Sustainability
SBS’s purpose is to inspire all Australians to explore, respect and celebrate our diverse world and in doing so, contribute to a cohesive society. A cohesive society requires a stable and sustainable planet so people can flourish.
Why is sustainability important to SBS?
As a purpose-driven public broadcaster, sustainability is at the heart of our strategy. SBS is taking an ambitious but credible approach to decarbonising our operations and supply chain, helping to lead the Australian broadcasting industry to tackle this global challenge.
Net Zero by 2045
SBS has set an ambitious target to reach Net Zero across Scope 1, 2 & 3 by 2045 against a baseline year of financial year 2021-22. This is the most ambitious target adopted by any Australian broadcaster and is based on a detailed analysis of the SBS supply chain, working with content, technology and marketing partners to map their decarbonisation plans and model potential scenarios. Read more about this here.
Progress
Measuring our carbon footprint
SBS started measuring its carbon footprint in 2020-2021 and is now in the third year of calculating its Greenhouse Gas Assessment. (For more, please see page 79 of the 2022 SBS Annual Report and page 108 of the 2023 SBS Annual Report.)
SBS has also initiated the process for submitting its net zero targets to be validated by global standard Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the internationally recognised standard for science-based greenhouse gas emissions targets. The SBTi will audit the broadcaster’s decarbonisation modelling to ensure it aligns with the latest science.
Switch to 100% renewable energy
In a major step towards decarbonising its direct operations, SBS switched to 100% renewable energy in 2022-23. This was achieved through the purchase of Large Generation Certificates, registered with the Clean Energy Regulator. SBS is also transitioning its fleet to hybrid and electric vehicles. These changes mean SBS has achieved Net Zero for its direct operations (Scope 1 and 2).
SBS has entered a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement for renewable wind and solar energy from ZEN Energy, which will supply SBS’s New South Wales and Victoria-based operations with 100% renewable energy over the next 10 years with Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) uniquely paired with the 226.8MW Collector Wind Farm in NSW. Read more about the agreement.
Working with broadcasting industry for a sustainable future
- SBS was a founding member of industry body Sustainable Screens Australia which brings together broadcasters, funding agencies and production companies to embed sustainability into film and television production.
- The Cook Up with Adam Liaw is SBS’s – and Australia’s – first television program to have its carbon footprint validated by the Albert Toolkit through Sustainable Screens Australia. The program recorded emission levels below international industry averages, demonstrating the work being done both behind and in front of the camera to lead in sustainability. The production team used the process to raise awareness of sustainability issues and encouraged the crew to make simple but impactful changes like choosing meat-free options for catering. The albert toolkit has provided a useful guide to the key sources of emissions which will help future production decisions. Other shows due to begin being measured in 2024 include Insight and Going Places with Ernie Dingo.
- SBS was also a founding member of audio industry group Green Ears which brings together public broadcasters, community broadcasters, commercial radio, industry bodies, training institutions and suppliers to share lessons on sustainable approaches to audio.
- SBS has partnered with Scope 3 to measure emissions from advertising technology so SBS’s advertising clients have greater transparency over emissions from their advertising campaigns.
"I am very pleased that we are setting an ambitious date of 2045 for Net Zero on all emissions, including Scope 3. This is a space where SBS can and should lead the industry.”
James Taylor, SBS Managing Director
An overall ESG framework
SBS has focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues with a materiality assessment to determine key topics of relevance to SBS and its stakeholders. This led to the development of an overarching ESG Framework to establish benchmarks, set clear goals, and track progress in each of these areas, with a governance structure now established to report regularly to the Audit and Risk Committee and Board on ESG updates.
Podcast: Everything We Need
Podcast: Alone Australia
Alone Australia
