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Sustainable film production is a necessity for the health of our environment globally. 

Soon producing green and sustainable films will play a leading role in the global film production industry. 

By incorporating green, sustainability into pre-production, during production and post-production, will give huge added value to each film, photo, and video produced

In this blogpost, you’ll learn about all aspects of Sustainable Film Production. 

Starting at what’s happening right now and the current situation of the film production industry, pre-COVID and post-COVID. 

Exploring what the causes and the impacts we have on the environment as an industry, with interesting data to support the research.  

We learned some incredibly interesting examples of who in the industry has been incorporating sustainable practices and wanted to give you a breakdown of the (extensive) research we have conducted into how, as an industry, we can improve our carbon footprint and become more sustainable. 

This blog post is more of a how we can fix it, rather than, the humans messed up, we’re screwed.

Let’s go!

CONTENTS

1. What is Sustainable Film Production?

Sustainable film production looks at environmental, economic, and social issues in pre-production, production, and post-production. 

Sustainability should be strongly considered and incorporated at all levels of filmmaking. 

Sustainability and green filmmaking stands the best chance of succeeding when all the participants are involved throughout the filmmaking process. 

The film, cinema, and visual production have an enormous persuasion power across the world. 

What’s the power? 

The power of the film production industry has/is, being able to channel their creative processes and stories, relaying positive sustainable messages in the form of movies, film, TV, advertising, entertainment, etc. 

From our research for this blogpost, we are confident that the film production industry can set a positive example whilst saving money on production… 

(Yes it’s true and we have lots of information backed with data to prove it below)

It’s very easy to overlook the environmental impact of what you see on TV, mobile phones, or the cinema screen. 

The connection between what we see and the huge efforts that go into the creation is just too well-hidden for most of the world, who aren’t behind the scenes to notice. 

Let’s go!

2. The Current Situation In The Film Production Industry

bali film gear rental 11

The film industry challenges are never easy, with so many strings to its bow. It can be difficult to track each part of the production and the specific effects it has on the environment. 

With the world opening and restrictions lifting, the film production industry is returning to normal.

Production – COVID-19

You may already know the score

The COVID-19 pandemic created a major upheaval in the entertainment industry. 

Most cinemas, theaters, and concert halls were shut for at least a year and TV and film production halted for months, leading to hundreds of thousands of layoffs and large sums of investments and money lost.

The Chinese film industry had lost $2 billion by March 2020 and North America saw its lowest box office weekend since 1998 between March 13–15.

Because of all the COVID-19 protocols needed for a safe and preventorary film production, unfortunately, many of the sustainability strides made by productions have been thrown out of the window. 

Single-serve catering and plastic gloves have made a comeback and of course, there are thousands of disposable masks. 

Even the physical footprint is a lot bigger as productions need more space for cast and crew – double or triple the number of trailers. 

However, amidst pandemic 2020, due to the travel bans internationally, and life as we know it coming to a halt, air quality had improved and there was a noticeable reduction in water pollution. 

It was amazing to see popular tourist destinations like – Venice, which often had murky canals, becoming  clearer, with fish visible in the water. 

venice

There was also a huge drop in China’s nitrogen dioxide levels. Which wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for this drastic pause in human activity. 

What is happening now?

Sustainability and green filming have been overshadowed recently by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but how the production industry adjusts to the challenge of climate change and the part it plays in contributing towards it, remains an urgent priority.

Addressing environmental sustainability in the industry is a very positive, unifying, exciting, and necessary challenge for everyone. 

On top of that…

It is THE only possible way our industry can move forward – sustaining creativity in videography and cinematography for generations to come. 

We all know that the biggest challenge in production is time, we quite often feel like we are running against the clock.

And this can become an easy, sometimes valid excuse to avoid looking at becoming more sustainable. 

We put together a useful guide full of information for shooting a production whilst adhering to COVID rules + advice for shooting a production in COVID. Feel free to use it on your next production!

