Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global weather patterns, including temperature patterns, precipitation patterns and extreme events. These shifts are primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes which release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere, trapping heat and leading to a warming effect known as the greenhouse effect.
As the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases (right hand scale), so does the temperature (left hand scale).
Climate change contributes to rising sea levels, melting glaciers, more frequent and severe weather events like hurricanes, flooding and droughts, together with disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity. The impacts of climate change can result in significant economic losses due to damage to infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism industries. Climate change also exacerbates air pollution, increases the spread of diseases, and poses risks to food and water security, impacting human health and well-being.
Between 1980 and 2022, weather and climate related extremes caused economic losses of assets estimated at €650 billion in the EU Member States, of which €59.4 billion occurred in 2021 and €52.3 billion in 2022.
Film and TV production has a significant carbon footprint, much of which is related to burning diesel and other fossil fuels to provide power on set, to transport people, materials and equipment, and to feed crew when they are at work.
This report provides an in depth look at the carbon footprint of a TV series produced in Ireland, the measures taken to reduce emissions, the impact those measures had, and the areas where improvements can be made in the future.
6 x 52 min Drama/Whodunnit
DIRECTOR - Hans Herbots/Mathias Lebeer
WRITER - Christophe Dirickx & Paul Baeten
LINE PRODUCER - Mick Walsh
PRODUCER - Paul Donovan, Kato Maes, Kristoffel Mertens
Production Office Opens July 22th, Closes Oct 25st
Shooting for 7 weeks from Aug 26th to Oct 11th
Expected to serve 70 meals per day
Direct GHG emissions from sources controlled by an organisation.
On a film production the Scope 1 emissions come from;
Indirect GHG emissions from mains electricity used by an organisation.
On a film production the Scope 2 emissions come from;
GHG emissions from upstream/downstream activities across an organisation’s value chain
On a film production the Scope 3 emissions come from;
A production of this size, at this budget, could expect the following emissions
Scope 1 Emissions:
Scope 2 Emissions:
Scope 3 Emissions:
Expected Total with no mitigation efforts +/- 220.00 Tonnes of CO2
(note, these estimates are based on very rough assumptions that can vary greatly depending on where the production is shooting, the number of unit/location moves and the number of foreign cast & crew)
Generators
Trucks
Vans
Cars
Production Office/Stores& Workshops/Post Production
Purchased Goods & Services
Waste
Travel
Accommodation
Scope 1 Emissions:
Generators
Measure - A Tier V generator was used by Lighting
Cost implication – Not quantifiable
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure - HVO fuel was used
Cost implication – 8280 litres of HVO was used with a marginal cost of €2,649.63
Emissions reduction - 22.72 T/CO2e
Measure - Fuel usage in generators was within anticipated range
Cost implication - no cost implication for the production
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure - Generator was switched off when not required.
Cost implication - Not quantifiable
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure - A Hybrid battery-generator was not used
Cost implication – n/a
Emissions reduction – n/a
Trucks
Measure - All trucks hired were to the Euro 5 engine specification
Cost implication - None
Emissions reduction - Significant reductions in NOx and PM 2.5
Measure - HVO fuel was not used in trucks due to logistics issues
Cost implication – - Fuel usage was negligible as trucks remained at one location
Emissions reduction - N/A
Measure - Guidelines were issued to all drivers emphasising the No Idling Policy
Cost implication - Saving on fuel cost and wear and tear for vehicle owners
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Vans
Measure - All Vans hired were to the Euro 6 engine specification
Cost implication - N/A
Emissions reduction - N/A
Measure - Fuel usage was negligible as Vans remained at one location
Cost implication - N/A
Emissions reduction - N/A
Measure - Guidelines were issued to all drivers emphasising the No Idling Policy
Cost implication - Saving on fuel cost and wear and tear for vehicle owners
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure - Guidelines were issued to all departments re. efficient journey planning
Cost implication - Saving on fuel cost and wear and tear for vehicle owners
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Cars
Measure - No EVs or Hybrid vehicles were used on this production
Cost implication - N/A
Emissions reduction - N/A
Measure - HVO fuel was not used in cars
Cost implication - 11,170 litres with a marginal cost of €0.20 = +/-€2,234 if HVO had been used
Emissions reduction - If HVO had been used there would have been a reduction of 30.65 Tonnes CO2e
Measure - Guidelines were issued to all drivers emphasising the No Idling Policy
Cost implication - Saving on fuel cost and wear and tear for vehicle owners
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure - Guidelines were issued to all departments regarding efficient journey planning
Cost implication - Saving on fuel cost and wear and tear for vehicle owners
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Scope 2 Emissions:
Production Office/ Stores & Workshops/ Post Production
Measure - 100% renewable electricity was not used
Cost implication - N/A
Emissions reduction - N/A
Measure - Guidelines were issued to all departments regarding energy efficiency
Cost implication - Saving on electrical bills
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure - Guidelines were issued to all departments regarding energy efficiency
Cost implication - Saving on gas and electrical bills
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Scope 3 Emissions:
Purchased Goods & Services
Measure - A Sustainable Catering policy was developed and shared with catering provider
Cost implication - None
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure - Catering provider undertook to give preference to locally produced food
Cost implication - None
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure Outturn - Veg 15%, Fish 0%, Chicken 15.45%, Pork 0%, Lamb 0%, Beef 24.57%
Emissions reduction Not quantifiable
Measure - Guidelines were issued to Set Dec and Costume and support was provided
Cost implication - None
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Waste
Measure - A Zero Waste policy was developed and shared with crew and suppliers
Cost implication - None
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure - A 3 Bin system was used on set and in the production office
Cost implication - None
Emissions reduction - N/A
Measure - Glon (NWCPO-22-12726-01)
Cost implication - None
Emissions reduction - N/A
Measure - Documentation provided to Accounts Department
Cost implication - None
Emissions reduction - N/A
Travel
Measure - Production minimised air travel for international cast
Cost implication - Cost saving
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Accommodation
Measure - A Sustainable Accommodation policy was developed and shared with potential providers
Cost implication - None
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
Measure - Weighting was given to the sustainability policies/measures undertaken by providers
Cost implication - Not quantifiable
Emissions reduction - Not quantifiable
01/08/2024
TINAMM DAC are committed to ensuring that the production will be as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. We understand that our activities have an environmental impact and that we must work to minimise our resource use, prevent pollution and limit our impact on biodiversity.
The Production will actively manage our carbon footprint using the albert carbon calculator to identify where our emissions are occurring and to guide our actions as we seek to reduce our emissions through energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, optimising the use of materials and other carbon emission reduction strategies. We will prepare a Carbon Action Plan to inform this process and we will actively work towards achieving sustainability certification from albert/BAFTA.
We all have a role to play in ensuring that our production minimizes CO² emissions and reduces the amount of waste produced. Crew have the best understanding and perspective on how to improve processes in their respective departments and we are committed to providing crew with knowledge, training and support to enable them to take tangible and effective action to reduce emissions and waste in their own department.
The Production will appoint a Sustainability Advisor who will provide support and advice in order to build the capacity of crew and suppliers to understand and address the climate and emissions reduction challenge. The Sustainability Advisor will work with key crew and suppliers to enable the collection and sharing of information and to identify areas where improvements can be made
_______________________________
Mick Walsh
Line Producer
Idling engines are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants which can cause asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Please turn off all engines when vehicles are stationary.
TINAMM DAC is committed to minimising its environmental impact and contributing to a sustainable future. This Green Procurement Policy outlines our dedication to responsible and eco-friendly purchasing practices. By integrating environmentally conscious criteria into our procurement process, we aim to reduce emissions, minimise waste, conserve natural resources, and support suppliers that have adopted sustainable practices.
Objectives
The objectives of this Green Procurement Policy are to;
Scope
This policy applies to all purchasing and hiring activities undertaken by TINAMM DAC. It encompasses goods, services, and equipment procured during the production process.
Policy Guidelines
Supplier Selection:
Energy Efficiency:
Transportation and Travel:
Eco-Friendly Materials and Equipment:
Paperless Operations:
Waste Management:
Compliance and Evaluation:
Conclusion
By adopting this Green Procurement Policy, TINAMM DAC commits to making environmentally responsible choices throughout the procurement process. We believe that our collective efforts in sustainable filmmaking can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a positive impact on the environment, society, and the industry as a whole. This policy will guide our purchasing decisions, driving us towards a greener, more sustainable future.
_______________________________
Mick Walsh
Line Producer
TINAMM DAC is committed to reducing waste, minimising our environmental impact, and promoting sustainability in our operations. This Zero Waste Policy outlines our commitment to achieving zero waste and provides a framework for our waste reduction efforts.
Policy Statement
TINAMM DAC is committed to achieving zero waste on this production. We define zero waste as sending nothing to landfill or the environment. Instead, we will strive to reduce waste at the source, reuse and recycle materials, and promote the use of sustainable products and practices throughout our operations.
