Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NCRA/ANREC’s Environmental Sustainability Initiatives: Carbon Neutral Pledge and More
[Ottawa, September 29, 2023] – The National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) is proud to announce its comprehensive Environmental Sustainability Policy, introduced and approved by the board in January 2022 and its commitment to going carbon neutral. This significant policy positions the NCRA/ANREC at the forefront of environmental advocacy, setting a benchmark for member stations in their efforts against climate change.
The NCRA/ANREC has committed to the Carbon Neutral Pledge, a comprehensive review of their carbon footprint, which encompasses their office operations, travel, and in-person events. A focal point of this strategy is the accountability of travel emissions. When evaluating flights, the organization assesses airlines’ carbon offset programs, integrating the cost of carbon offsetting if not already included.
In terms of their physical office operations, the association already implements sustainable practices like sharing space with other nonprofits and using eco-friendly resources. They further invite stations to participate in the Carbon Neutral Pledge, recognizing the challenges yet emphasizing leadership and initiative.
Leading by example, the NCRA/ANREC offers an array of resources for member stations, available on the environmental tab of the NCRA website. This includes training on sustainable merchandising and collaborations with organizations like Tree Canada for carbon offsetting.
The association’s report gives a detailed account of their carbon emissions from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, with travel being the main contributor. The total carbon emissions amounted to 14 tonnes CO2e, predominantly from business travel.
Partnering with credible organizations, the NCRA/ANREC has offset their carbon footprint with the work being completed by Tree Canada. Moving forward, they aim to continue mitigating carbon emissions, promote online conferences, and conduct yearly carbon emissions audits.
The NCRA/ANREC encourages member stations to utilize resources available on their website, such as the Climate Impact Self Audit. They also endorse the Creative Climate Tools available at IG-Tools for data-driven sustainability reporting. The next sustainability report, covering the 2023/2024 fiscal year, will be presented at the NCRA/ANREC AGM in June 2024. Feedback and insights are welcomed, ensuring the association’s ongoing growth and commitment to environmental impact.
For more information or to share feedback, please contact Executive Director, Barry Rooke at barry@ncra.ca or the Climate Committee Chair, Eloisa Veliz at eloisa@ncra.ca.
