Environment

Large organisations like the BBC are under increasing pressure to reduce environmental impacts, use resources more efficiently, and manage operations in a more sustainable way. But getting our own house in order is not our only responsibility in this area. As a public service broadcaster, we can also make a unique and powerful contribution by raising awareness of environmental issues through programmes and linked projects.

BBC Environment Action Plan

We agreed a detailed Environmental Action Plan for the BBC in April 2008. This set the following targets for improving the BBC's environmental performance over the next five-years (to be met by year end 2012/13):

Energy

20% reduction in energy consumed per person (kWh)

Transport

20% reduction in CO₂ emissions per person (tonnes)

Water

25% reduction in water used per person (m³)

Waste

25% reduction in waste per person and to recycle 75% of waste (kg)

Read our Corporate Responsibility Report 2008/09 to see how we’ve performed against these targets in the Plan’s first year.

On-air

We have a track record of outstanding natural history programming that puts some of the world’s most threatened environments in the spotlight. Series like Springwatch can even encourage and inspire viewers and listeners to play their part, by reducing their own carbon footprint. Breathing Places is an associated BBC project for all ages with a very simple aim - to get millions of people involved with nature and caring for nature-friendly green spaces where they live.

The Penny Black Club - a group of volunteers from the Northern Ireland Royal Mail Centre - decided to do exactly that by donating time to the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. Linda Mcburney is part of the group. This is their story:

“We are by no means experts. We are postmen and women who just wanted to make life a bit more fun by creating a Breathing Place, so that the children, families and staff of the Hospice can have a pleasant place to be at one with nature and spend time with each other.

The group wanted to improve access, provide privacy for the families and bring a bit of colour and life to the gardens.

Now that the project is complete, everyone can enjoy the lovely new surroundings of their Breathing Place.”

Find out more at bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces