DPP reveals industry average for its Committed to Sustainability programme

The DPP has revealed the first average score for participants in its Committed to Sustainability programme – and it’s a good start, one that suggests many positives, but it is also a score that highlights that there is still work to be done before TV production and broadcasting can transition to a net-zero carbon and zero waste sector.

The DPP Committed to Sustainability programme, supported by SVG Europe, provides a self-assessment checklist that enables companies to record their progress in implementing sustainability policies, and awards them a score out of five.

Although participating companies scored across the whole range, the industry average emerged as two out of five.

‘Two out of five might sound poor as an industry average. And the DPP itself scored just two!’ said Mark Harrison, DPP managing director, ‘But the fact is that until now no one knew where the media industry was on its journey towards a more sustainable future. Our programme has provided a tool through which we can all show our commitment, and measure our progress. It’s really motivating.’

The Committed to Sustainability programme, enabled by DPP member Atos, was driven at the DPP Tech Leaders’ Briefing in November 2019, to promote environmentally sustainable practices among suppliers and content providers.

‘What all these companies are saying is “we care, and we want to know how to measure our progress. That’s why the low scoring companies are just as impressive as the high scoring ones.”

There are currently nineteen participants in the programme, from global professional service providers to specialist media technology companies. The companies are: A+E Networks EMEA, Akamai Technologies, Arqiva, Atos, Blackbird, Cerberus Tech, Deep Render, DPP, Film Locker, InSync Technology, Limecraft, MediaSaaS, Piksel, Qvest Media, Red Bee Media, Rubber Republic, Singular Live, Sundog Media Toolkit and Tinkerlist.

The score awarded by the DPP Committed to Sustainability programme is private to the company concerned, but it can be used in procurement submissions, in marketing, and as a motivating force for further improvement. A range of scores, between one and five, has been achieved by participating companies, resulting in the current industry average score of two.

‘What all these companies are saying is “we care, and we want to know how to measure our progress”,’ adds Harrison. ‘That’s why the low scoring companies are just as impressive as the high scoring ones. The programme is a statement of intent; and a community for responsible companies. The DPP is excited about working with that community in the months and years ahead.’

The range and number of participants in the DPP Committed to Sustainability programme is expected to increase rapidly over the next twelve months and the DPP will regularly update the industry average score so that companies can measure their performance against it.

A list of companies that have been awarded the DPP Committed to Sustainability mark is maintained on the DPP website so that customers can select suppliers who are committed to reducing their environmental impact.

The programme is available to all companies, free of charge, irrespective of whether they are a member of the DPP.

To find out more and to take part, visit the DPP website: