Developing an environmental strategy for UK film - BFI

needed. Measures will directly influence approximately £60 billion of the £150 billion public
sector expenditure, delivering about 1 million tonnes of CO2 savings by 2020.
The UK Government will judge success by progress in the following areas:-
• By 2020, the Government office estate would have reduced its emissions by around
180,000 tonnes of CO2;
• Save around 75,000 tonnes of CO2 by 2010/11 from road vehicles;
• Achieving a carbon neutral office estate by 2012 through offsetting between 475,000 and
550,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum;
• By 2009, around 100,000 tonnes of CO2 per year will be offset through the air travel
offsetting scheme (to which all Departments have signed up);
• By 2020, the Government would increase its energy efficiency by around 100kWh per
square metre and save around £1 million (based on net present value);
• By 2020, the Government estate would reduce its total waste arising by 30,000 tonnes
and recycle around 65,000 tonnes of waste;
• A total of 220 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the Government estate would
be in target condition by 2010; and,
• By 2020, the Government estate would have reduced its office water consumption by
around 65,000 cubic metres.
Air freighted food, mainly fresh fruit and vegetables, account for 0.1 per cent of the UK’s total
food miles and generates 13 per cent of total food transport CO2 emissions. Responsible and
local purchasing reduces CO2 and stimulates the local economy.
Currently, it is at the discretion of ministers if the Sustainable Procurement Action Plan will apply
to NDPBs or not. This may change in the future with sustainable procurement potentially
becoming mandatory for all NDPBs.
The Film Industry should follow the example of the Government’s Sustainable Procurement
Action Plan, due to environmental benefits such as reduced waste and reduced CO2 emissions.
Large film industry organisations such as studios, major distributors, VFX houses and processing
labs could adopt similar supply chain management practices as the UK Government. Sustainable
procurement would benefit the large companies by:-
• Reducing costs
• Increasing efficiency
• Improving company image
• Improving supplier relations
• Contributing towards meeting the UK’s environmental challenges
Larger companies would then help to pave the way for smaller companies, such as small
production companies, by improving standards, communication and efficiency within the supply
chain, and creating a demand for more sustainable practices. Additionally, smaller companies
could work together in a cluster to bring about change; to reduce costs and increase buying
power, thus encourage a localised sustainable supply chain. Smaller companies will also
experience the same benefits as larger companies detailed above; and, due to their scale, positive
impacts such as cost savings and public image have potential to amplify business success.
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