In 2023, Fojo’s internal sustainability efforts have intensified. One of several key initiatives is the analysis of internal travel based on its climate impact. The goal is to ensure that programmatic requirements are applied internally before implementation.
“We want to lead by example with our internal sustainability work and be fair to our partner organisations, whose carbon footprint is far less than ours. The differences between the environmental impact of the West and that in the Global South are significant. If we are to be taken seriously in our external sustainability efforts, we have to dare to lead by example,” says Anna Maris.
Reducing internal travel has been a major focus area. In a workshop held in May 2023, fundamental travel principles were developed, and in 2024, a sharp implementation of carbon budgets at project level is under way, and in some cases, even on an individual level.
“It may seem like a small thing, but it’s part of a larger system that involves changing even small details, even in small organisations, to create greater awareness of sustainability and environmental impact,” explains Project Manager Anna Maris.
Another significant effort during the year has been the sustainability certification of Fojo’s own courses. Having received training on the sustainable development goals (SDGs), sustainable journalism and completing the sustainability certification form, Fojo aims to scale up the process of certifying courses against the SDG:s even further in 2024 to deliver trainings that are aligned with them.
“It’s about inspiring Fojo’s course participants to want to take action based on the sustainability agenda and creating awareness, so that they can convey the agenda and its implications to create even better journalism. Course leaders now incorporate elements related to the global goals and have learned to highlight the SDGs for themselves and their course participants,” explains Anna Maris.
