Green Film Label TM
The GREEN FILM LABEL TM is a monitoring scheme with the purpose of developing, implementing and evaluating environmentally-friendly working practices in film production. The scheme is developed and run by UK-based GREEN FILM PRACTICES LTD and it is our ambition to have the GREEN FILM LABELTM appear on the end credits of all films produced in Europe that have received any form of state aid or production support, either in form of direct production subsidy or tax breaks. The scheme is also open to films that have not received production support.
Combating climate change and protecting the environment has become one of our time’s major issues. EU has earmarked EUR 414 million to the environment in 2009, and national governments are allocating greater parts of their domestic spending to ensure we have a sustainable future. Similarly, new environmentally-focused legislation is increasing, and with that, a greater burden has been placed on the consumer and manufacturer to keep abreast of changes. The 1998 Aarhus Convention was a landmark in environmental citizenship, establishing rights in relation to public information and participation, and the EU is championing the notion of shared responsibility between governments, producers and consumers. Certain legal principles are also emerging alongside these developments, most notably the Precautionary Principle which no longer places the burden of proof of environmental damage on the potential victim thereof, but on the manufacturer to prove its absence before manufacturing even begins. Yet, given the complexity of film production, it would be nearly impossible for the individual film producer, regardless of goodwill, to satisfy these criteria which now appear to be trickling down through most EU legislation.
Green Film Practices is convinced that on the whole, producers want to adopt green working practices, but either can’t afford to or find the complexity of the research, required knowledge and recommendations, too daunting. Often, they do not know where to begin to navigate the myriad of initiatives, recommendations, and legislation. Furthermore, they do not have the resources or liquidity to implement and follow green working practices on their own. Film companies are unfortunately often hand-to-mouth businesses and frequently find it difficult to cash-flow their operations. Green Film Practices therefore believes that if we are to achieve a greener film industry, we cannot rely on the ability of the individual producer to research and follow through this ambition. Instead, we must provide an easy-to-access, structured and financially rewarding approach.
The GREEN FILM LABELTM is modelled after other voluntary schemes already operating in the film industry. The American Humane Association has monitored the treatment of animals during filming since 1940, and monitors over 1000 productions a year. A major difference is of course that cruelty to animal is clearly definable, while green practices are constantly evolving. That taken into account, the GREEN FILM LABELTM draws its methodology from other environmental impact assessment labels, notably EU’s ECO Label, a labelling system for consumer products made in ways that are not detrimental to the environment.
Green Film Practices has adopted the GREEN FILM LABELTM to incorporate the continual research done by the world’s scientific community, notably from the assessments published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). According to scientific data, we are already experiencing an increase in climate change-related extreme weather phenomena such as Hurricane Katarina, which cost an estimated nearly US$ 90 billion in 2005. It is the Panel’s prediction that, if decisive global action is not taken, the earth’s surface temperature will continue to rise by 1.4°C-5.8°C by 2100.
Film production has the potential to pollute by the purchase of manufactured goods and services, the transportation of people and goods, and the generation of greenhouse gas emissions through the process of filming itself. The GREEN FILM LABELTM will evaluate all these sources, but understands that a film production’s capacity to choose environmentally-friendly manufactured goods and services may be limited. It is part of Green Film Practices’ mission to advice productions on environmentally-friendly goods and services that are available, and to apply pressure onto those manufacturers who have yet to implement manufacturing processes that are green.
The recommendations Green Film Practices makes to each production will be based on a carefully considered analysis and consist of a multifaceted combination of solutions. In some instances we will recommend ways to reduce emissions directly, by for example using energy saving light bulbs; in others we may recommend the participating in carbon dioxide emission offset schemes, either through carbon trading or direct donations to environmental charities such as Trees for Cities as offset for airline travel.
The GREEN FILM LABELTM scheme is an integral component in any commissioning body’s policy on developing sustainability and ensuring environmentally-friendly practices. In addition, it incentivises an exploration and implementation of innovative technologies as companies feel the pressure to deliver green products and services. As demands from environmentally-oriented legislation and regulations increase, the GREEN FILM LABELTM is a step towards a greener future, and a film industry that is both profitable and sustainable.