Many people don't think twice about the environmental impact of the content they consume at the cinema or on their televisions. The connection between what is seen on screen and the energy expended to create it is just too distant. This disconnect has, so far, allowed the film and TV industry to avoid the scrutiny of their sustainability credentials that other industries, like fashion, have been forced to reckon with. Yet, for its size, the industry produces significant emissions. On average 48.7tCO2e are emitted for every screened hour of TV or film – the equivalent of driving around the world nearly six times in the average diesel car, and the rise of streaming services means we are consuming more media than ever before.
While audiences might be less aware, sustainability is gaining traction as a key driver for UK productions. Leading the charge is "albert", the BAFTA-led organisation founded in 2011 that aims to "support the film and TV industry to reduce the environmental impacts of production and to create content that supports a vision for a sustainable future". The albert sustainability certification is a key element of this. Similar in aim to the BREAAM or NABERS accreditation systems in the construction industry, the albert certificate requires productions to complete a carbon footprint assessment and implement strategies to minimise emissions in key areas such as energy, travel, materials and waste. The albert certificate has become the industry standard for UK TV productions and is now a mandatory requirement for all new BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Sky TV commissions.
Levers for change
Although the UK TV industry might be embracing sustainable processes, the film industry has been slower in its uptake, the comparable scale of productions presents a clear barrier. While there are now many resources that tell production companies how to reduce their environmental footprint, the incentives to catalyse industry-wide adoption of those best practices still appear to be lacking. To accelerate this change, responsibility for sustainability must be allocated to all parties involved in the production rather than just the lone sustainability consultant on set. To this end, four 'levers for change' will be crucial:
Financing
In 'A Screen New Deal', the 2020 joint report produced by ARUP, albert and the BFI, the lack of sustainability requirements imposed by investors and grant-making bodies in film production was highlighted as a key reason for the industry's indifference towards sustainability. Investors and funding bodies therefore have a crucial role to play in incentivising the UK film industry's transition to sustainability.
Since the report some funders, such as the BFI and BBC Film, have taken the step of making sustainability certification mandatory, with albert reporting a 37% increase between 2022 and 2023 in the number of feature films completing their footprint assessment. There is also an increasing appetite among investors for sustainability-aligned investments with global ESG assets under management (AUM) predicted to surpass $40 trillion by 2030, representing over 25% of projected total AUM. By adopting sustainable working practices, production companies would be able to access new sources of ESG-themed capital.
Tax
Closely linked to financing are tax incentives. Described by Sir Peter Bazalgette, the Government's adviser on creative industry policies, as an 'international arms race', tax credits are a powerful way of luring productions to the UK. First introduced in 2007, these tax reliefs have significantly contributed to the growth of film production in the UK, making it the second largest production hub in the world. Pegging the level of tax credits that productions can receive to their sustainability performance could super-charge the industry's transition.
Filming locations
Many of the iconic filming locations we are familiar with can be found in the UK's national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty or other protected spaces. Including contractual sustainability requirements or offering discounts on location hiring fees is another way productions could be incentivised to take a more proactive approach to sustainability. One example of where this is already being implemented is at Film London, which operates a locations discount scheme in partnership with key locations in the capital for productions that sign up to their Green Screen programme.
Talent
Actors are the heart of any film and, as has been evidenced in recent years, whether it be the #MeToo movement or the WGA & SAG-AFTRA strike, they also hold the power to prompt significant change within the industry. Awareness of how this power could be used for the benefit of the planet is gaining greater prominence. Launched in 2023, Equity's 'Green Rider' provides a set of clauses that creative workers can add to their contracts, setting out the sustainable actions they are willing to take, and what they require of the production in return.
Looking ahead
The integration of sustainability into production processes is not only an ethical imperative but also a strategic opportunity. By leveraging funding mechanisms, tax incentives, and the influence of locations and talent, the industry can drive meaningful change. Future actions should focus on embedding sustainability as a shared responsibility across all stakeholders, ensuring that environmental considerations are integral to every stage of production.
As the dust settles after another awards season and the industry looks forward, continued collaboration and innovation will be essential to achieving a sustainable future, aligning with broader societal goals and setting a precedent for other sectors to follow.