500 Miles

500 Miles filmed in the Dublin region in October-November 2024.

The production was part funded by Screen Ireland which enabled the producers to access funding for a Sustainability Advisor.

The production utilised the BAFTA/albert carbon calculator.

An analysis was completed during prep to identify the potential sources of emissions on the production and to develop a strategy for minimising emissions to the greatest degree possible.

Scope 1 Emissions

Scope 1 are direct GHG emissions from sources controlled by an organisation.

On a film production the Scope 1 emissions come from;

• Facilities Generators
• Catering Generators
• Lighting Generators
• Standby Generators
• Facilities/Tech Trucks
• Props Runaround Vans
• Action Vehicles
• Crew Fuel Reimbursement

Scope 2 Emissions

Scope 2 are indirect GHG emissions from mains electricity used by an organisation.

On a film production the Scope 2 emissions come from;

• Mains electricity for Offices
• Mains electricity for stores and workshops
• Mains electricity for Studio spaces
• Mains electricity for LED volumes
• Mains electricity for Post Production

Scope 3 Emissions

Scope 3 are GHG emissions from upstream/downstream activities across an organisation’s value chain.

On a film production the Scope 3 emissions come from;

• Purchased goods and services
• Waste disposal
• Cast/Crew accommodation
• Cast/Crew travel

The analysis indicated a potential carbon footprint of 96.5 Tonnes made up of 71.2 Tonnes (74%) in Scope 1, 2.43 Tonnes (2.5%) in Scope 2 and 22.8 Tonnes (23.6%) in Scope 3.

The production set 10 sustainability goals.

Use less energy

Guidelines were issued to all departments outlining measures which will result in less electricity being used, and being wasted. Measures include turning off lights when not needed, plugging out equipment when not in use, and turning down the thermostat to 19 Degrees C.

Use less fuel

Guidelines were issued to all departments outlining measures that can be taken to reduce the amount of fuel burned on the production. Measures include a No Idling Policy, minimising journeys, car pooling, using the most efficient vehicle for a given purpose and switching off generators when not required. 

Use Renewable electricity & fuel

The generators were fuelled with HVO which has an emissions profile of 20% of that of mineral diesel. 

On-screen Sustainability

Opportunities to highlight recycling and other green activities on-screen were investigated.

Sustainable Food

The Catering provider chosen has a very strong sustainability ethos which includes buying locally produced ingredients, favouring menus/dishes with a lower carbon footprint, minimising waste, and proactively finding ways to utilise excess meals and ingredients in order to minimise food waste to the maximum possible extent.

Efficient Transport

HODs were provided with guidance on measures they can take to manage the transport of people, goods and equipment more efficiently. 

Waste Avoidance

The production operated a Zero Waste Policy and guidance was provided to crew and suppliers on measures they can take in order to minimise waste creation, to ensure all waste is segregated properly, and to facilitate the adoption of circular economy thinking in the film industry. 

Sustainable Materials

Guidelines were issued to provide crew with support in finding ways to identify and implement opportunities to utilise more sustainable materials in line with the production's Green Procurement Policy. A key element of this approach is to rent items, to purchase secondhand items, and to prepare Asset Disposal Plans to identify the most appropriate ways to dispose of items at the end of their life on the production.

Use a Carbon Calculator

The production calculated its carbon footprint using the BAFTA/albert carbon calculator. 

Obtain Certification

The production sought certification as a sustainable production from BAFTA/albert and received a score of 86%.

The emissions reduction measures undertaken led to a final carbon footprint of 80.35 Tonnes.

Scope 1 emissions were 51.4 Tonnes  (64%)

Scope 2 emissions were 5.28 Tonnes  (6.5%)

Scope 3 emissions were 23.7 Tonnes  (29%)

Positives

• The production had a very light footprint with regards to vehicles and equipment
• HVO fuel was used in the generators
• The cast and crew engaged positively with sustainability initiatives
• The carbon footprint of lunches served was 0.408 Tonnes per 100 dishes against a target of 0.450 Tonnes per 100 dishes.

Negatives

• There were 49 air travel journeys accounting for 7.9 Tonnes of CO2, 9.8% of the total.

Recommendations

Fossil fuels should not qualify as eligible expenditure under Section 481.

• DIRECTOR: Morgan Matthews 
• WRITER: Malcolm Campbell
• PRODUCERS: Alex Gordon, Keren Misgav, Martina Niland, David Thompson
• LINE PRODUCER: Patrick O’Donoghue
• SUSTAINABILITY ADVISOR: Stan Nangle