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ITV, along with six other media companies, has become a founding signatory of the Media Climate Pact. The Pact commits us: to implement science-based targets in line with 1.5°C global warming, and to drive sustainable lifestyles and behaviour through our content.

Today would have been the first day of COP26, the yearly United Nations climate change conference. This year, the first global ‘stocktake’ of progress against the commitments made in Paris 5 years ago would have taken place. While COP26 has been postponed to 2021, this announcement by media companies shows that we will not let COVID-19 delay our plans to play our part in tackling climate change.

The Pact notes that “as media companies, we have a superpower: the ability to appeal to hearts and minds. Through our content, we can inspire more enlightened behaviours, amplify the stories that need to be told, question business as usual and, finally, normalise sustainable living. Imagine what we could achieve if all major media companies – from broadcast to advertising, education to radio, entertainment providers to publishing, news outlets to exhibitions and events – worked in concert to turn the tide on climate change.”

Led by the Responsible Media Forum (RMF), this Pact commits companies to take action to reduce operational emissions by setting science-based targets, and to drive climate-friendly lifestyles and behaviour through content. Committed companies will be required to submit annual Communications On Progress (COP). A dedicated website will house the Pact, list of committed companies, and links to COPs.

ITV has already committed to becoming a Net Zero business by 2030, having set ambitious 2030 environmental targets this year. Normalising sustainable lifestyles on screen is part of ITV’s editorial approach, especially on our most popular soaps such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

“Across the media industry, we know we all have a critical part to play in combating the climate crisis. Alongside our own personal ambition to become Net Zero by 2030, we at ITV are delighted to pledge our commitment to the Media Climate Pact, to help accelerate a positive cultural change that secures a sustainable future for our industry and society."

Chris Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer, ITV

“To use a much overused term, this is nothing short of a game-changer. Experts and leaders, from Christiana Figueres to David Attenborough, have made it abundantly clear that solving climate change is now a communications challenge. The technologies exist, the science is clear, the economics are well understood – all we need to do is mobilise individuals, organisations and societies to create a safe future for the planet. No industry is in a better place to do this than the media sector. I can’t wait to see the world’s biggest media companies unleash their creativity, insights and reach to help us win this fight.”

Christian Toennesen, Chair, Responsible Media Forum

The media companies who are founding signatories of the Pact are: Channel 4, Informa, ITV, Pearson, RELX, Sky and Virgin Media.