‘A critical decade’: Sky commits to net-zero emissions by 2030

Sky plans to integrate move Sky Ocean Ventures - and the 25 start-ups it has invested in since its launch in 2018 - into the Planet Fund

Sky’s new commitment will see its entire fleet of 5,000 vehicles transition to zero emissions by 2030, alongside initiatives to make the technology products it offers and launches more efficient. TV and film recorded by the broadcaster will also be covered under the net-zero carbon ambition as well.

The company will engage with more than 11,000 companies across its entire value chain to help reach the ambition and for as yet unavoidable carbon emissions, Sky will invest in and plant trees, mangroves and seagrass to offset. Already, Sky’s Ocean Rescue arm has partnered with WWF on a new project aimed at restoring carbon-sequestering seagrass habitats in west Wales.

Sky’s chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: “We are entering a critical decade on the long road to climate recovery, and all businesses have the opportunity to accelerate progress and become part of the solution. 

“Every business depends on and is fundamentally connected to the environment, and we have a responsibility to protect it. We need to take action now – because the world can’t wait. We’re on the journey, and we want to bring everyone with us. Sky Zero will transform our business, advocate for change and inspire our 24 million customers to go zero.”

Darroch is a WWF ambassador and has worked with the organisation on Sky’s successful Rainforest Rescue campaign, and more recently on the Ocean Rescue project, which aims to raise awareness among Sky’s 22 million customers of the dangers of plastic pollution. He claimed back in October that the company was exploring a net-zero target.

He led Sky’s drive to become the world’s first carbon-neutral entertainment company in 2006, and in October 2017 announced that Sky would remove all single-use plastics from its operations, products and supply chain by 2020.

Sky is the limit

Sky has recorded a 55% reduction in carbon intensity and a 39% reduction in business travel emissions. The company sends 0% of waste generated at the facility it owns to landfill and recycles 100% of food waste from its main offices.

Over the last 12 months, the company has also improved fuel efficiency across its fleet by 15%, meaning that six of the 10 environmental targets listed in its Bigger Picture strategy have been achieved ahead of time.

The new net-zero target is aligned with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C and Sky will seek validation of its targets from the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).

The company will be using its channels and programmes to engage with and encourage others to #GoZero.

Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for Business and Energy: “This Government is committed to both tackling climate change and to making the UK the best place in the world to grow a business. An ambitious commitment like this one from Sky shows these can be done at the same time, and I am sure many other businesses will follow suit.”

Matt Mace