Facts and Figures

  • An average day of filming = equates to more than one person’s annual carbon footprint
  • An average hour of filming = equates to the carbon footprint of a return flight from London to New York.

The average television program produces 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide and a feature film is in the 1000’s! 

Fuel – used in production vehicles and generators – was typically the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions on film and TV productions, representing 48%-56% of emissions for films and 58% for scripted TV dramas!

And if that’s not enough

According to BAFTA, the British film organization, a single hour of television produced in the U.K. (fiction or nonfiction) produces 13 metric tons of carbon dioxide. 

That’s nearly as much CO2 as an average American generates in a year! 

A 2006 UCLA study found that the California film and television industry created:

  • 8.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
  • The U.S. film and TV industry as a whole were 15 million tons.
bafta

Yes, you read that right. 

And we know it’s hard to keep our green filmmaking hats on when the production timeline is so fast-paced, and the budget given is tight AF. 

Below is a chart showing the make-up of a production, the different departments + genre and the impact it has on its global carbon footprint. 

graphic

So, what are we getting at? 

There are examples of productions putting green practices into place, however, currently, there isn’t nearly enough being done to drive an overall impact.

Now is the time to take accountability, starting at pre-production right through to post-production, applying green filmmaking throughout.

  • Hollywood supports more than 2 million jobs and 400,000 American businesses.
  • British film and TV are worth around £60 million each day to the UK economy.
  • Countries like China are taking bold steps to grow creative output

(China’s film industry has had a high growth rate of 17% [per year] in the past five years). 

These are great numbers to be throwing around and for the economy. 

But at the cost of our Blue Planet? Let’s see…

Is The Film Production Industry Going Green ?

We’d like to think so.

The reason?

Well, deep down it doesn’t matter if it’s a PR campaign, a new way of thinking, or the most likely reason – trying to save the planet. 

As long as you’re incorporating it into your film production agency, pre and post productions, you are contributing towards sustainability. 

Globally, many film studios have adopted sustainable initiatives, including the “Big Five”: Universal Pictures:

  • Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros, Columbia Pictures, and Paramount Pictures. As well as large TV production studios like CBS.

Together as an industry, we have an impact on what happens behind the camera – how our content is produced. And we have a responsibility on-screen – acting as a role model.

Together, let’s continue, or start sharing stories that have a positive influence on communities across the world.

Is the Environmental Impact of Film Production That Big ?

100% yes, everyone has a part to play in doing their part for the environment. 

And the film industry is no exception. 

The entire life-cycle of a film’s environmental impact can be huge. The overall impact of film production is a combination of three key factors: scale, extent, and duration

  • Scale refers to the local, regional, national or global scale of the project. 
  • Extent refers to the size of the impact, or the area being affected. 
  • Duration considers how long the environment will be exposed to any impacts. 

One of the main pickles we are in is greatly down to poor planning. 

I think we can agree – that we are all guilty, at some point, forgetting about what happens behind the scenes to create the digital magic and why you were filming in the first place. 

But wait there’s more…

The Greenhouse Effect And Why It Matters

Science shows that we need to not just reduce our impact but exchange it for a positive impact. 

For its size, the film production industry produces a significant amount of emissions which requires big changes to reach zero carbon emissions and to be environmentally sustainable.

Netflix has committed to a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by the end of 2022.

FACTS:

  • IF the world heats up another 2+ degrees, there would be widespread and severe impacts on the population and nature.
  • 1/3 of the world’s population would be regularly exposed to severe heat, leading to health problems and more heat-related deaths. 
  • Almost all warm-water coral reefs would be destroyed, and the Arctic Sea ice would completely melt at least one summer per decade, with impacts on the wildlife and communities they support. 
  • A possibility of irreversible loss of ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic, leading to several meters of sea-level rise over time.

Below are images of what countries would look like if the world heats up another 2+ degrees.

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Scary right? This is why every fraction matters.

