BBC Sport signs up to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

This framework brings together representatives from across the global sports community to drive change by setting clear targets and standards in line with the Paris Agreement, as well as harnessing the power of sport to inspire and influence change.

Sports teams, organisations, governing bodies and broadcasters around the world are signatories including the IOC, FIFA, UEFA, FA, BOA and The All England Lawn Tennis Club. BBC Sport has become the 157th signatory and the second media organisation.

The participants in the Sports for Climate Action initiative commit to adhere to the following five principles:

• Undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility
• Reduce overall climate impact
• Educate for climate action
• Promote sustainable and responsible consumption
• Advocate for climate action through communication

BBC Sport is already delivering in all five principles, for example through its commitment to sustainable production training, migration to remote working on Premier League football and major events and sport journalism such as How Green Are Premier League Clubs?

Alongside this, BBC Sport has also become a founding member of the Bafta Albert Sports Consortium, a new group set up in July 2020 to specifically collaborate and address key challenges and opportunities posed in live sports broadcasting, aligning with the broader goals of the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework.

These announcements underpin BBC Sport’s commitment to driving a sustainable approach into all aspects of its production, and aligns with efforts by the wider BBC. Since the launch of its Greener Broadcasting strategy in 2018, the BBC has been committed to creating a positive impact on the environment.

The BBC’s programmes help audiences to better understand environmental issues and how to take action, with recent examples like Extinction: The Facts or Hugh’s War On Plastic providing trusted facts on the current situation and examples of practical solutions, while flagship dramas like Doctor Who or EastEnders are connecting the audience to the challenge through powerful storylines and inspiring characters.

As an organisation, the BBC has set 'science-based' targets to reducing its carbon emissions and is taking action to eliminate single use plastics from its operations. It is developing a culture of sustainability by providing training to staff and empowering Green Teams across divisions.

The BBC also looks to promote positive change externally, by working with its supply chain, its external content producers and technology partners to drive transformative action across the broadcasting sector.

Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, says: “Like the rest of the industry, we have a duty to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our environmental impacts to a minimum. Signing up to the UNFCCC demonstrates the importance we attach to strengthening the great work we have already done in this area.”

Niclas Svenningsen, manager for Global Climate Action at the UNFCCC, says: “I am delighted to welcome BBC Sport in the Sports for Climate Action family. Prominent sports broadcasting companies, such as BBC Sport, have a tremendous reach and impact in terms of informing viewers and influencing sports actors. We look forward to their contribution as they walk the talk on climate and use their broadcast power to influence awareness, attitudes and knowledge of climate change.”

GM