Sustainability commitments (latest update: March 2026)

Environmental footprint

• At least 50% of the power generated for the remote telescope sites will be from sustainable sources: we will aim for a substantially higher fraction than this, balancing environmental and financial sustainability.
• The SKAO will optimise renewably-generated power use at its other sites, in particular by its supercomputers. SKAO will also set expectations on the SRCs to prioritise sustainability in their use of power.
• The SKAO will ensure that the power consumption of the delivered telescopes SKA-Low and SKA-Mid is consistent with the approved power consumption budget (no more than 10% over).
• The SKAO will minimise the use of materials whose manufacture, use or disposal causes unsustainable damage to the natural environment by: assessing materials sustainability in procurements; ensuring the maximum use is made of materials before disposal; and employing use and disposal methods that minimise harm. 
• The SKAO will seek to minimise the use of unsustainable fuels across all areas of operation. 
• The SKAO will sustainably manage the land on which its telescopes are built, including conserving water resources and protecting the flora, fauna and heritage on both sites.
   

Science

• The SKAO's facilities will implement the principles of Open Science, and will be accessible to a broad scientific community. SKAO staff first-author publications will be accessible to all scientists within 12 months of publication. We will encourage publication of SKAO results in open access journals or via other accessible means. 
• The SKAO will support the growth of the astronomy community worldwide, through: supporting the development of business cases in potential Member countries; hosting scientific conferences and workshops; participating in SKA-related science meetings.
• We will communicate the results of SKA science to a wide audience. 
   

Social equity

• The SKAO will foster an equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment across all its sites and partnerships, with zero tolerance of discrimination and a focus on staff wellbeing. SKAO will promote diversity through fair and transparent recruitment and employment practices.  We will remove barriers to participation for under-represented groups through implementing international best practice in recruitment and accessibility.
• A staff group, “EDI Voice”, will provide input, feedback and advice in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. EDI Voice will be chaired by an external EDI expert to support SKAO’s goal to achieve best practice.
• The SKAO will support the development of the communities in which it is based. We will work respectfully and collaboratively with those communities to improve the lives and opportunities of community members, including through employment, contracting, outreach and broader activities. SKAO will actively encourage local participation by its suppliers as part of its procurement processes.
• The SKAO recognises and acknowledges the Indigenous peoples and cultures that have traditionally lived on the lands on which our facilities are located. SKAO will meet our commitments, provide employment and contracting opportunities, and ensure that the voices of indigenous communities are heard by a broad range of stakeholders in SKA activities.

Radio spectrum 

• The SKAO will continue to co-host the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky (CPS) until at least 2030 to serve as the leading voice for astronomical matters that relate to protection from satellite constellations, and to bring all relevant stakeholder groups together. Through the CPS, SKAO will coordinate efforts and unify voices across the global astronomical community, contributing to the sustainable use of space and the radio spectrum. 
• The SKAO will engage in the ITU, UN-COPUOS and other international bodies to support the protection of existing spectrum allocations to radio astronomy, preserve regulatory measures such as radio quiet zones and promote new mechanisms, including through technical analysis.

Education and opportunities

• The SKAO will advance education and capacity building in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through its global presence and partnerships. 
• The SKAO will contribute to initiatives that inspire and develop the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technicians, with a focus on the communities where we operate. 
• The SKAO will deliver accessible educational resources and outreach activities that increase public understanding of astronomy, sustainability, and the societal value of science.