CBC/Radio-Canada has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 16% compared to 2019-20 levels, according to its latest environmental sustainability report.

That figure includes direct emissions from owned and controlled operations and indirect emissions from the use of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling.  According to the report, purchased goods and services account for an average of 70% of CBC’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The 2023-24 environmental sustainability report is the pubcaster’s third since launching its 2021-26 environmental strategy, covering April 2023 to March 2024. CBC/Radio-Canada uses emissions data from fiscal 2019-20 as its baseline.

CBC/Radio-Canada reported an 11% reduction in energy consumption and a 50,000 kg reduction in waste. That does not include diverting 152 metric tonnes of e-waste. By 2026, CBC’s goal is to divert 75% of its waste from landfills. Currently, that figure stands at 41%.

Business travel was reduced by 39%, and 17% of its fleet is now comprised of alternative energy vehicles. This is just shy of its 20% goal. As of March, CBC has received 48 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, 24 hybrid electric vehicles and one zero-emission vehicle.

The pubcaster also marked a 13% reduction in water usage in its facilities, or a decrease from 62 million litres to 56 million litres.

CBC/Radio-Canada also installed solar panels at three more transmission sites, marking a total of five transmission sites with solar panels. One of those sites is in Exshaw, Alta. and included the installation of two wind turbines.

In May, seven CBC and Radio-Canada studios were recognized by the BAFTA albert’s Studio Sustainability Standard, which is specifically designed for production studios. The specific studios recognized were A, B and C in Montreal; Studios 40, 41 and 42 in Toronto; and CBC Kids. This marked the first time a Canadian media organization received these recognitions, according to a release. However, the albert certification is no longer available in Canada following changes to its model in 2022-23.

As well, 76% of in-house productions are now using the albert carbon calculator after first committing to it in 2021.

In June 2023, CBC was one of 22 founding members of the Canadian Broadcasters for Sustainability. The same month, the pubcaster committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

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