A League of Their Own (2024)

Sky’s BAFTA-winning sports entertainment panel show, A League of Their Own, produced by CPL Productions (a Seven.One Studios company), has been delighting audiences for 18 series, with series 19 recently wrapped. Recognised with a Sustainable Production Award at the Global Production Awards, the production team has embedded sustainability at every step – proving that even high-energy, studio-based entertainment can dramatically reduce its environmental impact.
Game On, Carbon Down
Sky’s BAFTA-winning sports entertainment panel show, A League of Their Own, produced by CPL Productions (a Seven.One Studios company), has been delighting audiences for 18 series, with series 19 recently wrapped. Recognised with a Sustainable Production Award at the Global Production Awards, the production team has embedded sustainability at every step – proving that even high-energy, studio-based entertainment can dramatically reduce its environmental impact.

How is it effective?

01.

Data-driven decisions
Series 18 leveraged carbon footprints and Carbon Action Plans (CAPs) from series 16 and 17 via the Albert Toolkit. This gave the team clarity on emissions hotspots across travel, materials, power, and accommodation.

02.

Transport and travel
No domestic flights were used during production. Cast and crew were encouraged to travel by train or public transport, and electric vehicles handled production errands.

03.

Materials and catering
Single-use plastics were eliminated, and all catering was beef-free.

04.

Accommodation
Local hotels with green and eco-credentials were selected for cast, crew, and talent requiring overnight stays.

05.

Waste reduction and circular economy
Unwanted sets, props, furniture, and costumes were donated to the PropUp Project, local community initiatives, and social enterprises.

06.

Sustainability advisory support
Picture Zero helped create an emissions reduction strategy, providing expert guidance to the team on circular economy practices and day-to-day sustainability decisions. Briefings were delivered to the art department to ensure materials and processes were as sustainable as possible.

07.

Studio optimisation
Moving to a smaller studio space allowed the team to rethink resource use and design processes with sustainability in mind.

The Impact

01.

Reduced emissions
The average carbon emissions for an hour of entertainment programming is 12.64 tCO2e/hr (2022 Annual Review). Series 18 recorded 2.29 tCO2e/hr, 82% lower than the industry average and 47% lower than series 17.

02.

Award winning
Series 18 received a Sustainable Production Award at the Global Production Awards.

03.

Big wins
Eliminating flights, reducing single-use plastics, sourcing eco-certified accommodation and donating materials all contributed to measurable carbon and waste reduction.

Key Takeaways

01.

Studio-based shows can do it too
Demonstrates that even fast-paced, studio-based entertainment can integrate sustainability into planning, operations, and creative decision-making.

02.

Experience with Albert
The team’s prior experience with Albert certification made it possible to identify and tackle key carbon hotspots efficiently.

03.

Collaboration between departments
Collaboration between production, art and sustainability advisors showed how engaged teams can achieve ambitious reductions.

04.

Cultural leadership
The approach provides a model for sustainable production in studio entertainment, showing measurable results and cultural leadership in the screen industries.
“Looking at data from previous series on the Albert Toolkit was really useful – it helped identify the emissions hotspots that the team could focus on in areas of travel, materials power and accommodation. We’d also moved to a smaller studio space, which was helpful as it made us think more sustainably and gave us a fresh start for series 18.”
Anna Panays, Line Producer

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