SBS Media Sustainability Challenge returns for 2026
9 February, 2026
Media releases
The challenge offers brands and agencies $500,000 in advertising inventory for the best TV creative normalising sustainable behaviour and highlighting better environmental consumer practices.
National broadcaster SBS has opened applications for the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge with the aim of again encouraging brands to normalise sustainable behaviour and highlight better environmental practices for Australian consumers.
As a leader in sustainability within the media industry, SBS is offering $500,000 in advertising inventory to the winning campaign, as determined by a jury of leading industry professionals. Last year's challenge saw the NRMA named the inaugural winner of the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge with a clever EV campaign that encouraged Australians to consider switching to an electric vehicle (EV) and shone a spotlight on their growing network of EV chargers.
Kate Young, National Manager of SBS CulturalConnect, said: We have had so much positive feedback from the market about the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge and are thrilled that it is back for another exciting year.
Last year we were inundated with some great ideas and campaigns and we're so pleased that more of these creative ideas will have an opportunity in this year's challenge. At its heart, the campaign is asking brands and agencies to work with us to drive positive change to protect our planet by rethinking how they authentically represent sustainability in their marketing campaigns.
SBS has been a clear leader in this space working to reduce our environmental footprint, but we know change only comes about when our industry collaborates. Through this initiative, we're helping build a platform to elevate creative ideas that normalise sustainable practices to Australian audiences.
The challenge is open for submissions until 6 March. Brands and agencies are asked to go online and submit a 30-second television script and 500-word rationale addressing the judging criteria.
In 2026, the challenge has been updated to ask brands to focus on one of three areas:
NATURE How your brand protects and restores the natural environment.
CARBON How your brand reduces carbon emissions.
WASTE How your brand minimises waste through sustainable practices or innovations.
The jury will judge the script and rationale, with entries to be shortlisted in March and a final winner announced in the second half of 2026.
This is such a strong opportunity for brands, many of whom are already doing great work in this space, to produce something really creative and interesting that will get noticed and help spark positive conversation around sustainable behaviours, said Young.
SBS confirmed the jury for the SBS Media Challenge would consist of: Adam Liaw, host of The Cook Up and Co-Chair of Sustainable Screens Australia; Arum Nixon, Australia Chapter Lead at Ad Net Zero; Abigail Thomas, SBS Head of Sustainability; Kate Young National Manager, SBS CulturalConnect and Angus Gordon, SBS Head of Creative & Production Services CulturalConnect
The winning ad will also receive consulting services and training through Sustainable Screens Australia to help ensure the advertisement meets best practice for sustainable production.
Interested agencies and brands should go to the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge website for more information.
For a pdf of this media release, click here.
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
04/05/2026
It's Andrew! stomps onto screens this June 4 May 2026
The ABC and Screen Australia are delighted to announce that brand new preschool series, It's Andr...
30/04/2026
SBS & NITV LEAD NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2026 WITH LANDMARK GULPILIL DOCUMEN...
29/04/2026
Surgeon Dr Jasmina Kevric wins 2026 Les Murray Award
29 April, 2026
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Dr Jasmina Kevric...
23/04/2026
Apply now to join the 2026 Producer Delegation to TIFF: The Market 23 April 2026
Screen Australia, in partnership with Ontario Creates, has opened application...
22/04/2026
SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge
22 April, 2026
Media releases
National broadcaster also releases its second annual...
21/04/2026
Applications open for 2026 AISF and Screen Australia Writer/Director Virtual Ses...
20/04/2026
Register now - Market & Audience Department Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 11 February 2026
Screen Australia Head of Market & Audience Rakel Tansley
Talking to...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a s...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia appoints Tanya Phegan as Narrative Content Head of Development 17 March 2026
Tanya Phegan
Screen Australia has today announced the appointmen...
20/04/2026
Applications Open for Skip Ahead 11 19 March 2026
Past Skip Ahead recipients (L-R): Macfarlane Bros, Rainbow Bop, Lyanna Kea.
Screen Australia and YouTube Aus...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia empowers the next games generation, including new creatives fro...
20/04/2026
Official Co-production Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 26 March 2026
Image (L-R): Mix Tape, Michele McDonald, Flower & Flour.
Interested in international Co-pro...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces Narrative Content funding for 91 projects, including ...
