Company Profiles

British Sky Broadcasting

United Kingdom

British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSkyB) is the UK's #1 pay-TV provider, reaching more than nine million customers in the UK and Ireland. Television broadcasting accounts for the majority of the company's revenues. BSkyB's concern about climate change and energy efficiency led it to launch the world's first set-top boxes that automatically switch to standby mode when not in use. The company estimates that this could reduce UK CO2 emissions by 32,000 tons per year. The company understands that, as an entertainment business with a presence in nearly one in three UK homes, it has "a platform to help people understand environmental issues and bring what can seem like an enormous problem down to a human level." To this end, BSkyB has committed to increasing the coverage of environmental stories, specifically on climate change. BSkyB's environmental initiatives are backed by the company's upper management. Chairman James Murdoch is active and outspoken on these issues, stating, "there's simply no bigger challenge we face; the stakes could not be higher." All of BSkyB's main sites in England and Scotland use 100% renewable energy. BSkyB purchases carbon offsets and is the only carbon neutral broadcast company in the industry. Clearly, the company is working to minimize its risks associated with climate change; however, it has not demonstrated similar diligence in reducing its waste and water usage. Portfolio 21 continues to encourage the company to expand its pollution prevention activities and to minimize its resource use.

To the best of our knowledge the above information is accurate and was obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. Neither the information presented above nor any opinion expressed shall be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the security. The views expressed are those of portfolio management as of 9/30/09 and may not reflect current opinions or subsequent events.