“The time for half-measures and climate denial is over. Unless we move quickly away from fossil fuels, we’re going to destroy the air we breathe, the water we drink, the health of our children, grandchildren, and future generations. If we’re going to avoid the worst of the impacts, then we’ve just got to act boldly. And we must act immediately.” – Robert Redford – Activist, Actor, Director, Producer.

Little consideration is given to the carbon emissions created from generators, or where beautifully crafted props spend the rest of their days.

In our research we found that: 

  • Internet search terms related to climate change mentioned most often aren’t the ones that have the biggest impact on reducing our carbon footprint
  • From the 25 words related to the environment that were tracked. Words with strong solutions, such as ‘carbon offset’ or ‘hybrid car’ were barely mentioned
  • While ‘climate change’ was the second-highest tracked term with 3,125 mentions. It was still way behind other terms such as –             ‘beer’ (21,648), ‘dog’ (105,245), and ‘tea’ (60,060).
  • When environmental terms were used, there was a preference to talk about issues and problems rather than solutions, (for example – ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ completely outweighed terms such as ‘electric cars’ or ‘solar power).

Does Going Green Add To The Cost?

The million-dollar question (quite literally).

The film industry is in a remarkable position where making environmentally conscious decisions is likely to make production cheaper rather than more expensive.

Producer Scott Franklin, who’s produced films like the Darren Aronofsky-directed “Noah” and “Black Swan”, said, “We’re getting to a place where we can see the future of it as a cost-cutting method.” 

It’s possible to make film production greener by using fewer resources and avoiding waste, by recycling and upcycling. 

This way the overall production costs will be decreased too. 

Check it out…

Million Dollar Question
  • Composting, recycling, and offering up props and set materials for reuse can cut waste disposal budgets by 40%
  • Exchanging disposable nine-volt batteries for rechargeable batteries can shrink battery costs down by nearly 60%
  • Earth Angels, (a full-service green production partner working to create an eco-friendly set) stated it has saved film company, productions $1.2 million
  • Green Production Guide from the Producers Guild of America points out that replacing plastic water bottles with refillable water tanks and compostable cups could save approximately $5,000 per 60 days for a crew of 100 people 
  • Jennifer Sandoval from Green Spark Group, research shows that sustainable filming, won’t have any additional costs and that they have mostly seen savings. 

The Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 movies saved 5%, or $4,732, of its total waste hauling expenses by composting and recycling.

Paramount Pictures’ “Noah” recouped about $45,000 from selling scrap metals. 

3. What Can Be Done?

Good News

Credit where credit is due

  • There has been a 10% reduction in the average carbon footprint from TV productions in the last two years. That’s 10% less CO2 e per hour of TV than in 2017-18
  • Baliprod are receiving more projects coming through our doors that explore or mention sustainability
  • There’s a shifting attitude within the industry that is emerging, from the top with brands, down through pre-production, post & the rest 
  • A strong desire is coming from the top to make the film more sustainable; it’s becoming more integrated into the production process.

And we are behind it!

Examples of Sustainable Film Production

Fifty Shades Freed is the third movie in the “Fifty Shades” phenomenon. The film production team worked hard to reduce their footprint, here are some examples: 

  • The film was shot straight after the 2nd movie (Fifty Shades Darker) which helped production combine and reuse materials
  • The set contained a solid recycling and composting program, where a Sustainability Production Assistant was hired to manage – resulting in 75% of waste diverted from landfills
  • Set dressing and materials were donated to Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Great Northern Way Scene Shop, MakerLabs, and Squamish Arts Council post-filming
Film Production
  • Worked with the Sustainable Lock-Up in Vancouver and Recycled Movie Sets in Los Angeles, to recirculate the stored sets from the trilogy for reuse and donation to local film schools, non-profits, and other productions
  • In total, 288 tons of set materials were donated to be reused and 99% of the trilogy’s sets were kept out of landfills. Fifty Shades Freed was a recipient of a 2016 EMA Green Seal Award
  • Eliminated plastic bottles = saved about 80,000 single-use bottles.

