Sky’s 2030 net zero targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative
Sky’s 2030 net zero targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative
Sky has received validation of its ambitious 2030 science-based emissions targets with approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The globally respected SBTi commended Sky’s 1.5°C-aligned targets, currently the most ambitious designation available through the process and in-line with the levels required to meet the Paris agreement goals.
Sky became the first carbon neutral media company in 2006 and last February announced plans to go net zero carbon by 2030 across its entire value chain. Sky’s SBTi approved plan includes cutting emissions created from the use of its products, its suppliers across the world by 50%* and by its business, and investing in natural carbon sinks to absorb the emissions it has not cut yet to reach net zero by 2030.
Dana Strong, Sky Group Chief Executive, said: “Having our ambitious targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative shows the integrity of our Sky Zero commitment. We will report transparently and show how our carbon reductions are in line with the recommendations of climate scientists. Now is the time for action, not just intention and as a Principal Partner and Media Partner for COP26, we want to drive real change, because the world cannot wait.”
Sky’s 2030 net zero ambition covers its entire value chain. Scopes 1, 2 & 3 which cover the emissions from Sky’s own operations, those of its suppliers and the use of Sky’s tech products in customer homes, are in line with the 1.5°C target to limit global temperature rise. The majority of Sky’s emissions are in Scope 3 and its bold vision to reduce these by 50% in the next decade from a 2018 base year has been praised for its ambition by SBTi.
Since announcing its net zero strategy in February 2020, Sky has achieved a number of significant milestones, including:
- Becoming the first broadcaster to commit to carbon neutral productions, working with the albert Consortium, with all Sky Originals from 2019 onward certified CarbonNeutral® in the UK
- Starting building Sky Studios Elstree, which will become the most sustainable film and TV production site in the world when it opens in 2022
- Announced the arrival of 151 new PHEV engineer vans that emit 60% less emissions
- Become a Principal Partner and Media Partner for COP26
- Launched the £2m Sky Zero Footprint Fund campaign
Earlier this year Sky News launched The Daily Climate Show, the first primetime everyday news programme dedicated to climate change and the environment.
*Sky commits to reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2018 base year.
The target boundary includes biogenic emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks
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About Sky
Sky is Europe’s leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of the Comcast group. Across six countries, we connect our 23.4 million customers to the best entertainment, sports, news and arts including our own award-winning original content.
Our technology, including the market leading Sky Q, connects people to everything they love – with entertainment from Sky TV, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer, and apps like Spotify, YouTube, BBC Sounds, Highbrow, Peloton, Fiit, and more, in one place, easy. Our streaming service NOW brings viewers all the enjoyment of Sky with the flexibility of a contract-free service. Through our new B2B broadband provider, Sky Connect, we offer superfast broadband with business-grade 4G back-up to small businesses in the UK.
Building on the success of Sky Originals like Chernobyl, Gangs of London and Brassic, we are doubling our investment in original content by 2024 through Sky Studios. Sky News provides impartial and trustworthy journalism for free, Sky Arts is the UK’s only dedicated free-to-air arts channel making the arts accessible for everyone and Sky Sports, our leading sports broadcasting service, brings customers some of the biggest and best global sporting events from the Premier League to Formula 1 and everything in-between. Our new TV and movie studio, Sky Studios Elstree, which will open in 2022, is expected to create over 2,000 new jobs and generate an additional £3 billion of production investment in the UK over the first five years.
We believe that we can be a force for good in the communities in which we operate. We’re committed to being Europe’s first net zero carbon entertainment company by 2030 and we’re proud to be a Principal Partner and Media Partner of COP26. We take pride in our approach to diversity and inclusion: we’ve been recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our commitment to diversity and we’ve set ambitious 2025 targets to continue to increase diversity and representation. We’re also committed to investing £30million across our markets over three years to improve our approach to diversity and inclusion, and to tackle racial injustice.
