Going Green

TV and film production has a big impact on climate change (1 hour of TV produces 13.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide, three times the energy of a home for a year!). So here at Nelson Nutmeg Pictures we’re looking to reduce our carbon emissions, and to be eco-friendly wherever possible (for example, we’ve switching to a renewable energy provider for our electricity and gas).

albert - the home of environmental sustainability for the UK screen arts.

We’ve just attended a BAFTA course on Carbon Literacy under their new ‘albert’ scheme (to support the transition to environmental sustainability). Sustainable production aims for continual reduction in carbon emissions and waste, with a goal of zero negative impact.

The course was a real eye-opener, and has inspired us to commit to a more carbon-friendly approach to our filmmaking. Here’s a few things you can do (not just for production but in your daily habits, too!):

• Energy, transport and diet/shopping are the main areas where you can reduce your carbon footprint. You can help your everyday ‘carbon toeprint’ with a more eco-friendly attitude towards bottled water, paper use, recycling, batteries and so on.

• Energy reduction: low energy lighting, de-carbonise, use renewable energy providers.

• Transport: reduce, de-carbonise, use local cast & crews (where possible) and encourage car-sharing to and from set. Use ‘green car hire’ for taxis/pickups. Walk, cycle or use public transport to avoid single occupant car journeys.

• Production: go paperless, recycle goods/materials. Purchase of pre-used props/costumes wherever possible. At the end of filming, share your production footprint and look at the options to offset your emissions.

• Diet/catering: Have a ‘meat free’ day as part of your catering. No plastic or single-use cups, plates and cutlery.

The good news is that a lot of the above can be applied with a casual switch of mindset – so we can all do our bit to contribute to a more carbon-friendly lifestyle. It’s not just for TV and film production; anything that helps to keep the Earth’s temperature under the target excess of 1.5 degrees is good for us and the planet.