Corporate Responsibility Update THE ENVIRONMENT – A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH For more information see bbc.co.uk/outreach/sustainability THE BBC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY At the BBC, we aim to be a us enormous insight into the impacts of the responsible steward of the production process. albert+ is the next phase environment and we want to operate of the sustainable production process and helps our business in a way that is as production teams make programmes more sustainably, by providing a checklist and identifying sustainable and efficient as possible. measures they can take. This includes the way we behave now and In this report we celebrate some of the innovative the decisions we make for the future. This ways programme makers have embraced the report takes a look at some of the ways the sustainability challenge and combined it with BBC is looking at the resources we use and exciting and invigorating content ranging from the CO2 emissions associated with our energy Winterwatch to Costing the Earth, The Great Big consumption, the travel we undertake and the Energy Saving Challenge and Radio 5live’s Energy waste we generate. Day. And we also look at the new HQ for BBC Helping to make the production of television Worldwide in London which is aiming for a gold programmes kinder to the environment is one of sustainability rating with a range of energy saving our priorities and we are proud to be an industry measures on everything from water use to leader in sustainable television production. light sensors. Our creation, the TV production carbon calculator I hope you enjoy reading it. albert, is an online tool that helps production teams identify and track the impact their activities have on the environment. Diane Reid Head of BBC Outreach and Corporate Using albert, BBC production teams have Responsibility foot printed over 1000 programmes, giving 2 Q&A WITH HATTIE PARK Hattie is the BBC’s BBC iPlayer and other online BBC’s travel carbon footprint, project manager services, there is more pressure while also ensuring we get the for environmental on us to invest in data storage; best value for money from our sustainability. and technological developments programme investment. Hiring such as HDTV create similar local crews is one way in which Q: What do you see as issues for us. Of course these we are tackling this challenge, the biggest environmental have energy cost implications and we are promoting a pilot challenges facing the BBC too, so we will continue to set ‘crew share’ initiative which in the next few years? ourselves stretching energy would enable a production targets that will help offset both team in an overseas location A: This is an area that is the environmental and financial to provide content for another constantly evolving, so ensuring challenges. team’s programme. This what we are doing is relevant potentially could save money, and continues to deliver results Our audiences expect the BBC encourage collaboration and, at is incredibly important. A to report on and reflect global the same time, help to reduce significant challenge for us events as well as, of course, our travel footprint. is managing our emissions continuing to provide brilliant associated with energy use, factual and documentary Q: Many businesses and the way this is increasingly content about our world. As are now entering into affected by the impact of digital we become a more global collaborative partnerships technology on programme- organisation, our travel will with other members of making and content provision. increase - we need to travel, their sector, including For example, as our audiences so we are looking at ways in erstwhile competitors, increasingly access content via which we can minimise the bringing environmental 3 Q&A WITH HATTIE PARK benefit for everyone We are also developing for money and a return on involved. Does the BBC relationships across the UK that investment. But ‘going share this view? broadcast technology sector, green’ can be good for the A: Absolutely. In fact, the through new partnerships bank balance as well as for the BBC has been a leader in a exploring ways in which, for environment. For example, sustainability collaboration since example, we can collaborate our investment in low energy 2011 when we first shared on the development over lighting in our new studios in our carbon calculator for TV the longer term of more Salford, Cardiff’s Roath Lock production, known as ‘albert’, environmentally-friendly and New Broadcasting House, with other UK broadcasters broadcast equipment. London will, over time, deliver through the BAFTA-led albert Q: How can the BBC afford real savings in energy operating Consortium. There are now 11 to make any investment costs and pay for that initial members of the Consortium in green technologies investment, as well as helping to including ourselves, Sky, ITV and and other environmental reduce our carbon footprint. major independent production improvements when it But the little things can really companies. The Consortium currently has to operate help too. Children’s drama All members are now also adopting within the financial at Sea saved £700 by investing albert+ (about which you can constraints of a flat in rechargeable batteries rather read more in this Update), licence fee? than using disposables, and which means that best practice A: Of course the financial reduced their impact on the and a common approach to challenges the BBC faces environment at the same time. sustainability for TV production are significant, and as with Similarly, Wizards vs Aliens cut is being shared across the UK all investment proposals, we their paper bill by 60% and TV industry. must demonstrate both value saved £800. So investment 4 Q&A WITH HATTIE PARK decisions made both at the very practice. And we know, from licences merchandise such as top of the BBC and by teams a survey carried out last year, BBC branded toys, clothing, at the ‘coalface’ can really make that our audiences expect gifts and stationery, as well as a difference. And of course, the BBC, just like other major books, magazines and DVDs. our new albert+ initiative is organisations, to do just that. Worldwide is very conscious already proving a great help in Of course, the BBC also has a of its responsibility to ensure encouraging the latter. responsibility to inform all our all its products are sourced Q: How can the BBC audiences of the issues around ethically and their Ethical maintain the impartiality climate change, and we are Policy is published on the BBC expected by its audiences proud of the coverage and rich Worldwide website. They also on issues around climate range of programmes, across all approve factories before first change, while at the same our services, that contribute to use, prioritising those in higher time you are investing in that role. risk countries for independent green technologies? Q: The BBC doesn’t just audits, and work with suppliers to address any failings and A: The BBC’s Sustainability make programmes - how confident are you that the improve labour standards and strategy is all about ensuring working conditions. we use our resources wisely merchandising you sell is and minimise our impact on the ethically manufactured? environment. We think doing A: Our commercial subsidiary that is simply good business BBC Worldwide sources and 5 OUR INDUSTRY, OUR WORK As a local, national and international broadcaster, we report on world events, produce award-winning drama, film important occasions and bring our audiences entertaining and informative programming. We realise that what we do can have an impact on the environment but, both on-air and behind the scenes, we want to be as environmentally sustainable as possible and reduce the impact our activities have on the environment wherever we can. This section describes some of the ways we are working to improve the sustainability of our core business of programme making and how we work with others across the industry. More sustainable television production Helping make the production of enormous insight into the production is rewarded with an television programmes kinder impacts of the production albert+ rating of one, two or to the environment is one of process. three stars. our priorities and we are proud albert+ (the next phase of the Programmes that achieve to be an industry leader in sustainable production process) albert+ ratings are those where sustainable television production. helps production teams make senior staff take a strong lead Our creation, the TV production programmes more sustainably, on sustainability, sharing goals carbon calculator albert, is by providing a checklist and with cast and crew, measuring an online tool that helps identifying measures they can their carbon footprint and production teams identify and take. Productions collect and adopting sufficient low carbon track the impact their activities submit information about the production techniques to have on the environment. actions they take, these are address the overall impact of Using albert, BBC production kept track of and checked by the programme. teams have footprinted over an independent audit function, And as well as enabling 1000 programmes, giving us and ultimately, if successful the production teams to improve 6 OUR INDUSTRY, OUR WORK More sustainable television production their impacts and try new and badge on the end credits of innovative ways of working, the programme and it can now albert+ is a way in which we be seen on a range of BBC can communicate the BBC’s programmes. commitment to sustainability You can read a more detailed to our audiences. Two early description of how albert+ adopters of albert+ BBC One certification works by visiting: drama From There To Here, and BBC Two’s Springwatch were bbc.co.uk/responsibility/ the first to display the albert+ environment/albert-plus 7 CASUALTY: THE BBC’S FIRST 3 STAR ALBERT+ PRODUCTION Case study BBC 1 drama Casualty with air conditioning.