First Major Media Company to Commit to Going Carbon Neutral
The Climate Group today announced that British Sky Broadcasting (Sky) has become a member. Sky is the first media company to join The Climate Group. Sky has also announced its intention to become the world's first carbon neutral media company – a milestone expected to be achieved by June of this year. The company is at the forefront of the media and entertainment businesses taking a lead on energy and climate issues. Its road map to achieve carbon neutral status focuses on three key areas – efficiency, reduction, and offsetting.
Sky's business, with its presence in nearly one out of three homes in the UK and Republic of Ireland, makes it uniquely well placed to play a constructive and innovative role in bringing a concept as large as climate change to a level where it can be more easily understood and acted upon.
While still at the outset of its journey, Sky has already achieved significant results, including:
- Reducing its site-related operational emissions in 2005 by 47%
- Purchasing 100% green / renewable energy in England and Wales and combined heat and power in Scotland
- The creation of a fund to purchase carbon credits to offset unavoidable emissions and invest in renewable technologies
- Development of the first carbon positive TV production - “Final Chance to Save”, alongside Tiger Aspect Productions. Sky One and Tiger Aspect Productions have offset emissions with the World Land Trust. The series is a documentary highlighting the risk of extinction to some of the world's most famous species
- Sky was the first media company to participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project <
- Sky is the only media company to have signed up to the voluntary European Commission code of conduct on Energy Efficiency in Digital TV Service Systems.
Looking forward, Sky has set a target to reduce corporate carbon dioxide emissions by 10% below 2002/2003 levels by 2010.
In addition to taking steps within its own operations, Sky believes that its news and entertainment capabilities can play a role in inspiring a range of people – including customers, employees, suppliers, NGOs, consumer advocates and power companies -- to seek new ways to make a difference.
Sky also has a programme of action that will include employee and customer-facing initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions and to encourage staff to be more energy efficient in the workplace and at home. Staff incentives will encourage individuals to reduce business related travel and support the purchase of lower emissions vehicles. Sky's product development road map will also incorporate energy efficiency into new product development. As part of this it is working on the development of an “automatic” standby feature for Sky+ set top boxes and will continue to work to ensure the success of the European Code of Conduct on Energy Efficient Digital TV Services.
“Whilst leading companies have been finding ways to reduce carbon emissions and increase profitability, consumers still lack the information, support and inspiration to take concerted action” said James Murdoch, CEO of BSkyB. “As a media company, we have the potential to play a role motivating people and helping change attitudes. Improving the ways people consume energy could release some pressure on their household budgets at a time of high energy prices. It could also become a sign of how forward-thinking families are and it certainly has the power to enhance a sense of community across the country and between generations.”
Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group, said, “Sky is investing in the future and is clearly leading the entertainment sector on addressing the challenge of climate change. Sky's past performance and commitment to be carbon neutral are a clear statement of intent to be a compelling part of the solution - something that everyone needs to work together on achieving."
About The Climate Group
The Climate Group is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing business and government leadership on climate change. The Climate Group is based in the UK, the USA and Australia and operates internationally.
About British Sky Broadcasting
Sky is the operator of the leading multichannel television platform in the UK and Ireland. Around 21 million viewers in 8.1 million households enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels and interactive services on Sky digital, the UK and Ireland's first and most popular digital television platform. BSkyB's channels are available in 10.2 million households through cable and digital terrestrial television.
Contact Details:
For more information please contact:
The Climate Group - Alison Lucas:
Tel: 07786 546 724
alucas@theclimategroup.org
BSkyB - Simon Jones
Tel: 07967 678320
Charlotte West
Tel: 07967 678315
charlotte.west@harvard.co.uk