Warner Bros Publishes Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Methodology
Warner Bros. Discovery has published its 2025 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data and methodology, outlining its environmental footprint across operations and content production activities.
The company reported Scope 1 emissions of 80,650 metric tonnes of CO₂e and Scope 2 emissions of 112,921 tonnes (location-based) and 116,285 tonnes (market-based). Combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions totalled 193,571 tonnes (location-based) and 196,935 tonnes (market-based).
Scope 3 emissions—covering indirect emissions across the value chain—were significantly higher, reaching 1,071,621 tonnes CO₂e (market-based). This brought Warner Bros. Discovery’s total emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 to approximately 1.27 million tonnes CO₂e.
The largest share of Scope 3 emissions came from purchased goods and services and capital goods, which accounted for more than 950,000 tonnes CO₂e. Additional contributions included fuel- and energy-related activities, business travel, and employee commuting.
The company confirmed that its emissions inventory is prepared in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, ensuring alignment with internationally recognised carbon accounting standards. Scope 1 emissions represent direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, while Scope 2 reflects emissions from purchased electricity, heating, and cooling.
A notable aspect of the report is the inclusion of emissions from film and television production activities. In 2025, 515 productions under Warner Bros. Discovery’s operational control were included in the emissions inventory. Emissions were calculated using a combination of actual activity data and estimates based on production-specific intensity factors and industry benchmarks.
The methodology applies strict boundaries, including only productions where the company had operational control and where principal photography was completed in 2025. Certain activities—such as licensed content, third-party productions, and marketing-specific content—were excluded to avoid double counting and ensure consistency.
Where direct data was unavailable, the company used estimation techniques based on internal metrics or industry averages, particularly from the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance. Emissions factors from sources such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and international agencies were applied depending on geography and activity type.
Overall, the report highlights the complexity of measuring emissions in the media and entertainment sector, particularly in production activities, while underscoring Warner Bros. Discovery’s efforts to improve transparency and data quality in its environmental reporting.
