23 Aug 2021
Media24 greens its business in response to pandemic
Media24 is South Africa’s leading print and digital media company. It also wants to make a difference in the world. In fact, the company has taken time during the pandemic to ensure its operations are robustly sustainable.
Media24 is South Africa’s leading print and digital media company. Its purpose is to build communities through excellent journalism, smart technology and innovative services – but that isn’t the only way it wants to make a difference in the world. In fact, the company has taken time during the pandemic to ensure its operations are robustly sustainable.
Carbon neutral operations
One major way Media24 has seized the initiative is in mitigating its carbon emissions. Through auditing carbon emissions, as part of the Naspers process, the company is measuring, monitoring and improving its carbon footprint (Scope 1–3). The expectation is for year-on-year reductions. The company is already carbon neutral in 2021.
As part of a Naspers initiative, the company invests in carbon emission reduction projects to help meet its goal. Media24 has partnered with the South Pole Group to purchase carbon credits to offset scope 1 and 2 emissions that result from direct consumption of electricity, diesel, petrol, and natural gas.
By choosing to invest in carbon emission reduction projects that enable local communities to transition to a lower carbon economy, these credits go even further in reducing the unsustainable amount of carbon generated globally.
Other energy-efficiency measures include installing energy-efficient/ motion-activated lighting in all owned buildings and including solar power as part of the plans for the company’s new Gauteng head office in Randburg.
Fewer materials, less waste
Media24 has an ongoing program to collect unsold newspapers and magazines to be pulped and recycled. When the pandemic hit in 2020, it changed ways of working and within its own offices, the company has taken this opportunity to reduce its dependence on printed materials. It has also introduced biodegradable packaging for printed subscriber copies where viable.
Other measures taken to create a more sustainable company include reducing air travel, and shifting the emphasis of its well-established staff-run corporate social investment (CSI) projects to food security by supporting feeding schemes and community food gardens.
Of the initiatives the company has taken to strengthen its sustainability profile, CEO Ishmet Davidson said, “We have built a strong foundation for the next phase of our journey of sustainable profitability in an increasingly digital world.”
About Naspers
Established in 1915, Naspers has transformed itself to become a global consumer internet company and one of the largest technology investors in the world. Through Prosus, the group operates and invests globally in markets with long-term growth potential, building leading consumer internet companies that empower people and enrich communities. Prosus has its primary listing on Euronext Amsterdam, and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Naspers is the majority owner of Prosus.
In South Africa, Naspers is one of the foremost investors in the technology sector and is committed to building its internet and ecommerce companies. These include Takealot, Mr D Food, Superbalist, Autotrader, Property24 and PayU, in addition to Media24, South Africa’s leading print and digital media business.
Naspers has a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (NPN.SJ), a secondary listing on the A2X Exchange (NPN.AJ) in South Africa, and has a level 1 American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme which trades on an over-the-counter basis in the United States of America.
For more information, please visit www.naspers.com.
Naspers Labs
In 2019, Naspers Labs, a youth development programme designed to transform and launch South Africa’s unemployed youth into economic activity, was launched. Naspers Labs focuses on digital skills and training, enabling young people to pursue tech careers.
Response to COVID-19
Naspers contributed R1.5 billion of emergency aid to support the South African government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This contribution consisted of R500 million towards the Solidarity Fund and R1 billion worth of PPE sourced and distributed to South Africa’s front-line healthcare workers. In addition, Naspers contributed R6.9 million to the Nelson Mandela Foundation's EachOne FeedOne programme to support families who COVID-19 has impacted with meals for a year.