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, as well as a near-term target to reduce emissions by 42% by 2030 against a baseline year of financial year 2021-22. SBS is the first Australian broadcaster to have both near-term and long-term Net Zero targets validated by the global body Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) as aligned with the latest science. The global standards body commended SBS for selecting the most ambitious target available through the SBTi process. Read more about this here.
SBS Sustainability Strategy
Measuring our carbon footprint
SBS started measuring its carbon footprint in 2020-2021 and has continued to conduct a Greenhouse Gas Assessment each year, publishing the results in its Annual Reports. SBS has a clear decarbonisation strategy, aligned with its ambitious near-term and long-term Net Zero targets. The targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) as aligned 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.
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.
"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
Working for a sustainable future
Broadcasting industry
- 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 joined the albert Sustainable Studio Standard with the SBS’s two studios being assessed against a best practice sustainability checklist and joining a global cohort of 31 studios around the world. Annual assessments will help SBS ensure its studios continue to improve in sustainability.
Advertising industry
- 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.
- SBS joined industry group Ad Net Zero in 2024 as a foundation member to play its part in encouraging the overall advertising industry to decarbonise.
- SBS launched the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge, aimed at encouraging brands to normalise sustainable behaviour and highlight better environmental practices for consumers. SBS will provide advertising inventory to the value of $500,000 to the winning campaign.
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.
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