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Corporate Social Responsibility

Environmental Policy & Position Statement

FCTG is geographically diverse, with company-owned operations in 11 countries. It has formal structures and procedures in place in Australia to underpin its corporate social responsibility platform.

Responsible Tourism

FCTG supports responsible tourism, conservation of natural resources and sustainability in general. It works closely with preferred suppliers and tour operators to develop and promote responsible holiday options so future generations can experience the world’s natural attractions. It also offers a range of tours built around social and environmental causes, including volunteering options.

Board Commitment

While FCTG has always endorsed responsible tourism and has sought to have minimal environmental impact, the company’s Board is committed to enhancing the company’s record in this important area.

Board members have also made significant individual contributions. FCTG managing director Graham “Skroo” Turner is a major supporter of the Australian Bush Heritage Fund. The Turner family has also joined with the Queensland Government to protect key rural properties from future development. These properties have since been added to the government’s Nature Refuge conservation program.

Independent director Gary Smith has an extensive background in ecotourism. Formerly an Ecotourism Australia board member, he has also played an integral role in the ecologically friendly Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island for the past 16 years. During which time, the resort won five Australian Tourism Awards for Environmental Tourism.

Flight Centre Foundation

The Flight Centre Foundation is the heart of the FCTG’s corporate and social responsibility strategy. It provides company employees with a means to support nominated charities through workplace giving and fundraising initiatives. All staff donations are matched dollar-for-dollar by the company, which also offers a paid program for employees who want to volunteer their time to community charities.

The four Australian charities currently supported by the Flight Centre Foundation are non-political and receive limited or no support from any government or corporate bodies. They include Bush Heritage Australia (dedicated to protecting Australia's unique animals, plants and habitats), Foodbank Australia (distributes donated and surplus food from the food and grocery industry to welfare and community agencies that provide food assistance to people in need), Redkite (supports children and young people with cancer) and Youngcare (working to get young people with high-care needs out of aged care nursing homes).

Accumulated funds also support important causes, with significant contributions made to the Queensland flood ($3.3 million) and Christchurch earthquake (NZ$1 million) appeals.

Carbon Emissions

FCTG is working to reduce office-related emissions by adopting a number of initiatives as outlined below. In most of its individual countries of operation, the company has also established direct links with environmental groups to provide customers with the option of offsetting emissions related to their personal and corporate travel.

Energy consumption

FCTG is actively working to reduce energy usage by:

• using sensor lighting in all head office locations
• installing energy efficient lighting in new tenancy areas, including open plan offices and meeting rooms
• minimising after hours air-conditioning use
• installing blinds to minimise cooling and heating costs
• installing multi-purpose devices to reduce the number of appliances in use
• having automatic switch off time clocks for all signage
• encouraging staff to switch off appliances and equipment when not in use; and
• using energy efficient appliances.

Recycling & Waste Reduction

FCTG has taken significant steps to reduce its waste by:

• ensuring recycling bins are available and accessible
• printing information only when necessary and moving towards double-sided copying
• reducing packaging
• sourcing and using recycled, unbleached, 100% post-consumer paper for printed materials when possible
• reducing the number of duplicate subscriptions to periodicals, trade journals and magazines and, where possible, making publications available online
• donating old computers and cell phones to charities for re-use.

Shop Design

FCTG has initiated an Environmentally Sustainable Design program for its retail shops. This system imposes guidelines relating to:

• fit-out materials, including timber usage
• lighting and signage
• equipment, including water fixtures and fittings; and
• waste management.

Commuting

FCTG has a strong health and fitness culture and seeks to provide its people with facilities that allow them to walk, cycle or run to work. Where possible, the company installs bicycle racks, showers, change facilities and lockers in its head office properties. The company has introduced a new sales structure that allows some travel agents to work from home, thereby reducing commuting-related carbon emissions.