As part of our UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals activation at Licensing Expo 2025, we are showcasing our members and partners that are embodying various SDGs through they work they have done or are doing.

SDG 13 is all about taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, and is something BBC Studios has been focused on for a number of years.

“Climate change is a real and undeniable threat to our entire civilization.The effects are already visible and will be catastrophic unless we act now. Through education, innovation and adherence to our climate commitments, we can make the necessary changes to protect the planet. These changes also provide huge opportunities to modernize our infrastructure which will create new jobs and promote greater prosperity across the globe.” – The Global Goals.

To create action to combat climate change, the UN has set out five targets:

• Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related disasters;
• Integrate climate change measures into policies and planning;
• Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change;
• Implement the UN framework convention on climate change;
• Promote mechanisms to raise capacity for planning and management.

The TV industry plays a vital role in inspiring, educating, and informing audiences – and BBC Studios has embraced this responsibility. As the UK’s most commissioned producer and the largest distributor of content outside Hollywood and Bollywood, the studio recognises that meaningful onscreen storytelling must be backed by authentic, science-based action behind the scenes.

Through landmark productions like Planet Earth III, Frozen Planet II, and Earth, BBC Studios deepens public understanding of climate change and biodiversity. Strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration with Minecraft, extend this impact – amplifying vital messages to new and younger audiences in innovative ways.

At COP26, BBC Studios was a founding signatory of the Climate Content Pledge, committing to represent climate considerations across its programming and inspire greener choices. This commitment is evident across the spectrum – from Planet Earth to Bluey – ensuring that sustainability weaves through entertainment and education alike.

In 2022/23, 98% of BBC Studios’ UK productions had carbon action plans in place, many leading the way with pioneering approaches to sustainability. The BBC Natural History Unit, for instance, has committed £1 million over three years to develop international filmmaking talent. By enabling greater use of local crews, the initiative not only nurtures diverse perspectives but also significantly reduces carbon emissions associated with travel.

Sustainability is embedded into BBC Studios’ own operations too. The organisation is aligned with the BBC Group’s science-based net zero targets and is taking clear steps to reduce its carbon footprint. Initiatives such as The Green Planet AR Experience, which used recycled fabrics later converted into renewable energy, earned ISLA’s highest sustainability rating of “Best,” reflecting the studio’s dedication to detail and innovation.

Beyond content production, BBC Studios is applying the same scrutiny across its wider business. From working with licensees and suppliers to reduce waste, to rethinking travel budgets and re-evaluating building usage, every area is under review as the studio pushes towards its 2030 climate goals.

A commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group, BBC Studios operates across the full value chain, from content development and financing to production, distribution, and branded experiences. Three-quarters of its revenue comes from partners beyond the BBC, including Discovery, Apple, and Netflix. Its global reach is vast, with around 2,400 hours of award-winning British content, such as Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear, Bluey, and Doctor Who, recognised internationally across diverse genres. Meanwhile, its global digital news platform, BBC.com, attracts 139 million unique browser visits each month.

With purpose at its core, BBC Studios is setting a standard for the industry, proving that great storytelling and climate action can, and must, go hand in hand.