Our shared world

RTÉ is committed to far-reaching environmental sustainability.

In 2020 RTÉ developed and certified our energy management systems to ISO50001 standards – the only broadcaster in Ireland or the UK to have done so. RTÉ had already achieved energy savings of 51% against the 2009 baseline, putting us ahead of the 2020 targets set out under the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP).

1. Carbon emissions

In support of the National Climate Action Plan, RTÉ continued to target reductions in its overall carbon emissions. As a signatory to the Business in the Community Low Carbon Pledge, we have committed to a minimum reduction of 50% of carbon usage by 2030. Working collaboratively across many sectors, Low Carbon Group members share knowledge and expertise to help accelerate carbon emission reduction at a national level.

2. Waste Management

As a previous Pakman Award winner for business recycling, RTÉ has been working to leadership standards over many years, targeting effective recycling and waste prevention year on year. RTÉ now has zero waste going to landfill and in 2020 it reduced its overall waste levels by 30%.

3. Action on Plastics

RTÉ phased out single-use plastics in its canteen operations across 2018 and 2019, and in 2020 introduced a collaborative innovation project with our drinking water suppliers involving the elimination of plastic cups at water coolers. There are plans to roll out plastics prevention measures even further in 2021 and beyond.

4. Biodiversity

As part of our commitment to sustainability, in 2020 RTÉ succeeded in creating a new pollination-friendly pod on our main Dublin site. We also continued to support research undertaken at Trinity College Dublin by creating multiple test sites on our grounds to investigate ground bee habits around different soil types, and implemented a reduction in grass cutting at boundary areas to optimise opportunities for pollination. RTÉ is a certified member of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

5. BITC Business Mark Recipient

Following independent audit, accreditation for the Business in the Community Responsible Business Mark was officially renewed in 2020, making RTÉ one of only 60 companies in the country to be certified to this standard of corporate social responsibility.

6. Industry Leadership

RTÉ has operated a Sustainable Broadcaster group over many years, collaborating with external agencies and partners to maximise impacts. In 2020 RTÉ collaborated with the BAI and pledged to support the BAI Sustainability Roadmap, which will develop best practice within the broadcasting sector.

7. Greener Productions

in 2020 RTÉ began work on the rollout of Project Albert, a sustainability programme designed to support more sustainable programme-making of all kinds.

8. Water

RTÉ has tried to be as efficient with water as possible, using alternative sources such as rainwater harvesting, and accurate metering and conservation. As a result, mains water usage has been reduced by 10% over the past four years.