BSkyB – Healthy environment for emission reductions

May Day Network

Becoming the world’s first CarbonNeutral® media company in 2006, Sky cut CO2 emissions by over 27% over the last 3 years.   With their auto standby software for Sky+ and Sky HD set top boxes, Sky has also helped customers collectively cut their bills by £16 million.

Process

Sky is the UK’s largest digital pay television platform, and the fastest growing broadband provider in the country.  In 2005, in response to customers’ demands, Sky extended its environmental management programme, and in May 2006, became the world’s first media company to be awarded CarbonNeutral® status.

To become CarbonNeutral®, Sky followed three steps:

1. Measure - Sky calculated its carbon footprint by working out the amount of CO2 emitted from premises, company owned vehicles and business travel.
2. Reduce – Sky then worked to reduce emissions by improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions from transport.  The company also secured renewable electricity for its main sites across the UK. 
3. Offset – Finally, Sky offset remaining emissions by supporting renewable energy projects.

In addition to becoming CarbonNeutral®, Sky is continually striving to find new and innovative ways to engage with its customers, employees and suppliers on climate change.  To enable its customers to make positive changes, Sky:

  • Pioneered software that automatically places the Sky+ and HD set top boxes on standby over night if there is no use detected by the box.
  • Piloted a scheme that involved Sky field engineers giving away energy efficient light bulbs to customers with their new Sky set top box.
  • Launched an online Carbon Calculator that helps households calculate their carbon footprint and provides tips on how to reduce their CO2 emissions and bills.
  • Partnered with WWF and the Energy Saving Trust on the ‘Green Shoots’ competition - Sky’s nationwide search to find the best short film to inspire people across the UK to take action to tackle climate change by making small changes in their daily lives.

Impact

  • Reduced CO2 emissions by 27% in the last 3 years (July 04 to July 07)
  • Auto standby saved Sky customers more than £16m on their electricity bills and saved 52,000 tonnes of CO2 (more than Sky's entire direct operational footprint)
  • 90% of customers receiving an energy efficient bulb said that they were using or planned to use the light bulbs and 70% said they'd like to hear more about saving energy
  • Over 21,000 people have used the Sky Carbon Calculator since its launch
  • The Green Shoots entries have been viewed online over 30,000 times and the winning entry was broadcast on Sky Movies’ Premiere Close Up by over 130,000 people

See also