20/04/2026
Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis (PICA) pinpoints four key workfo...
20/04/2026
Australians in Film and Screen Australia Announce the 2026 Participants in the T...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia relaunches website with new tools and improved user experience 16 April 2026
Screen Australia relaunches website
Screen Australia has relaun...
16/04/2026
SBS reveals all-star alumni team to celebrate 70 years of the Eurovision Song Co...
02/04/2026
SBS Welcomes Back Cup Fever! For The Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever
2 April, 2026
Media releases
Santo Cilauro, Ed Kavalee and a host of special guests retur...
02/04/2026
Truth. Power. Perspective: NITV's Flagship Current Affairs Programs Return t...
27/03/2026
NITV to broadcast farewell to Rhoda Roberts AO with special coverage and week-lo...
21/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how we all deserve t...
21/03/2026
Statement regarding Rhoda Roberts AO
21 March, 2026
Media releases
SBS is deeply saddened by the passing of Widjabul Wieybal woman from the Bundjalung Na...
20/03/2026
Feast for cycling fans as SBS extends road cycling broadcasts to include all Gra...
19/03/2026
Silicon Valley satire The Audacity premieres 15 April on SBS and SBS On Demand
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From one of the writer/producers of Succession...
19/03/2026
SBS brings communities together at Bondi Pavilion for Harmony Week multilingual ...
19/03/2026
Clarification from SBS regarding Western Sydney expansion
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From an SBS spokesperson:
SBS wishes to clarify some media coverag...
19/03/2026
Techtel announces inctrl : web-based production control for content creators, co...
18/03/2026
Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture
18 March, 2026
Media releases
New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...
17/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnnect highlights how we all deserve ...
12/03/2026
AFL and NITV partner to launch new First Nations led program Inside the Huddle&...
06/03/2026
Statement on the appointment of Dr Nicholas Pappas AM as SBS Chair
6 March, 2026
Media releases
The SBS Board and Executive have welcomed the appointment o...
05/03/2026
SBS and Mint Pictures to chronicle the Bondi terror attack in major feature docu...
05/03/2026
Winter Olympic stars return to the ice for ISU World Figure Skating Championship...
04/03/2026
100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...
02/03/2026
Global powerhouse Delta Goodrem to represent Australia at this year's Eurovi...
02/03/2026
SBS brings together prominent voices to discuss rising social division and seek ...
02/03/2026
NITV Unveils Wednesday Night Sport Night
2 March, 2026
Media releases
A Midweek Hub for Blak Sport
Flagship NRL program Over The Black Dot moves to Wednes...
02/03/2026
Ausfilm and Screen Australia launch joint UK market initiative 2 March 2026
Ausfilm and Screen Australia have announced Partner with Australia (UK), a new init...
27/02/2026
Screen Australia announces Rachel Perkins as Director of First Nations Strategy 27 February 2026
Screen Australia has today announced the appointment of Rachel...
18/02/2026
SBS brings Australians together to mark Ramadan and Eid with communities nationw...
16/02/2026
SBS's Powerhouse Current Affairs Line-up is Back with the Conversations and ...
12/02/2026
Our Medicine S2: Frontline Medicine Through A Blak Lens
12 February, 2026
Media releases
A Bigger, Bolder Second Series showcasing First Nations Frontline ...
11/02/2026
ABS Strengthens Ku-Band Capacity and Expands Regional Reach Through Strategic Pa...
10/02/2026
World-first opt-out function now fully integrated on SBS On Demand
10 February, 2026
Media releases
SBS has announced a suite of audience-first enhancement...
09/02/2026
SBS Media Sustainability Challenge returns for 2026
9 February, 2026
Media releases
The challenge offers brands and agencies $500,000 in advertising invent...
04/02/2026
Queer Renegades: SBS Audio's new podcast reclaiming Australia's queer hi...
03/02/2026
The smash-hit series The Hospital: In the Deep End returns to shine a spotlight ...
02/02/2026
SBS's High-Flying Drama The Airport Chaplain casts Hugo Weaving alongside Th...
30/01/2026
Introducing the NEW Techtel.tv! | FEB 5% OFF Offer
30 Jan Written By Suzanne Costello
Our Website & Online Store: Now Unified for a Seamless Experience.We&#...
SBS Media Sustainability Challenge returns for 2026 
