Sustainability in Production

By the end of the course, participants will:

Knowledge

• Understand the foundations of sustainability (People, Planet, Profit) and why it matters to production.
• Learn key UK laws and governance affecting production.
• Understand carbon emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3 and how they apply to film and TV.

Skills

• Recognise high-impact areas of production.
• Identify practical low-carbon alternatives, including EV transport, hybrid power, HVO, hydrogen carriers, and battery systems.
• Confidently interpret and use carbon calculators and emissions data.
• Integrate sustainability planning into recces, budgets, schedules, and department briefs.

Application

• Implement realistic sustainability actions tailored to production budgets and constraints.
• Spot common pitfalls, greenwashing risks, and compliance issues.
• Create and champion department-level sustainability initiatives.
• Work effectively with sustainability teams, suppliers, and industry organisations.

This course is designed for anyone working in film, TV, streaming, or branded content who needs a practical understanding of sustainability:

• Producers and Line Producers
• Production Managers and Coordinators
• 1^st ADs and Production AD teams
• HODs
• Sustainability Managers and Production Executives
• Freelance crew wanting to upskill
• Studios, facilities companies, and suppliers

No prior sustainability knowledge is required. Ideal for productions working toward sustainability certifications, company ESG goals or internal targets.

1. Sustainability Fundamentals

• What sustainability really means
• How production impacts the environment
• How climate change is already impacting production schedules, budgets, and risk

2. UK Governance and Regulation

• Overview of old and new legislation
• New CMA enforcement powers

3. Carbon Emissions & the GHG Protocol

• Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions explained for production
• Where emissions really sit in film/TV
• Why transport, generators, and materials dominate operational footprint

4. Practical Solutions for Production

• What productions are already doing
• What “good” looks like
• HOD-level responsibilities and achievable on-set behaviours
• How to set up a sustainability council on production

5. Transport

• Electric Vehicle (EV) pros and cons
• Charging realities, range, and cost considerations
• Mobile EV charging options
• Transport policies including anti-idling, ride sharing, and local crew
• Tips for low-budget productions

6. Power Solutions

• Diesel vs alternatives
• HVO / biodiesel
• Hydrogen
• Battery systems & hybrid power
• Solar, energy storage, microgrids

7. Materials, Waste & Logistics

• Costume/props reuse and recycling
• Set circularity: storage, gifting, recycling
• Eco paints and materials
• Blockchain, logistics apps, and digital tools

8. Food, Facilities & Behavioural Actions

• Meat-free days
• Portioning, waste segregation, and anaerobic digestion
• Water bottle policy
• Engagement apps for cast and contributors
• Reward schemes for departments

9. Carbon Calculation

• What carbon calculators measure
• Interpreting data and avoiding common errors
• Linking metrics to actual behaviour change
• Crediting and reporting best practice

10. Industry Organisations

• Overview of key groups and initiatives supporting sustainable production

11. Q&A / Discussion