Downton Abbey

downton abbey

When filming in the United Kingdom, Downton Abbey film’s production team worked to reduce their carbon footprint. 

They received a 2019 EMA Green Seal for their efforts – here are some of their efforts: 

  • Sent all call sheets, scripts, and production documents electronically
  • No disposable food-service products on-site, and recycling/composting
  • Carnival Films stored sets from the six seasons that production was able to re-use or re-purpose to save the consumption of new materials
  • Disposables were saved by issuing the crew reusable water bottles
  • The sound department used reusable batteries
  • Post-production, the costume department donated $800 worth of fabric and materials to the Wimbledon College of Arts
  • Storage boxes and hangers were donated to local sewing and flower shops and set decoration
  • Leftover produce to The Hounslow Urban Farm to be used to feed animals. 

The X-Files (Season 10)

When filming in the United Kingdom, Downton Abbey film’s production team worked to reduce their carbon footprint. 
They received a 2019 EMA Green Seal for their efforts – here are some of their efforts: 

  • Sent all call sheets, scripts, and production documents electronically
  • No disposable food-service products on-site, and recycling/composting
  • Carnival Films stored sets from the six seasons that production was able to re-use or re-purpose to save the consumption of new materials
  • Disposables were saved by issuing the crew reusable water bottles
  • The sound department used reusable batteries
  • Post-production, the costume department donated $800 worth of fabric and materials to the Wimbledon College of Arts
  • Storage boxes and hangers were donated to local sewing and flower shops and set decoration
  • Leftover produce to The Hounslow Urban Farm to be used to feed animals. 

Solutions

It’s important to sound the alarm, but it’s also important to show people where the exits are too. And all is not doomed, there’s ALWAYS something that can be done.

1. Production materials – reusing materials, buying virgin materials, and creating a sustainable set construction

  • Recycle cardboard, plastic, props, food, and drinks
  • Assess the green/ carbon footprint before erecting a film set.

2. Energy and water use – energy demand reduction, sustainable energy sources, and water demand reduction

  • Use reusable water bottles
  • Recycle rainwater
  • Set up large water filling stations.

3. Studio buildings and facilities – repurposing buildings, buying products as a service; and smart building management

  • Use solar energy. 

4. Studio sites and locations – consolidated movement, wayfinding, and communication

  • Plan travel movements, use local tour guides who know their way around the destinations
  • Carpool.

5. Full production planning – collaboration tools, virtual planning, and shared infrastructure

  • Super simple – GANTT chart
  • Use zoom for pre-production / post-production meetings.

The 10 Commandments Of A Sustainable Shoot

the 10 Commandments

1. SCRIPT (the message)
Include green values not only in your day-to-day work but also in the sequences of your film. 

Example: Show environmentally responsible behaviors through your film’s characters; the film’s message, credits to any external or internal environmental help.
2. SUPPLIERS (looking for eco-solutions)
Whenever possible, choose green suppliers that provide their services and products minimizing their environmental impact. 

Example: Use sustainable catering, renewable energy resources, buying eco-friendly only office supplies, etc.
3. TEAM (creating synergies)
Raise awareness among the team, implement motivational initiatives such as rewarding “green” people on set. 

Example: Appoint a green runner to organize and coordinate the process and set common environmental goals. 

4. ACCOMMODATION (looking for eco-alternatives)
Prioritize sustainable hotels that have a clear environmental policy and measure their carbon footprint. 

Example: Choose hotels or accommodation close to the main filming location. Or that have an eco-friendly/sustainable ethos.
5. COMPENSATION (taking care of the environment)
Offset your carbon footprint. 

Example: Implementing your reforestation project at the main filming location or following the advice of the environmental authorities or NGOs about solutions to offset your carbon footprint.
6. SPACES (leaving everything as it was)
Choose locations responsibly, considering factors such as proximity, environmental regulations, etc. 

