$2 million milestone for Computershare’s eTree program

10-05-2010

Computershare is delighted to announce its eTree environmental incentive program has now raised over AU$2 million for Landcare Australia since its launch in 2004.
Computershares CEO, Stuart Crosby, said he was extremely proud that eTree, Australias first environmental incentive program, had reached this significant milestone.

Raising $2 million is a fantastic achievement. To see the program grow from 14 foundation members in 2004 to over 101 members today is extremely satisfying. Its role in actively driving shareholders towards electronic communications and reducing paper consumption has been significant, Mr Crosby said.

Supporting greater environmental awareness and sustainable business practice, eTree (www.etree.com.au) provides an opportunity for member companies and their shareholders to reduce costs and waste by offsetting printed investor information, such as statements, by opting for electronic delivery. For each registration, a donation of up to $2 is made to Landcare Australia on the shareholders behalf.

Landcare Australias CEO, Heather Campbell, says the eTree partnership with Computershare has provided valuable resources for environmental restoration projects across Australia.
eTree provides regular and essential funding for the core purchasing requirements of the projects, such as for seeds and seedlings or planting equipment. When this is combined with volunteer labour and expertise from the Landcare community volunteer groups, large scale planting projects are made possible year after year.

Projects include the establishment of essential habitat for endangered plants and animals, landscape connections through biolinks or wildlife corridors, and the reduction of salinity and nutrient runoff into waterways.

I would like to thank all of the individual shareholders and participating companies for making it such a success, Ms Campbell said.

eTree is open to all Australian listed companies, regardless of their registry service provider. eTree is also available to companies in the UK, USA, Canada and South Africa, and has directly led to the planting of more than four million trees worldwide.

eTrees international acknowledgements include the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)s Environmental Merit Award in 2007 and the Best Specific Environmental Initiative at the 2005 United Nations World Environment Day Awards.