Telstra shareholders are doing their bit to help the company's bottom line and reduce Telstra's carbon emissions, thanks to two new initiatives that encourage them to be 'Smarter, greener, together' about shareholder communications.

ONE Household, ONE Communication is a new program by Telstra's Office of the Company Secretary that identifies households receiving more than one copy of selected shareholder communications and sends them only one. The program to reduce multiple mailings of news and information, not statutory mailings such as Dividend Statements and AGM notices, was launched last month with the Shareholder Update mail out following the 2008 Annual Results.

Last Friday and today, shareholders receive a "Green bonus" with their Dividend statements - an invitation to join the ranks of Telstra's savvy e-Shareholders. e-Shareholders get their company news and information as soon as it is released, via email, often days earlier than shareholders who have theirs sent by post.

Both initiatives are making significant inroads to reducing waste and the carbon emissions involved in the printing and postage of shareholder communications.

With around 1.4 million shareholders, by far the largest shareholder base of any Australian company, Telstra's communications to the people who own a part of the company are a big deal, with efficiencies generating big benefits all round.

Carmel Mulhern, Telstra's Company Secretary, said improving the efficiency of shareholder communications was part of Telstra's Transformation that is touching every part of the company.

"These initiatives enable our shareholders to contribute to their company's Transformation Program, as well as enjoy the benefits of faster, greener communications.

"They are a win all round," Ms Mulhern said.

Telstra staff members who are shareholders through employee share plans are also becoming increasingly smarter & greener. Members of Telstra's Board and senior managers who participate in the Directshare and Growthshare schemes were all converted to e-Shareholders in August. Based on this successful first step, plans are in train for Telstra staff members who purchased shares under the TESOP scheme to follow suit.

Being smarter about Telstra's communications to its 1.4 million shareholders really adds up - cutting costs, improving Telstra's bottom line and reducing Australia's carbon emissions.

How can you be 'Smarter, greener, together'?

• Become an e-Shareholder (www.linkmarketservices.com.au) - Remember to have your SRN/ HIN handy.
• Find out more about how telecommunications can help Australia to tackle climate change: Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future: Telecommunications-based Opportunities to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (www.telstra.com.au)