Example: Organize waste separation, set up accessible recycling points to leave the location as it was.
7. TRANSPORT (organizing efficiently)
Whenever possible, choose electric or hybrid transport. 

Example: Organize the team to share transport, like carpooling in high-capacity vehicles. Additionally, organize all your journeys efficiently.
8. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE (core values)
Mainstream these values into all your film projects. 

Example: Try to minimize resources using only those that are necessary; reuse sets, costumes or donate them; and recycle as much as possible.
9. COMMUNICATION (talk about it)
Sustainable production is not only a fundamental action for the environment but also gives added value to your film. 

Example: Talk about sustainability on your website, social media, utilize your networks, promoting the visibility of your audiovisual project.
10. EVALUATION (being aware)
Be aware of the environmental impact of your production. 

Example: Assess your carbon footprint as well as the resulting carbon footprint after implementing green measures. Share your knowledge and experience with industry peers.

We didn’t come here to lecture you – here are some tips we’ve put together for production directors:

Director Tips

  • In pre-production, suggest using zoom or online meetings rather than traveling to meetings
  • If you must travel, use public transport where you can, and use a carbon-offset cab whenever available
  • Turn your computer and monitor off when you’ve finished using it (don’t just put it to sleep)
  • The paper used in production should be FSC certified and you should aim for at least 30% recycled content. Plus remember to recycle the paper when you’re done
  • Circulate a green memo to all cast and crew so everyone knows this is a green set, and that you support a green approach to filmmaking
  • Lead by example; have a reusable mug and water bottle, be seen to recycle your waste, and flatten cardboard for recycling
  • Make sure your HoDs and their teams are aware of the green policies on the shoot and encourage them to work with these considerations in mind
  • On location, leave the site as you found it
  • If the weather and schedule permits, consider shooting with available light
  • Appoint a monitor for each department to check that lights and computers are switched off at night
  • Don’t forget to recycle empty ink cartridges and toners depleted batteries, and waste electronic equipment (WEEE waste) from your office
  • Ask to have the shooting power source turned off before you leave the location
  • Share rushes and rough cuts digitally.

Writer-Director Tips

  • When writing drafts, make sure you recycle any paper you’ve finished with
  • Encourage script conferences over zoom rather than in person
  • Distribute drafts electronically
  • Recycle empty ink cartridges and toners, depleted batteries, and waste electronic equipment (WEEE) from your office
  • Acknowledge the natural world in your script and, where you can, build it into the narrative
  • Use green behavior as a positive trait for characters, and wasteful behavior as a negative one.
  • Try to depict green behavior on screen. Showing people cycling or using electric cars or recycling their waste can help normalize this behavior to audiences.

Environmental Production Guides

There are environmental guides for just about every industry. 

Where it might seem straightforward. These guides, courses, and information have been created to spark thought and action in places you may have not thought about previously.

To address any problem, to start we must measure our impact.

These guides have helpful calculators and templates to assist your production to be as sustainable as possible.

ALBERT 
ALBERT is the authority on environmental sustainability for film + TV. They have created a place to share, learn and act on film productions’ environmental impact.
ALBERT is funded by the film production industry, allowing them to make their tools, training, and resources, which are totally free to use.
Their handbook is full of tips, advice, and case studies from peers within the industry to help you make sustainable changes to the way you work.
ALBERT has a section on their website with lots of editorial information, that provides meaningful, strategic, environmental audience engagement. They also host regular events, offline and online.

Baliprod is a registered member of ALBERT.

Green Production Guide

This website offers:

It also includes a database of vendors, with info about their services, experience, and locations. 

The Green Production Guide is supported by NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS, Amblin Partners, Sony Pictures Entertainment, HBO, Netflix, Amazon Studios, Disney, WarnerMedia, 20th Century Studios, CBS & Participant Media. (who’s name dropping? Not us)

Reel Green

Reel Green offers free carbon footprint courses to members of the motion picture industry. 

