstra has generously donated £10,000 gift-in-kind to increase the capacity of our communications network so WWF can accommodate the extra files, images and film clips sent to them in the week leading up to WWF's Earth Hour and during Saturday 27th March - around WWF's Earth Hour itself.

WWF-UK – Charity of the Year Partnership

Telstra International is committed to providing good stewardship of the environment and is proud to have chosen WWF-UK as its Charity of the Year partner.

This means that funds raised from forthcoming Telstra staff and community events will be donated to the WWF-UK.

What does WWF-UK do?

WWF-UK is the UK arm of the WWF Network, the world’s leading environmental organisation founded in 1961 and now active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Using our unique combination of practical experience, knowledge and credibility, our 300-strong staff work with governments, businesses and communities both here in the UK and around the world so that people and nature thrive within their fair share of the planet’s natural resources.

How do Telstra and WWF work together?

This is not the first time the WWF and Telstra have combined forces. Earlier this year Telstra Corporation partnered with the WWF in Australia to launch a White Paper that highlights how Information and Communication Technology can improve environmental sustainability for large organisations and deliver positive commercial outcomes. Click here to view the report.

To learn more about WWF-UK

Telstra International’s commitment to the community extends from charitable activities to working to achieve Carbon Trust accreditation.   As a result of an Energy Awareness report produced by the Carbon Trust, the following changes were implemented at Telstra’s London Hosting Centre – Docklands:

• All power is now from sustainable sources;
• Lights in common areas of the building have been converted to T5 bulbs. T5 bulbs last 24,000 hours, compared with 9,000 hours for the bulbs Telstra used previously.  The number of light fittings has been reduced, and occupancy sensors have been fitted in meeting rooms and common areas of the building;
• New variable speed pumps are being installed – these are 40% more efficient than the existing pumps;
• New facilities are in place to recycle all plastics, cardboard, paper and glass – Telstra also offers this service to all of its customers at the LHC- Docklands to help customers in meeting their own sustainability targets.

In addition, the following initiatives have been introduced at all Telstra International’s main sites in the UK:

• Recycling of refuse, including paper, cardboard and plastic;
• Switch off software has been installed on PCs and laptops, putting them into hibernation when inactive for a long period;
• Lighting switch off –security staff make sure all lights are switched off at the end of the day.

This is just a sample of the initiatives that Telstra International has put in place in order to fulfil its commitment to the community. 

Please also view our latest environmental news articles :

• Telstra sets carbon target: 10% reduction by 2015
• Addressing sustainability and putting money in the bank
• Costing the Earth - Virtual Warming (radio interview - mp3)