Football broadcast on Sky Sports to be certified to highest sustainability standards

Sky recently unveiled a new commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 

The 2020/21 football season will see Sky ensure that broadcasting has a minimal environmental impact. All games shown live on Sky Sports, including Liverpool v Leeds United on the opening weekend, will achieve certification for the highest standards of sustainable production. The Sky Sports News transfer deadline day coverage in October will also fall under the certification.

The certification is awarded to productions that meet the Albert sustainability criteria. Sky Sports is committed to reaching this level of certification for all future football seasons and across other live sports broadcasts. The BAFTA’s Albert initiative, which provides businesses and individuals across the broadcasting sector with resources to help them not only minimise the environmental impacts of their operations, but change the narrative around sustainability issues.

Sky Sport’s executive director of content Steve Smith said: “Seeing the Albert certification stamped on our new season football productions is a proud moment for the Sky Sports team. We’ve been working hard to make our live productions more sustainable and it’s is a big achievement on Sky’s overall ambition to be net-zero carbon by 2030.”

Sky Sports is also part of the BAFTA Sports Consortium, which was set up in July 2020 and builds upon the Albert initiative. The new sporting consortium features Sky Sports, BBC, ITV, BT Sport, Sunset & Vine, IMG, Premier League Productions, AELTC, Formula 1, Aurora Media and Channel 4.

Sky is using the 2020/21 football calendar as a “season of sustainability”, whereby the broadcaster will engage with sports fans to encourage them to make simple behavioural changes to reduce their carbon footprint.

BAFTA’s strategy advisor Tricia Duffy said: “It’s fantastic to see Sky setting themselves such ambitious targets. We are all aware of the impact sports production has on the environment but together through the efforts of the Albert Sports Consortium, we are finding ways to reduce our carbon footprint as well as bringing the climate into the conversation on screen too.

“By setting themselves this goal, Sky is really showing what’s possible when sustainability is at the top of the agenda.”

Sky had previously teamed with the Premier League to eliminate single-use plastics from the organisation by 2020.

Net-zero broadcast

Earlier this year, Sky unveiled a new commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 through strategies to make its products more energy efficient, its film and TV more sustainable and by engaging consumers and the value chain to “go zero”.

Part of the absolute reductions will focus on Sky’s building and facilities and its transport fleet. Sky is exploring how to add renewables to some buildings, both from procurement contracts and onsite installations. New studios, like Sky Studios Elstree, will also help deliver net-zero TV and film emissions due to the sustainability features added to those buildings.

Sky Sports recently became first sports broadcaster to sign up to the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework.

The Framework aligns the sports community to the needs of the Paris Agreement through target setting and verified emissions reporting.

Sky Sports is the 140^th signatory and joins the likes of Formula 1, The All England Lawn Tennis Club and Spanish football club Real Betis in joining the framework.

Matt Mace