March 2008
NBC Universal launched "Get On Board," a comprehensive, companywide program to improve the environmental impact of its operations by reducing greenhouse gases, raising awareness about green issues, and stimulating change in the media and entertainment industry.
Led by Jeff Zucker, President and CEO, NBC Universal, the campaign is part of NBCU parent company General Electric's "ecomagination" initiative. It is also a significant corporate extension of the "Get On Board" campaign launched last month by Universal Pictures and the Conservation Fund in conjunction with this summer's debut of Evan Almighty, NBC Universal's first movie to "zero out" its carbon emissions.
Highlights of "Get On Board" include:
With the launch of "Get On Board," NBC Universal is committed to being one of the most environmentally conscious companies in the industry, with environmentally advanced productions, content that educates and informs, internal energy efficiency, and green incentives for employees and their communities. The company's efforts will be guided by the NBCU Green Council, made up of senior executives from across NBCU's businesses and led by Zalaznick. The Green Council will meet regularly to assess and monitor progress and set new objectives.
NBCU intends to continually review best practices on environmental issues and to make advances available to other companies and the general public to help reduce the overall environmental impact of businesses across all sectors.
"Now is the time for us not just to think green but to act green," said Zucker. "We must run our businesses in a way that respects and protects our most valuable resource, the environment. This comprehensive program is a first series of steps that we hope will set a new course for the entire industry."
The multifaceted program will involve three broad areas: production and content, theme parks and operations, and employees and communities.
1. Production and Content
NBC Universal has made a commitment to "go green" for its film and television productions. Its carbon-neutral production efforts involve reducing emissions, purchasing carbon emission offsets, and using hybrid or electric production vehicles whenever possible. In addition, the company is committed to supporting extensive recycling programs and to maximizing the use of nontoxic cleaning products and low-emission paints, sealants and lacquers.
This follows the production of Evan Almighty, NBCU's first effort to significantly reduce the environmental impact of a major motion picture. The film's carbon output was offset through a donation to the Conservation Fund, which planted more than 2,000 trees to "zero out" the carbon emissions generated by the production of the movie; all the landscaping, lumber, windows and other reusable materials were donated to Habitat for Humanity; crew members were given bicycles to reduce car usage; recycled paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass were used on set; and after production was completed, trees were planted near the site of the ark in Crozet, Virginia. In connection with the film, Universal Pictures and the Conservation Fund have launched www.getonboardnow.org, an online destination where people can take real action to slow the effects of global warming.
Additionally, iVillage will launch an "iGo Green" web channel on its site, designed to show women across the country just how easy it is to go green (see separate press release). From organic food to recycled fashion to eco-friendly home décor, iGo Green will offer female-focused editorial, quick and simple ideas, tools and other features around living the green life.
Content designed to raise environmental awareness using platforms of NBCU includes:
SCI FI launched a multifaceted "Visions for Tomorrow" campaign, a public-affairs initiative that encourages individuals, organizations, and policymakers to explore creative solutions to challenging environmental problems.
2. Theme Parks and Operations
The company is also announcing a strengthened commitment to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency in its operating activities. Initiatives include:
3. Employees and Communities
"Get On Board" has employee and community outreach components that will include a dedicated internal website to teach employees how to go green, along with green stories in NBCU's employee newsletter, feature stories on employees who make going green part of their lives, and an idea box to solicit employee input on how NBCU can be greener. The company also offers discounts on energy-efficient appliances such as those in GE's "Energy Star" line. In addition, funding from the NBC Universal Foundation has been set aside to support local environmental initiatives in communities where NBCU employees live and work.
As part of its 25-Year Vision Plan, NBCU has submitted the proposed Universal Village development for consideration as a U.S. Green Building Council LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Developments) pilot project. The site's location and proximity to the nearby Metro public transit station make it an ideal candidate for this new program, which focuses on walkability and connection to transit.
In a further step, NBCU is enhancing its cooperation with local authorities in the areas where it operates. In a first step in California, the City and County around Universal are to host a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event for employees and the community.
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