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Focusing on energy and travel is the fastest way to cut carbon emissions on a production and is a ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ requirement. Here’s our guide to the most effective ways to reduce emissions from these areas.

Energy

Tackling energy consumption is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce a production’s carbon footprint – and it can save money too. Opting for energy efficient equipment, switching off studio lights, kit and computers when out of use, and getting onto a renewable energy tariff are the fundamental basics for every production. Request everyone whose services you use has a renewable energy tariff too, including studios, post-houses and locations. If you’re going to use temporary power this is a major area to address.

Diesel or petrol in generators are fuels of last resort and should not be used in the UK without prior agreement with the commissioning editor.

To effectively make the switch from diesel/petrol:

1. Create a power plan to accurately assess your energy needs
2. Identify the best alternative, favouring the lowest carbon solution possible
3. Collect energy and fuel consumption data for accurate sustainability reporting

Create a power plan

Creating an effective power plan which focuses on what power you really need and how to provide it in the most efficient way possible not only reduces emissions, it can lower costs by minimising fuel use.

1. Assess

Evaluate energy needs across all departments. Encourage collaboration between heads of departments to identify the potential for savings, such as sharing a power source. This gives more opportunities for batteries and hybrid options.

2. Calculate

Accurately calculate your power requirements. You may find using the grid or battery solutions are more available and affordable if you accurately calculate the power you need. If you are using generators, they operate most efficiently when running at 75% or more of their maximum load. Rightsizing (matching the power demand of a project with the appropriate generator or utility package) with a smaller generator can reduce fuel consumption by over 10% for the same load. Using a bank of smaller generators vs one larger one can reduce fuel usage by up to 60%.

3. Identify

Pinpoint low-demand periods – like weekends or overnight – when full generator capacity isn’t needed. If you can’t use alternatives to generators for all filming set ups these are ideal times to switch to on-site renewables, battery or hybrid systems, which supply only the power required and significantly reduce fuel use.

4. Track

Track fuel consumption and generator/battery usage data (‘telemetry’). This not only simplifies reporting but also helps you finetune your setup for maximum energy and cost efficiency.

5. Question

Question your energy usage throughout production and look for opportunities for improvement. Explore sustainable options such as battery packs and solar-powered lights, rigs and facilities. Be ready to adapt your power plan if needed.

Best alternatives to diesel

Prioritise alternatives to diesel/petrol fuelled generators in the order below, listed from the most to least effective at reducing emissions.

Diesel or petrol in generators (highest emissions) should be used only as a last resort and must not be used on UK based shoots without prior agreement with the commissioner. This includes the use of diesel/petrol in hybrid generators.

1. Using mains power – most effective

If you can tie into mains power on a certified green tariff it will almost always be the most sustainable option. It also enables simple tracking and reporting of consumption. Check location mains supplies and tariffs as early as possible, requesting electricity supplier name and supply tariff type. If the tariff is ‘100% renewable’, supporting documentation will need to be provided (eg copy of electricity invoice confirming the tariff).

• COâ‚‚: up to 100% emissions reduction vs diesel
• Cost: low
• Skill uplift: low

2. Using renewables

On-site renewables can be used to supplement the power supply, eg mobile solar panels or wind turbine systems to charge batteries. Reduced energy bills can help off-set upfront costs as the energy produced is free.

• COâ‚‚: up to 100% emissions reduction vs diesel
• Cost: low-mid
• Skill uplift: low-mid

3. Using batteries or hybrid generators

Battery technology is evolving fast. There are full battery solutions for numerous production scenarios, whilst hybrid set-ups (battery + generator) maximise generator efficiency (reducing generator run time by up to 66%) and save fuel and money. As with standard generators, diesel should only be used as a fuel of last resort in hybrid set-ups, with certified alternative fuels employed instead to increase emission reductions.

• COâ‚‚: 25%-100% emissions reduction vs diesel, depending on type of solution
• Cost: mid (hiring an equivalent hybrid generator tends to be more expensive - but savings on fuel may offset some costs)
• Skill uplift: mid

4. Using certified alternative fuels – least effective

Where lower carbon technologies are not feasible, biofuels such as certified hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and synthetic fuels are a temporary solution in the transition away from diesel. Certified HVO is a paraffinic biodiesel made from waste materials, such as used cooking oil, that meets the European standard EN 15940 and is known as a ‘drop-in fuel’, which means it can be used in any diesel engine and generator and can be topped up with diesel in an emergency. When procuring HVO, request proof of ISCC and RFAS certification and supporting reports demonstrating the sustainable origins and production of the fuel. A reputable supplier should be able to prove supply chain traceability and transparency. Bulk/group level HVO deals may be available to productions at lower costs.

• COâ‚‚: up to 81% emissions reduction vs diesel
• Cost: low-mid (can be up to 50p per litre more expensive than diesel)
• Skill uplift: low

Note on hydrogen

Using green hydrogen is the cleanest non-mains option. Units can be large and are best suited to productions with few location moves (eg providing additional power at a back lot, sound stage or studio). Hydrogen must be from 'green' sources (produced with renewable energy). Grey hydrogen, which dominates the UK market, is made from fossil fuels and does not deliver emission savings. While hydrogen is an option for some productions, due to its high costs and more limited use cases we recommend productions focus on the four alternatives above.

• COâ‚‚: up to 100% emissions reduction (with green hydrogen) vs diesel
• Cost: high
• Skill uplift: mid-high

Travel

Travel is the biggest contributor to our industry's carbon emissions and on average is responsible for 50% of a production’s carbon footprint. Reducing it doesn’t mean creating content from our bedrooms, but we do need to consider the environmental impact when selecting locations and ensure that every trip delivers value for the carbon dioxide pollution it creates. Mindful travel is about making smarter choices, not fewer stories.

1. Reduce

Keep asking, do you have to travel? When considering locations are there closer, archive, remote production or VR alternatives? Does everyone have to go? Can you use local crews and kit? Can you consolidate locations and get more filming out of one place and avoid repeat trips?

2. Optimise

Once your locations and contributors are set, can you plan your schedule in the most efficient way, minimising distances? Are you transporting more people to a destination than the number who are there already? If so, can you swap and bring them to you? Can you use locations near public transport? Can you reduce the number of vehicles by carpooling or sharing transport, or hire a minibus or coach?

3. Electrify

Think electric vehicles, public transport, trains not planes in the UK and Europe wherever possible. Don’t forget using UK mainland domestic flights can imperil your albert certification. See .

4. Don’t forget the rooms

If you are overnighting choose hotels with good sustainability polices close to the location and opt for shared accommodation if appropriate.

For further ideas on how to reduce your production emissions check out our sustainable production principles.

Production case studies

Case studies on productions that have ditched diesel and taken other sustainable actions.

Reducing your carbon emissions has the potential to save money, as carbon is closely indexed to cost. However, we acknowledge that the transition to low carbon production can create pressure on budgets and schedules. If so, raise any concerns with the commissioning editor.

With thanks to for their contribution to the information on this page. 

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