Download "Green transition in the audiovisual sector"

The European Audiovisual Observatory, part of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, has just published its latest free report - Green Transition in the Audiovisual Sector. This new report looks at the impact of the audiovisual sector on the environment. It examines international and pan-European legislation in this field, and then zooms in on national legislation and film funding criteria, to round off with a look at current carbon footprint calculating systems and collaborative approaches to sustainability in the sector.

Following an initial overview of the report, author Eric Munch opens chapter two with an exploration of the impact of the audiovisual sector on the environment.  This chapter identifies the significant impacts - both direct and indirect - of film production. It looks into the findings of studies highlighting challenges like the carbon emissions of on-location filming. The report presents examples of sustainable initiatives, including a short case study of Sky Studios Elstree, where technical innovations and massive recycling efforts are already making a difference. Moving on to new technologies, the chapter examines the more recent consequences of digital technology and consumption methods. The author highlights the increasing energy consumption of the massive data centres which handle our digital content and customer details. The environmental aspects of AI are also explored.

Chapter three takes a look at green legislation for audiovisual works - both at international and EU level. The report details the influence of international treaties like the Paris Agreement which entered into force in 2016.  We then move on to EU-specific legislation and examine the provisions concerning environmentally friendly practices in the audiovisual sector.  Of particular interest here is the Creative Europe Programme. The potential impact of recent wide-ranging EU Directives, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive, is also touched upon.  This chapter also examines the national implementation and how these directives could play a part in fostering environmentally conscious practices within the audiovisual sector.

Chapter four then explores the notion of sustainability in national law and also looks at the role played by film funding criteria in encouraging good practices. Four countries – Austria, France, Germany and the UK feature as case studies in this chapter. 

Moving on to the MEDIA Programme and Eurimages, the author explains that both of these pan-European funding systems include demonstrably sustainable production methods as criteria to be taken into account when the funding decisions are made. 

The final chapter five dives into the various carbon calculators, sustainability rating systems and collaborative approaches which have emerged as pivotal tools for assessing and mitigating the industry’s environmental impact. The author highlights various efforts and collaborative initiatives from various players, which provide practical insights for productions aiming to reduce emissions and demonstrating how industry-wide cooperation can achieve significant progress.

A must-read new report on the state of the green transition in Europe’s audiovisual industries.

NB. an initial version of this report was launched on 12 December but it was withdrawn for revision. This is the up-dated version.