02 March 2011
Rio Tinto partners with CitySmart for a sustainable Brisbane
Rio Tinto has announced a new three-year partnership with CitySmart, Brisbane City Council's sustainability agency, to help support its bid to make the city carbon neutral by 2026.
As a CitySmart Foundation Partner, Rio Tinto will work with other local businesses and agencies to support innovative projects designed to make Brisbane Australia's most sustainable city.
Rio Tinto Energy vice president Fiona Nicholls accepted a commemorative plaque from CitySmart CEO Megan Houghton to mark the start of the partnership.
"Rio Tinto employs more than 7500 people at our coal, bauxite, alumina and aluminium operations in Queensland, and around 2000 people in Brisbane," Ms Nicholls said.
"We are committed to long term sustainable principles in the way we mine, and have programmes in place to help us manage our energy use and cut our greenhouse gas emissions at our mine sites, and within our corporate office in Brisbane."
Rio Tinto's Brisbane-based employees will be encouraged to get involved in the partnership by signing up to the EzyGreen energy reduction program, which is an initiative of Brisbane City Council in partnership with the Queensland Government and being delivered by CitySmart.
EzyGreen is an easy-to-use program helps greater Brisbane residents to save energy, save costs and do something good for the environment.
"Our employees are being encouraged to join the 45,000-plus Brisbane residents who have already signed up to access high quality products and services at a discounted rate that can help reduce their energy use at home," Ms Nicholls said.
"These include special powerboards that minimise energy use when appliances are on standby, discounted solar hot water and solar power systems, vouchers for energy efficient appliances and renewable energy offers, including 20 per cent GreenPower at no extra cost."
Ms Nicholls said the partnership would also assist Rio Tinto's support of local businesses and organisations.
"During the recent floods in Brisbane our employees teamed up with the Brisbane City Council in clean up work and with CitySmart to assist on the day at the Queensland Ride Relief event featuring Lance Armstrong," Ms Nicholls said.
"Our association with CitySmart and the EzyGreen program will help us bring long term benefits for both the environment and our Brisbane community."
CitySmart CEO Megan Houghton said she was delighted to welcome one of the mining industry's sustainability leaders on board.
"CitySmart has more than 25 partners in our business program from local organisations through to global businesses in industries such as financial services, legal, media, energy, resources, hospitality and retail - all with a focus on achieving more sustainable outcomes," Ms Houghton said.
"As well as facilitating some exciting and innovative sustainability projects, CitySmart runs an annual calendar of networking and community-based events to connect Brisbane-based organisations with the common goal of making our city Australia's most sustainable.
"Rio Tinto, with its focus on sustainable development and years of experience implementing energy management programs at its sites, will prove a valuable CitySmart Foundation Partner."
Through its partnership with CitySmart, Rio Tinto last month organised for 78 of its employees to volunteer to help clean up after the floods as part of the Brisbane City Council clean up and assist during Lance Armstrong's Queensland Ride for Relief charity bike ride. Rio Tinto will continue to offer its employees the opportunity to get involved in a range of initiatives.
-ENDS-
Media enquiries:
Rio Tinto: Alison Smith 0438 787 038
CitySmart: Graham Witherspoon - 0424 435 345
Media release - Rio Tinto partners with CitySmart for a sustainable Brisbane [PDF: 20 KB]