The 6-hour workshops trains:

  • How to have a sound understanding of the science of climate change
  • Understand how to act to reduce their impact
  • Recognize the impact that production has on the environment
  • Knowledge of the tools and techniques to lessen this impact.

The Bright Future of Sustainable Production

Well… to cut it short we get to keep on creating! 

Imagine walking onto a location, and hearing silence except for the sound of the crew. 

Imagine walking into the studio, lights blazing but the air is fresh and cool. 

Imagine sitting in the production office, knowing that the only impact of what is being done is good for culture. 

Imagine it… because it’s where we are heading.

bright future
giphy

The film and TV industry is becoming more environmentally friendly, adopting green practices and remote production, switching away from power-hungry equipment, polluting power sources, and travel. 

Plus, reflecting sustainable thinking onto the consumer’s screen. 

Where there was once a small but very devoted group of sustainability champions, we now see an army of industry professionals all keen, willing, and working hard to implement change. 

Industry leaders and production houses are investing in and developing programs that help to do the right thing for the planet because they can finally see that waiting any longer, means to get left behind. 

They are now paying real attention and putting real resources into programs that have real teeth. 

Just like a pebble in a pond, the rings spread outward, and education is stepping up to support the 360 of film sustainability. 

4. Is Indonesia a Sustainable Solution?

As mentioned above, the film production industry and what they produce have great powers of persuasion. 
Our motto is – think globally, act locally.
Our co-founders Josh Patil, Omri Ben-Canaan, and Romain Cailliez saw the huge potential for Indonesia to become an eco-friendly, world-class production hub. 

Film production in Indonesia has significant cost reductions in many different aspects. With increased efficiency and time-saving. 

Baliprod strives for all our projects to be as productive, profitable, and sustainable as they can. 

Our team is passionate about working ethically and in an environmentally and socially conscious manner. 

We adopt a proactive approach when considering potential environmental impacts. We will continue to tell the stories because we know there are so many, and it’s our passion to tell them.

Being a full-service production agency, we are based in one region, providing services to all around the globe, within a smaller / shortened amount number of travel moves, than other countries. 

This reduces carbon footprints and greenhouse gases.

And as mentioned, reducing film production’s carbon footprint will have a significant impact on the environment. So by using fewer resources, that means production costs are much cheaper too!

We are blessed:

Indonesia has 12-hours of daylight throughout the year, making it possible to reduce the number of days of production. This has a ripple effect on the use of everything that goes down on a shoot and reduces the environmental impact of production.

It’s one of the most populated countries in the world, with nearly 240 million people.

A whopping 60% of the country is covered with forests and jungles. And one of the most biodiverse places in the world. 

Our mission is to protect these numbers. (link to our CSR page) 

We own and manage everything in-house, from; equipment, cameras, catering, construction, costume & wardrobe, craft service, electricity, locations, make-up, special effects, sound, and transportation. 

Giving us full control of being able to work to not just the highest technical, but sustainable standards too.

Our goal is to reduce the load we place on the planet and reach carbon neutrality – that is, to add no new carbon into the environment, both by decreasing our energy and materials. And going back to Why Indonesia, is a great example of why production is a sustainable solution in Indonesia.

sustainable solution

It Starts From Within…

Don’t just talk about it, be about it. 

Production is a temporary circus. 

It’s like throwing a wedding every single day. 

Each production department has to consider specific requirements, which include:

  • Electronic communications in the production office
  • Carpooling; the use of electric cars
  • LED lights in the studio, and rechargeable batteries in the sound department
  • (as often as possible) sustainably-produced costumes
  • Catering services that rely on local food, reusable silver, and dishware
  • Waste separation and access to grid power onset (when the locations allow us). 

The film industry can both set an example and save money by reviewing and revising production methods to reduce the amount of energy and resources used. 
Using the carbon footprint monitor sheets, Baliprod reviews each production to see what went well and what can be improved for the next production project!
What is more, the messages woven into a capturing story on the big screen, do have an impact on minds and hearts! 
Do you think we have mentioned – cinema and the visual media have great powers of persuasion enough?

production department

A well-shot story about an extraordinary man will be much more engaging than a boring, hard-to-read script, repeating the fact that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are rising. 

