ITV, C4 sign up to BBC carbon calculator

ITV, Channel 4 and a range of production companies have signed up to use the BBC's new carbon calculator in a bid to reduce emissions across the industry.

In November 2010, the BBC launched the online carbon calculator, known as 'Albert', as part of its sustainability plan The Difference. The BBC has set itself the target of a 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2012, along with a 20% cut in CO2 emissions from transport, 25% reduction in water usage and 25% cut in waste to landfill.

Use of Albert is mandatory for BBC Vision Productions, and the calculator has also been made available to other broadcasters in collaboration with BAFTA and trade association PACT.

A consortium of companies are now using Albert, including Channel 4 and ITV, along with production companies IMG, Kudos Film and TV, Shine, Talkback Thames and Twofour.

The BBC aims to open up access to the calculator to anyone working in TV production later this year on a not-for-profit basis. The current consortium also plans to collaborate in the long-term on other sustainability issues within the industry.

Sally Debonnaire, the BBC Vision controller of production operations, said: "TV producers who want to cut carbon and reduce their company's energy bills no longer have to worry if they don't know where to start.

"By using Albert they can track their carbon emissions and work out how best to cut them, saving money and lowering their environmental impact."

Channel 4 director of creative diversity Stuart Cosgrove commented: "Channel 4 is delighted to be a member of this group in support of environmentally sustainable practices within the TV production industry."

Julie Burnell, ITV Studios production executive - drama, added: "ITV is committed to reducing the impact of its production activity on the environment, and Albert will be a valuable tool for our programme makers to use to estimate their carbon footprint, and then consider ways of reducing their emissions."

Other energy efficiency measures introduced by the BBC include the rollout of low-energy studio lighting and 24-hour zones for working outside of office hours, along with the installation of water-saving devices and video conferencing to reduce the need for travel.