Greening Our Operations

Working towards a more sustainable RTÉ

Energy Management

In 2021, RTÉ was formally accredited with the ISO 50001 standard in energy management– the only broadcaster in the UK or Ireland to have done so. RTÉ has already achieved energy savings of 57.1% against the 2009 baseline, putting us well placed to deliver our 2030 targets set out under the national Climate Action Plan.

Carbon Emissions

In support of the National Climate Action Plan, RTÉ is targeting reductions in its overall carbon emissions. As a signatory to the Business in the Community (BITC) Low Carbon Pledge, we have committed to a minimum reduction of 50% of carbon usage by 2030. In 2021, RTÉ compiled its carbon footprint in accordance with ISO 14064-1-2018 which facilitates the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals.

Waste Management

RTÉ was a finalist in the Waste Prevention category at the 2021 Pakman awards. RTÉ now sends no waste to landfill. Although RTÉ only uses biodegradable bags, a plan is in place to significantly reduce the use of single use bags by implementing a waste prevention solution to this area.

Action on Plastics

RTÉ phased out single use plastics in its canteen operations across 2018 and 2019 including a collaborative innovation project with our drinking water suppliers. RTÉ plans to roll out plastics prevention measures even further in 2022 and beyond.

BITC Business Mark Recipients

RTÉ is one of only 47 companies in the country to be certified to this standard of corporate social responsibility.

Greening Our Productions

In 2021, RTÉ continued with the roll-out of Project Albert, a sustainability programme designed to support more sustainable programme-making of all kinds. Programmes which were certified to Project Albert standards in 2021 included all five programmes in the Cláracha Gaeilge series, Gafa (Gafa leis an Underdog, Gafa le Grá, Gafa le Tarracóirí, Gafa leis an Aimsir and Gafa leis na Royals). This is the first complete series of RTÉ programmes to receive this certification. The Albert Carbon Calculator is specifically designed for programme making and is a widely recognised tool which is used by other broadcasters throughout the UK and around the world to reduce the carbon footprint of RTÉ productions in line with RTÉ’s commitments. The Screen Greening Coalition which comprises the BAI, RTÉ, Screen Ireland, Screen Producers Ireland, TG4 and Virgin Media Ireland jointly funded the introduction of the Albert Carbon Calculator in Ireland.

Climate Content

In an industry first, RTÉ was among 12 broadcasters and streamers who signed up to the Climate Content Pledge. The signatories – including the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, RTÉ, S4C and Sky – are committing to using their content to help audiences understand what tackling climate change might mean for them, as well as inspire and inform sustainable choices.

The Climate Content Pledge has been convened by Albert, the screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability. For the past decade, Albert has helped the production industry in Ireland and the UK to reduce environmental impacts and create content that helps audiences understand what a sustainable future might look like. Broadcasters, streamers and studios are already reducing the carbon emissions from production, and many are developing science-based Net Zero plans.

RTÉ is also one of 19 broadcasters from across Europe to have launched a climate action campaign. Coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union, the campaign focuses on the role of public media in highlighting the climate crisis.

The Climate Content Pledge and pan-European campaign come as RTÉ commits to highlighting the European perspective on the climate crisis, showcasing content from a range of public service broadcasters on its special climate micro-site at www.rte.ie/eile/climate-change/.

George Lee, RTÉ Environment Correspondent, provides climate information across radio, television and online services.

Eco Eye, Ireland’s longest running series about national sustainability issues, attracted strong audiences in 2021.

In 2021, RTÉ News conducted a range of training workshops to enhance climate coverage across a range of RTÉ News and Current Affairs programmes.

The dedicated RTÉ Climate section on RTE.ie was a popular destination in 2021.