It’s about trying to find a new way to connect people emotionally. 

We teamed up with Pixars, Dana Frankoff to produce a multiple award winning short documentary, to raise awareness about the problem of plastic pollution in the ocean.

5. COP26 – What To Expect

COP26 is the next annual UN climate change conference, it will host the most important climate change discussions of our time. 

But with so much jargon to process, it can be hard to keep on top of what’s going on. 

Here’s our – quick – easy to read points explaining what is hoped to be achieved at the conference:

  • Secure global net-zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach;

  Countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century. To deliver on these targets, countries will need to accelerate the phase-out of coal, curtail deforestation, speed up the switch to electric vehicles, and encourage investment in renewables.

  • Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats;

  The climate is already changing and it will continue to change even as we reduce emissions, with devastating effects. It’s key to work together to enable and encourage countries affected by climate change to protect and restore ecosystems, build defenses, warning systems, and resilient infrastructure and agriculture to avoid loss of homes, livelihoods, and even life.

  • Mobilise finance;

  To deliver on the first two goals, developed countries stick to their promise to mobilize at least $100bn in climate finance per year by the end of 2020. International financial institutions must play their part and need to work towards unleashing the trillions in private and public sector finance required to secure global net zero.

  • Work together to deliver;

  We can only rise to the challenges of the climate crisis by working together. It’s a must to finalize the Paris Rulebook (the detailed rules that make the Paris Agreement operational), and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society.

6. What The Big Guys Have To Say

big guys

Big-name companies such as BBC, ITV, Channel 4, UKTV, Sky, TG4 or Netflix, are required to calculate each production’s carbon and then create a ‘Carbon Action Plan’ from the result.

Statements from:
‘NBCUniversal is committed to sustainability. Our Green is Universal initiative brings an environmental perspective to everything we do, informing and entertaining our audiences while driving more sustainable practices into our operations.’ NBCUniversal (Universal Pictures and Focus Features)
‘Sony Pictures is committed to playing our part towards greater environmental responsibility. We believe in leaving our world better than we found it, aiming to reduce our ecological footprint by pursuing policies and actions that combat climate change, preserve natural resources, and protect the health and safety of our community. We have several programs in place that support our sustainability goals.’ Sony Corporation (Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group)

It also starts closer to home… 

Even what seems like smaller initiatives such as eliminating plastic water bottles, does have a significant positive impact.

The path ahead is steep but is there no better industry, or time – to rise to the challenge and continue to lead the way – which we can achieve. 
By shining a big solar-powered production light on the most important issue facing the world today!

pixar

Sustainability in film production incorporates socially and environmentally responsible decision-making into the pre-production and production of all films produced.  

The sustainability of the film production should start at the launch of the production project, and involve all of the key stakeholders including the director, film producer, production, cast, and crew. 

From this blog post, you will know, green film production is not a myth. 

Being sustainable with your productions may seem like a daunting task, but with the right steps, it’s very much achievable and benefits your film in ways you didn’t otherwise know.

Screen Shot 2022 03 08 at 16.08.37

There is zero competition involved when it comes to being green and we hope we can all make a positive change.

We hope you are motivated by this somewhat depressing blog post, and will work together to create a sustainable future not just for the production industry but for the many generations to come.

Television and film has the power to inspire and shape people’s responses to issues, so use your platform to show positive actions on screen. 

This doesn’t mean making all of your productions about climate change, you might not even mention the C word. Make sure you are not normalising unsustainable behaviour on screen, 

You’re either part of the solution, or you’re going to be part of the problem. 

Now we’d like to hear from you:

Which tip or technique from this post are you going to try first?

Are you going to start using one of the sustainable production guides?

Or maybe you have already filmed some badass productions or have some on the horizon? 

Either way, let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

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