NBC Universal ready to go green

Studio plans more eco-friendly productions
By MICHAEL LEARMONTH

NBC Universal has unveiled a broad set of initiatives, dubbed the "Get on Board" campaign, to boost its credentials as a "green" company.

As part of the effort, led by CEO Jeff Zucker, the company has committed to mitigating the environmental impact of film and TV production, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 3% by 2012.

"We must run our businesses in a way that respects and protects our most valuable resource, the environment," Zucker said, at an event to tout parent company GE's "ecomagination" initiatives. "This comprehensive program is a first series of steps that we hope will set a new course for the entire industry."

NBC Universal touted the upcoming "Evan Almighty" as a model for future environmentally friendly production. NBC U negated the carbon impact of the film by making a donation to the Conservation Fund, which planted 2,000 trees, and donating reusable materials to Habitat for Humanity.

NBC U is forming a "green council" made up of senior execs and headed by Bravo chief Lauren Zalaznick to set objectives and guide the effort.

GE's conference, held at Universal Studios, follows Rupert Murdoch's announcement earlier this month that News Corp. would aspire to become "carbon neutral" by 2010 through investment in renewable energy sources and the use of hybrid vehicles.