Collaboration

So, what are media companies doing to address the challenge of meeting these targets at a corporate level? Their response is calibrated to accommodate two distinct elements: the activities of media companies themselves and those of their suppliers and freelancers, who comprise a significant portion of workers in this sector, particularly in production and journalism. A concerted effort exists among the major broadcasters to address both with equal vigour.

Earlier this year, Netflix pledged to achieve net zero GHG emissions by the end of 2022. In common with the BBC, Sky and Channel 4, ITV has a net zero emissions target by 2030. ‘It’s been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi),’ says Susie Braun, Director of Social Purpose at ITV. 

‘We look at our competitors in terms of targets they might set for programmes they’re commissioning to understand how successful they are, and which audience they reach,’ she says. But on climate change and the media sector’s response to it, collaboration is seen as key. ‘On climate action, the TV sector is incredibly collaborative,’ says Braun. ‘We share so many of the same suppliers: it doesn’t make sense to set different standards for a small production company to meet Sky’s standards, but not ITV or BBC standards. 

We want to make it easy for suppliers to meet standards that we need them to meet. We work together with them to achieve that.’ She adds: ‘All the broadcasters meet under the Albert auspices when it comes to sustainability. We are very happy to share information and work together to achieve our aims.’

John Enser, media partner at CMS, explains: ‘For broadcasting, the key organisation is Albert, which does all the certification.’ Founded in 2011 and governed by an industry consortium under the aegis of BAFTA, Albert is a sustainability project, which acts as the authority on environmental sustainability for film and TV. Its directorate members are BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Netflix and BT Sport. Critically, Albert provides a system of carbon calculation and sustainability certifications for media companies.