Sky plc has furthered its longstanding commitment to tackling climate change by joining RE100 with a goal to source 100% renewable electricity by 2020 where available.
The European entertainment company already obtains most of its electricity from renewable sources globally.
Across its managed UK & Ireland sites, Sky’s energy is provided by either its own on-site renewable energy plants, or through a renewable energy tariff.
Recognizing that renewables make business sense, Sky will now take the same approach in Italy, Germany and Austria.
In an interview with RE100 Fiona Ball, Head of Responsible Business at Sky, said: “We wanted to show leadership and whilst committing to a bold and challenging target, we wanted to also recognize the business case and show that acting responsibly, and being successful commercially go hand-in-hand.
“We can demonstrate the benefit of doing the right thing and leading by example, whilst also making our energy supply more resilient.”
Speaking about the value of joining RE100 and working towards 100% renewable electricity, alongside the world’s most influential companies, she added: “This initiative provides an opportunity to be a part of something where there is a common goal and sense of ambition, and a strong message to markets and governments to encourage support for a more competitive, secure and sustainable energy system.
“We need to maintain momentum post COP21 in Paris and make sure actions come out of all of the hard work that went into last year.”
Emily Farnworth, RE100 Campaign Director at The Climate Group welcomed the company’s move: “By joining RE100 Sky is demonstrating the leading role business can play to help deliver the Paris Agreement and we hope others will follow.”
She added: “It’s great that Sky intends to encourage its landlords to switch to renewables – we know that finding renewable power solutions in rented property can pose a challenge to companies.”
In 2006, Sky was the first media company to go to carbon neutral. Sky has been procuring renewable power across its UK & Ireland sites for a number of years already. Sky’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact is also further reflected by a gross emissions target to reduce its carbon intensity by 50% by 2020 – of which it is already at 38%.
There are challenges associated with buying renewable electricity in different countries. RE100 members are collectively demonstrating that there is business demand for renewable energy, which in turn will lead to easier access.
For more information on what Sky is doing to reduce its impact on the environment, make better, more sustainable products and to inspire its customers to take action on climate change, please visit Sky’s website, or follow @skybiggerpic on Twitter.
RE100 now includes 56 companies from a wide range of sectors and operations all over the world. Including: Adobe, Alstria, Autodesk, Aviva, Biogen, Bloomberg L.P., BMW Group, BROAD Group, BT Group, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Commerzbank, DSM, Elion Resources Group, Elopak, Formula E, Givaudan, Goldman Sachs, Google, H&M, IKEA Group, Infosys, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.(IFF), J. Safra Sarasin, Johnson & Johnson, Kingspan, KPN, La Poste, Land Securities, Marks & Spencer, Mars Incorporated, Microsoft, Nestlé, Nike, Inc., Nordea Bank AB, Novo Nordisk, Pearson PLC, Philips, Procter & Gamble, Proximus, RELX Group, Salesforce, SAP, SGS, Sky plc, Starbucks, Steelcase, Swiss Post, Swiss Re, Tata Motors Limited, UBS, Unilever, Vaisala, Voya Financial, Walmart and YOOX Group.