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Net Zero Nature: Our Commitment to the EnvironmentEmma Stewart, Ph. D.
Netflix Sustainability Officer
Social Impact
30 March 2021
Global
I've worked as a scientist in countries like Kenya, Brazil, and Mexico, studying nature's ecosystems and how they provide our planet with life support free-of-charge. People recounted their struggle to survive as humanity undermines these systems one-by-one - stories that profoundly impacted my thinking. Then in 2009, I was part of the team that developed the world's first science-based climate target methodology, leading to a movement now 1,000 companies strong.
Today, I'm fortunate to be able to combine my love of science and storytelling at Netflix, where we aspire to entertain the world. But that requires a habitable world to entertain. And scientists around the world agree we need to stabilize the climate at no more than a 1.5 C temperature rise to avoid the worst results of climate change - and ensure healthy life support systems for our children.
To help reach this goal, Netflix will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2022, and every year thereafter. We have a plan called Net Zero Nature, and here's how it works:
Step 1: REDUCE our emissions
We'll start first by reducing our internal emissions, aligning with the Paris Agreement's goal to limit global warming to 1.5 C. We will also reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 45% by 2030, based on the Science-Based Targets Initiative Guidance.
Step 2: RETAIN existing carbon storage
By the end of 2021, for emissions we can't avoid internally, including Scope 3 emissions, we'll fully neutralize them by investing in projects that prevent carbon from entering the atmosphere. We'll start by conserving at-risk natural areas like tropical forests that are critical to meeting global climate goals.
Step 3: REMOVE carbon from the atmosphere
By year-end 2022, we will incorporate investment in the regeneration of critical natural ecosystems to achieve net zero. These projects, such as restoring grasslands, mangroves, and healthy soils, capture and store carbon, in addition to other benefits.
Nature is at the heart of our commitment, as environmental leaders like Christiana Figueres tell us we can't achieve climate goals without protecting and regenerating natural ecosystems. This approach buys us time to decarbonize our economy, while restoring these life support systems.
For example, the Lightning Creek Ranch project in Oregon shows our Retain goal in practice - with our investment helping preserve North America's largest bunchgrass prairie. In Kenya, we're supporting the Kasigau Corridor REDD Project, protecting the dryland forest that's home to hundreds of endangered species and provides local residents alternative incomes to unsustainable activities like poaching.
Left: The Oregon Grasslands Project, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy and Aaron Huey. Right: The Kasigau Corridor REDD project, courtesy of Filip Agoo.
Science-based Strategy
Our strategy aligns with the latest guidance from Oxford University and the Science-Based Targets Initiative's (SBTi) criteria, where our program will achieve 10 out of 10 of SBTi's recommended guidelines. We joined the U.N.'s Business Ambition for 1.5 C group of companies, as well as America is All In, a consortium committed to execute against the Paris Agreement's goal to limit global warming to 1.5 C.
The advice of more than 60 experts shaped our strategy, from researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, to renewable energy and sustainable aviation experts at ENGIE Impact, to policy pros at Natural Resources Defense Council. We also formed an independent advisory group of experts who volunteer their time to counsel and provoke us:
Dr. Johan Rockstr m, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Christiana Figueres & Tom Rivett-Carnac, co-architects of the Paris Agreement and founders of Global Optimism
Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist, The Nature Conservancy and Distinguished Professor and Chair, Texas Tech University
Kelly Kizzier, VP Global Climate, Environmental Defense Fund
Derik Broekhoff, Senior Scientist, Stockholm Environment Institute
Marcene Mitchell, SVP Climate & Tim Juiliani, Corporate Engagement, WWF
Xiye Bastida, youth activist and winner of Spirit of the UN award
You can read some of the reactions to Net Zero Nature from some of these advisory group members below. To dig deeper into the science and calculations behind our strategy, read our technical blog and our 2020 Environmental, Social, Governance report.
Understanding our footprint
Our 2020 carbon footprint was 1,100,000 metric tons. Roughly half (50%) of that footprint was generated by the physical production of Netflix-branded films and series, whether we manage them directly (likeThe Midnight Sky), or through a third-party production company (like Our Planet and You vs. Wild). It also includes content we license that is Netflix-branded (like My Octopus Teacher and Down to Earth with Zac Efron).
The remainder (45%) comes from our corporate operations (like the offices we lease) and purchased goods (like our marketing spend). Also, we use cloud providers like Amazon Web Services and the Open Connect content delivery network to stream our service. These account for 5% of our footprint.
We don't include emissions from internet transmission or electronic devices our members use to watch Netflix. Internet service providers and device manufacturers have operational control over the design and manufacturing of their equipment*, so ideally account for those emissions themselves.
Still, we've joined a research effort called DIMPACT that is establishing consensus on how to measure the footprint of streaming and other
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