The Sky Zero Footprint Fund has returned for a third year running and features a new expanded format.
The £2 million initiative was first established to help brands accelerate their sustainable initiatives through the power of TV advertising. Most recently, sustainable brand Serious Tissues used the platform to market its toilet rolls.
The initiative will continue to be open to brands, media and creative agencies in the UK and Ireland – with the most ‘imaginative and impactful’ idea securing £1 million of the £2 million advertising media value. Ahead of announcing the winner, five companies will be selected by a judging panel based on their sustainable operations to date, their commitment to a carbon zero future and their product/services’ potential impact to drive positive behaviour change at scale.
This year’s fund will also introduce the ‘Local Heroes Fund’, an additional fund for local businesses and initiatives that will be partially voted for by the public.
According to Sky, the green initiative has already invested £4 million in advertising support for sustainable brands, which will reportedly exceed a total of £6 million in 2023.
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“While the cost-of-living crisis is taking much of our attention, we can’t afford to forget about climate change,” Sky Media director of planning, Sarah Jones, said. “So, for this year’s Sky Zero Footprint fund, we’d love to see ideas that can save the planet and your pocket at the same time.
“We’ve seen the impact our fund can have on launching more sustainable businesses on TV and the catalyst effect on the categories they are in too. With our biggest ever Footprint Fund in 2023, we are excited to see how we can help drive change at a local and national level.”
Applications for the £2 million Sky Zero Footprint Fund are open from the 29 March until the 26 May 2023.
Serious Tissues co founder Chris Baker added: “The Sky Zero Footprint Fund is an absolutely incredible initiative that’s making a real difference in the industry…but I’m probably a little biased! It was brilliant to see all the great brands who are making huge strides towards a more sustainable future that we were alongside last year. I’m really looking forward to being a judge this year and being inspired by more great thinking. Bravo to Sky for continuing to drive this paradigm shift in the sector.”
