Developing an environmental strategy for UK film - BFI

o “By 2020 the UK Film Industry will have reduced its carbon footprint by 30%,”
or,
o “By 2020 the UK Film Industry will have increased the amount of
waste recycled or composted by 50%.” (Targets to be refined as part
of the environmental plan)
• The UKFC should initiate an ‘Environmental Plan’ for UK Film, an initiative to drive
forward understanding, awareness and improvements in environmental performance
throughout the UK film industry.
• To avoid a fragmented approach to environmental sustainability within the industry it is
recommended that the UKFC consider:-
o Initiating, on behalf of UK film, an industry stakeholder/working group,
which brings representatives from the film industry together to look for
common ground/common starting point with an agreed environmental
vision and environmental agenda;
o Hosting an industry conference to raise awareness of environmental
issues, celebrate best practice and encourage an agenda for change;
o Meeting members of the film industry who are working on
environmental sustainability such as Film London, BAFTA, South West
Screen, Pinewood Studios, 3 Mills Studios and the Digital Women’s
Network (for example) to look for synergies in research/work and to
deliver a strong environmental message to the industry;
o Engaging with other organisations such as NGO’s (Friends of the Earth
and World Wildlife Fund) and organisations (Carbon Sense, Best Foot
Forward, Arup, International Visual Communication Association,
Stakeholder Forum, Ridlington & Richards, SEA-renue, for example), to
look for synergies in research/work and to formulate joined up thinking;
o Meeting representatives from the BSI to discuss the development of a
British Standard for the film industry, the BSI are already in the early
stages of investigating a standard; and,
o Meeting with representatives within the industry and other interested
organisations who are keen to develop green filming guides.
• There is a need to develop the knowledge base, a need for comprehensive environmental
training programmes utilising known resources and training routes. Successful
implementation of any form of environmental sustainability measures throughout the
industry will require skills and experience; this will ensure the sound delivery of
environmental sustainability and sound future investment. it is recommended that the
UKFC consider:-
o Funding training placements for members of the production teams e.g.
runners and/or fund a sustainability champion placement for each UKFC
funded production;
o Funding educational programs such as training workshops and online
resources;
o Working alongside training providers and/or offering funding to training
providers to disseminate messages and training throughout industry.
There is a clear role for the National Film and Television School,
Skillset, Media Training Northwest etc to incorporate environmental
training; and,
- iii –
Developing an Environmental Strategy for UK Film