THE BBC got £300,000 from Saudi Arabia’s national oil firm last year despite the corporation’s aim to improve sustainability, it has emerged.
The Guardian reports that the BBC received the money in advertising revenue from Aramco for its overseas content, which is supported by commercials unlike the UK-based output.
It comes after the broadcaster said it is looking to end “fossil fuel usage across operations” in a “deep decarbonisation” project, with the aim of hitting net-zero in nine years.
Speaking in October, director-general Tim Davie (above) said a “huge amount” of work has taken place over 2021 to help the BBC plan to achieve its climate targets.
“We are now converting that plan into action,” he pledged. ”This will be a huge collective effort. It won’t be easy, but we must act, and act now, to reduce our environmental impact.”
The company’s strategy will include moving to electric vehicles, reducing its travel, implementing more “sustainable production methods” and helping suppliers reduce emissions too.
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According to ad data firm MediaRadar however, fossil fuel companies have spent about £483,000 on US digital adverts with the BBC in the last three years.
Most of that cash came from Saudi firm Aramco, but BP and Exelon also paid for commercials.
A spokesperson for the BBC said: “We have clear guidelines around advertising which are publicly available.
“We take care with all of our advertising to ensure it is not misleading.”
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