Telemundo: Sustainability is a Holistic Approach to Conducting Business

Telemundo, a division of Comcast NBCUniversal, has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 for Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

“Our commitment to protecting the planet stems from a deep desire to care for the communities where we live, work, and create,” the company expresses.

They are actively working to reduce their carbon footprint by measuring, reporting, and mitigating the environmental impact of their operations.

“NBCUniversal has a dedicated sustainability team to support our enterprise greenhouse gas emissions on an annual basis. Since 2019, we have reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by over 30%. In 2023, Comcast NBCU sourced over 1.1 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean and renewable energy – approximately 25% of our total enterprise electricity load,” they point out.

SPECIFIC STEPS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY

At the state-of-the-art Telemundo Center, a culture is fostered that encourages employees to integrate sustainability values into their work. “We’ve done this by establishing sustainable practices at our headquarters and setting green best practices on our productions. We also try to use our unique position in media to inspire others to protect the environment,” the company highlights.

They view sustainability as a comprehensive approach to doing business that minimizes their environmental footprint while fostering social responsibility and economic viability.

“Our enterprise-wide sustainability strategy at NBCUniversal focuses on reducing our emissions and energy usage, conserving and responsibly managing materials, and leveraging our platforms to inspire global audiences. This means working to source clean and renewable energy whenever possible, build sustainably, increasingly electrify our fleet, and promote recycling and reuse programs. Behind the camera, we empower production teams to integrate sustainable best practices into on-set protocols. In front of the camera, we leverage the reach of our content and the power of storytelling to spotlight pressing environmental issues and inspire a sustainable future for our viewers,” they point out.

The cutting-edge virtual set at Telemundo Center enables the company to reduce the construction of physical sets, minimize travel to remote locations, and eliminate the need to transport equipment.

This cutting-edge technology was recently used to transport viewers to Paris for Telemundo Deportes’ 2024 Olympics coverage. “We continuously evaluate opportunities for clean power on our scripted productions by piloting and demonstrating new technologies on set. Telemundo Center has installed flexible solar panels with batteries in fleet operations such as golf carts, trucks (to power lift gates), and production trailers to save fuel and emissions. These retrofits are innovative ways to use the equipment we already have today and make them more sustainable.”

Additionally, NBCUniversal is involved in various audiovisual industry collaborations, such as the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance (SEA), to develop best practices and promote the adoption of sustainability within the industry. SEA is dedicated to decarbonizing the entertainment sector and leveraging its influence to inspire a more sustainable future.

EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

Telemundo Center houses a 94,000-square-foot warehouse dedicated to storing set materials, props, and wardrobes for reuse at no cost to productions.

Telemundo also utilizes 100% LED lighting and has installed electric car charging stations available to all employees at a minimal cost.

To minimize waste, Telemundo Center collects all food scraps from its kitchen operations and partners with a local Miami-based composting service for disposal.

The EcoGreen Program at Telemundo Center fosters eco-friendly practices both in the workplace and at home. This program involves a committee of executives, sponsors, and employee champions who actively promote the company’s green initiatives.

HISPANIC CONSUMERS AS A DRIVING FORCE

For Telemundo, Hispanic consumers play a significant role in driving sustainability efforts within the industry as they increasingly prioritize eco-friendly products and practices.

Their growing demand for sustainable solutions encourages Telemundo to adopt greener initiatives and reflect these values in its content, ultimately influencing broader industry trends toward sustainability.

The company also organizes and participates in community events such as clean-up drives and tree planting, fostering community involvement and responsibility.

They add that Telemundo Center partners with a local Miami-based composting service to provide food scraps from their cafeteria. “They turn the scraps into rich compost and donate it to local farms and businesses,” they point out.

Telemundo News anchor Vanessa Hauc’s Planeta Tierra series has highlighted local and global environmental issues and grassroots efforts to inspire the community to adopt similar practices.

Employees partake in year-round events and initiatives to raise awareness around sustainability. “For our audiences, series like Planeta Tierra and Nuestro Planeta help to bring attention to sustainability topics,” they emphasize.