The Unstoppable Carbon Shadow of Film and TV
This report, released by the Sustainable Production Alliance (SPA) in March 2021, uses production data collected between 2016 and 2019 to establish an industry baseline for carbon emissions in film and television. The data was gathered using the Production Environmental Accounting Report (PEAR) tool.
1. Major Sources of Emissions
For feature film productions, fuel consumption is the single largest contributor to the overall carbon footprint.
| Emissions Source (Tentpole Films) | Percentage of Total Carbon Footprint | GHG Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Consumption | Nearly 48% | Scope 1 (Direct) |
| Air Travel | ~24% | Scope 3 (Value Chain) |
| Utilities (e.g., purchased electricity) | ~22% | Scope 2 (Indirect) |
| Accommodations/Housing | 6% | Scope 3 (Value Chain) |
2. Production Carbon Footprint Averages
The figures represent the average total carbon footprint, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
Feature Films
| Production Type | Average Carbon Footprint (Metric Tons CO2e) |
|---|---|
| Tentpole Films | 3,370 |
| Large Films | 1,081 |
| Medium Films | 769 |
| Small Films | 391 |
Note: A Tentpole Film averages approximately 33 metric tons of CO2e per shooting day.
Television Series (Per Episode)
| Production Type | Average Carbon Footprint (Metric Tons CO2e per Episode) |
|---|---|
| 1-hour Scripted Drama | 77 |
| 1/2 hour Scripted Single-Camera | 26 |
| Unscripted Shows | 13 |
3. Conclusion
The findings highlight that priority areas for emissions reduction in the film and television industry should primarily focus on:
- Fuel Consumption: Transitioning to electric fleets and mobile battery power.
- Air Travel: Implementing policies to reduce and offset travel impact.
- Utilities: Utilizing cleaner energy sources for stages and offices.
Resource: SPA Carbon Emissions Report