Sports Production Innovation Summit explores strategies for reducing carbon emissions

Sustainability was on the agenda during the Sport Production Innovation Summit held at GRUP MEDIAPRO Barcelona earlier this month, with industry figures discussing strategies around crew travel, power use, and remote production, highlighting the collaboration with federations, venue infrastructure improvements, and workflow changes that support sustainability across the broadcast ecosystem.

The panel

Mads Astrup Rønning, Green Producers Club, founder & head of international operations

Steve Knee, Cloudbass, managing director

Ursula Romero, ISB, managing director

Judith Fernandez, Grup Mediapro, head of sustainability

The panel looked at which areas of sports production have the most significant environmental impact, with Fernandez citing fuel consumption, electricity consumption and transmission as three key aspects. She suggested taking simple steps such as hiring local people, promoting sustainable options such as public transport, reducing the weight of OB vans and being innovative in finding solutions that work for individual needs.

The barriers preventing sustainability goals being achieved were also discussed. Romero highlighted that location can often be an issue, as can having to deal with countries where implementing these changes is difficult. The scale of the event and the time available to prepare for it can also have an impact here.

Knee went on to explain how Cloudbass has invested in sustainability and the positive business impact this has had. “People think sustainability is more expensive,” he said, “but actually the sweet spot is to (a) pay the same but actually save money through sustainability.”

Astrup Rønning touched on the role of measurement tools. “A tool should help you make informed choices. Start with the easy wins, like transport, and when you’ve identified your objectives and targets you should try as a company to implement that in your policies.”

Watch the session now.