ITV commits to 1.5C science-based target after reaching carbon-neutral status

Months after it became a carbon-neutral business, broadcaster ITV has unveiled a plethora of new sustainability pledges, including committing to a 1.5C science-based target, purchasing 100% renewables and removing all single-use plastics in operations, productions and the supply chain.

ITV has this week unveiled its new Social Purpose strategy, featuring headline commitments across the areas of environmental stewardship and societal wellbeing.

The new strategy aims to build on ITV’s strong environmental work to date. In 2018, the organisation became a carbon neutral business, having reduced emissions by more than 52% over a five-year period and offsetting all direct emissions from business operations, travel and energy use.

ITV has now committed to setting a science-based target and will aim to reduce emissions by 10% annually until the target is finalised. The science-based target will be aligned to the Paris Agreement’s most ambitious target of limiting global warming to 1.5C.

The company has also committed to joining the Climate Group’s RE100 initiative to procure 100% renewable energy. ITV’s UK buildings are already powered completely by renewables, accounting for 55.6% of its global electricity consumption.

Other targets outlined in the strategy include: zero single-use plastics used in operations, productions and the supply chain; supporting SME suppliers to improve their environmental impact; ensure all staff and freelancers are provided with environmental awareness training and achieve 100% Albert certification – to improve the carbon footprint of TV production - for programmes ITV produces and commissions.

ITV had told edie that roadmaps for these targets will be published next year.

Albert Consortium

In 2018, ITV ensured that 38 productions made or commissioned became Albert certified, including Love Island and its coverage of the FIFA World Cup. In total, 778 hours of ITV runtime were Albert-certified

Earlier this year, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) unveiled plans for a new sustainable film and TV programme in partnership with the Albert Consortium. The specialist course includes modules covering climate science, the sustainability challenges facing the screen industry and the production processes which can best mitigate the sector’s negative environmental impacts.

For waste management and staff training, all single-use cups and cutlery have been removed from main hub sites in London, Manchester and Leeds and 100% of ITV’s largest suppliers have been tasked with meeting the organisation’s sustainability criteria. In 2018, 645 colleagues completed the online environmental awareness training module.

The organisation also ranked in the top 10 best performers in the Hampton Alexander Review of FTSE Women Leaders, signed the Time to Change pledge to reduce stigma around mental health in the workplace and won a Signature Award for services for supporting the Deaf community in the workplace.

edie will publish an in-depth look at ITV’s new strategy, including an exclusive interview with the organisation’s senior manager for social purpose, Julia Giannini, next week.

Matt Mace

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