Energy is the key

Green production is slowly being discovered by German broadcasters. But ARTE, ProSiebenSat.1, Sky, WDR, and ZDF are making significant investments in energy efficiency. Renewables, photovoltaic systems, electric cars, and car-sharing instead of staff automobiles are now part of the daily production routine.

 

 

 

At WDR, two block-type thermal power stations are generating energy for the new data center in early 2017. “IT techniques are consuming a growing part of global energy consumption”, states Theodor Schmickmann, Facility Manager at WDR. During the planning stages, it was decided to supply energy and cooling for the new data center by operating a thermal power station on site. “Due to the huge demand for energy and cooling, data centers are ready-made for highly efficient cogenerations.”

 

 

The German-French culture channel ARTE is taking a stand in
favor of sustainable development and energy management at its headquarters in Strasbourg. Working within the framework of the ISO 50001 certification, ARTE has committed itself to increase its energy efficiency by 20 % by 2020. In order to reach this goal, the broadcaster is analyzing and optimizing its most energy-intense activities. “We turned to LED lighting in one of our two studios, which also reduced our need for cooling”, says François Bolard, Head of Operations and Planning. The second studio will switch to LED in 2017. “Since 2011, we’ve been conducting ‘Tous au boulot à velo’, an awareness campaign for our staff to reduce energy consumption“, emphasizes Adeline Tschiember, Environmental Officer. „We’re handing out bonuses if they bike to work.”

 

 

ZDF is working on a comprehensive set of green measures, which include office material, rooftop photovoltaic cells to power the Capital City Studio, and which extend to reducing water consumption. “Ecological responsibility is an integral part of our understanding of sustainability”, stresses Jens Müller, member of the ZDF Sustainability Group. “This effort resulted in ZDF being the first German broadcaster to meet the comprehensive reporting standards of the German Sustainability Code.”

 

 

 

In Germany, the Code also provides essential orientation for reporting usage and consumption. Starting in 2017, the EU is requiring that capital-market oriented companies with more than 500 employees deliver a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report. ProSiebenSat.1 has been keeping track of its carbon footprint since 2015, which it has reduced by taking meas- ures that ranged from the use of renewables and electric cars to the avoidance of airplane travel.

 

 

Also striking a carbon balance is the Pay TV station Sky, which became the first climate-neutral media company in the world ten years ago. “At Sky, sustainability is not limited to building management and logistics”, underlines Alexandra Coffey, CSR Director, Sky Germany. “Green production is going to become an issue with our productions Das Boot and the doomsday drama Acht Tage (Eight Days), both of which start principal photography this summer. We’re teaming up with our partners at Bavaria Film and Neuesuper to develop concerted measures.”

 

 

In early 2017, Sky launched a new public relations initiative Sky Ocean Rescue to raise awareness among consumers of the massive amount of plastic waste floating in the world’s oceans and its impact on eco systems as well as on the food chain. “Accordingly, we’re going to examine our buildings as well as our business processes for plastic packaging and we’re going to replace it, if possible, with sustainable alternatives”, concludes Coffey.

 

 

Photos: © Arte/ WDR/ ZDF/ Sky

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