Sky to sponsor the COP26 summit in Glasgow

  • Sky will join National Grid, NatWest Group, Scottish Power and SSE as Principle Partners for the COP26 summit
  • Sky announce a new ambitious climate action strategy in addition to their Sky Zero campaign
  • UK businesses continue to show commitment in pushing forward climate action

The UK has today revealed Sky as a new sponsor for COP26 as it gears up for a year of climate action ahead of the international climate change summit in Glasgow this November.

Sky becomes the fifth Principal Partner who will support the delivery of a successful and ambitious COP in November. SSE, ScottishPower, NatWest Group and National Grid were announced in November 2020.

Through these partnerships, the COP26 Presidency is showing a clear commitment to working with businesses who are taking real steps towards net zero.

In February 2020, Sky set its commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030 across its entire value chain. Since then, Sky has become the first broadcaster to sign up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Sports for Action Framework and has achieved CarbonNeutral® certification for all of its UK Sky Original productions.

Sky is also building what aims to be the most environmentally friendly film and TV studios in the world at Sky Studios Elstree.

And today, Sky has announced a series of new commitments for its TV productions. Every future Sky Original will now adhere to clear guidelines to help achieve Albert Sustainable Production Certification, in addition, Sky Sports is targeting certification for every live host broadcast in 2021.

COP26 President Alok Sharma said:

This is an exciting year as we prepare for COP26 in Glasgow. Businesses have a key part to play in the summit and in building back greener, so I am delighted to welcome Sky as a Principal Partner for COP26. Their Sky Zero campaign shows how ambitious they are to take meaningful action for the future of our planet and I look forward to working together in the run up to COP26

Jeremy Darroch, Executive Chairman Sky, said:

This year will require us all to focus and adapt as we accelerate our efforts to tackle the climate crisis. At Sky, we believe that our voice and reach can play a vital role in empowering our customers, partners and industry peers to build a better world, because it’s the actions of business, the government and individuals, that will define our generation. I hope Sky’s new Planet Test and Sustainable Production Principles will spur others to make the transition to net zero with us.

Notes to editors

For press queries contact COP26media@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

  • Principal Partners are the top tier of sponsorship for COP26.
  • We will release information on the details of sponsorship agreements after the event.
  • We are ensuring that COP26 provides value for money for the taxpayer.
  • All sponsors have committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative, this requires them to set ambitious targets for emissions reductions, including having a credible action plan. All in line with what the latest climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Sky

Through its Sky Zero campaign, Sky plans to:

  • Transform its business to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its entire value chain by 2030 – this includes its supply chain, TV productions, use of its products in customer homes and the transition of 5,000 vehicles to a zero emissions fleet
  • Help millions of customers understand and reduce their carbon footprint
  • Work with policymakers to create a supportive environment that allows businesses to meet ambitious carbon targets

More details can be found here: https://www.skygroup.sky/sky-zero

The Science Based Targets initiative

  • SBTi mobilizes companies to set science-based targets and boost their competitive advantage in the transition to the low-carbon economy.
  • It is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments.
  • The initiative defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.