The pledge for the Hearst premises to become carbon neutral was made in 2008, and since then an Environment Committee representing all aspects of the business has steered through an imaginative green programme, entitled Planet Hearst.
An impressive reduction in CO2 emissions was achieved through a combination of quick wins and major improvements that included installing movement sensitive lighting, motor speed inverters, more efficient boilers and smart metering. Hearst introduced a Cycle-to-Work scheme and has worked with Transport for London to provide more showers, lockers and racks for cyclists. Hearst also raised several thousand pounds for literacy schemes by encouraging staff to donate to the Oxfam Collects at Work scheme.
To promote biodiversity and staff engagement, Hearst has a green roof designed by the living roof pioneer Dusty Gedge. Beehives containing 70,000 bees are tended by staff volunteers under the guidance of Dr Luke Dixon and in their first year, 2013, produced 120lbs of honey, while organic vegetables are grown on another section of the roof.
Hearst UK’s Facilities Director, Diane Thorpe, says: “We have worked hard to reach our goal of becoming carbon neutral and the measures we have introduced have saved us money. They are good for business as well as the environment.”