Goals & Objectives
Our Zero Waste Policy aims to:
Implementation
To achieve our zero waste goals, we will:
Conclusion
TINAMM DAC is committed to achieving zero waste. We recognise that this is an ambitious goal, but we believe that by working together, we can create a more sustainable future for our planet. We are committed to continuously improving our waste reduction efforts and promoting sustainable practices in our operations.
_______________________________
Mick Walsh
Line Producer
Generators (HVO)
8.62 T/CO2e 62% reduction from estimate
Trucks
0.0 T/CO2e Negligible fuel use as trucks never left the estate
Crew Fuel Reimbursement
34.59 T/CO2e 63% reduction from estimate
Crew fuel reimbursement was significantly lower than estimated as production only filmed at one location
Production Office
0.25 T/CO2e 50% reduction from estimate
Stores & Workshops
0.50 T/CO2e 100% of estimate
Post Production
0.97 T/CO2e 97% of estimate
Food
9.62 T/CO2e 19% more than estimate (plate count 18% less than estimate)
The proportion of beef dishes served was 25%. Vegan & Vegetarian dishes accounted for 15% of meals served. Fish accounted for 15%. Chicken accounted for 45%.The average footprint was 0.419 T/CO2e per 100 dishes.
Costume
11.2 T/CO2e 100% increase compared to estimate
Work is needed on developing methodologies for consistently and accurately estimating the carbon footprint of costume purchases.
Set Dec/Props
4.3 T/CO2e 39% rincrease compared to estimate
Props requirement will vary from production to production. Work is needed on developing methodologies for consistently and accurately estimating the carbon footprint of Props/Set Dec purchases.
Waste
0.12 T/CO2e 76% reduction compared to estimate
A 3 Bin system was put in place which worked very well as the production was based at one location for the duration of the shoot. There is a need for support for bespoke waste management service providers for productions filming in the regions.
Accommodation
32.03 T/CO2e Estimate was 97.5% accurate
Accommodation requirements can be difficult to estimate in advance due to the number of variables that can come into play. On this production the number of bednights increased compared to the estimate but the proportion of self catering increased thereby reducing the carbon footprint per bednight.
Travel
50.55 T/CO2e Estimate was 100% accurate
Total 159.85 T/CO2e (27% reduction from estimate)
Note, 22% of this carbon footprint is as a result of burning fossil fuels in trucks, vans and cars. If these fossil fuels had been replaced with HVO fuel it would have had a marginal cost of less than €2,284.00.
(M = Mandatory Question F = Filter Question N/S = Non Scoring Question Y = Yes answer)
1: Is there a senior person accountable for implementing agreed sustainable goals M Y
2: Will the results of an albert draft carbon footprint be used to inform environmental goals? M Y
3: Have production staff or crew attended albert training or will they do so by the end of production? M Y
4: Will everyone on the production be sent a 'green memo' prior to filming, M Y
5: Will on-screen talent be informed of the production’s environmental goals prior to filming? M Y
6: Are the production's environmental goals routinely discussed at production meetings? M Y
7: Is the production asking all suppliers to contribute to the production's carbon reduction? M Y
8: Will an albert final carbon footprint be completed at the end of the production? M Y 9: Will the production give feedback on sustainable production initiatives to cast, crew & suppliers? M Y
10: Will the production create audience or industry-facing communications regarding sustainability? Y
11: Will the production document any Green Premium? Y
12: Has someone senior in the editorial/creative team been to editorial training on sustainability? M Y
13: Does climate, sustainability or the environment feature in the programme? F
14: Is the sustainability dialogue/commentary: NS
15: Which categories does the sustainable dialogue relate to: NS
16: Are there any props, background or actions that show sustainable lifestyles on screen? F
17: Which categories do the sustainable props, background or actions relate to: NS
18: Have you made verbal OR non-verbal reference/s, is the overall focus/tone of the sustainable content?
19: If your production is a series of 1-8 episodes which episodes do the references appear in?
20: If your production is a series of over 8 episodes do the references appear in?
21: Have you ensured that components of this production are not normalising unsustainable behaviour? NS
22: Is the production using a production office? F/NS
23: Are measures in place to reduce the environmental impact of your building? Y
24: Is mains power in production used from a 100% renewable sourced energy tariff?
25: Is there a zero-waste policy in your production office? Y
26: Are you filming in a studio? F/NS
27: Are there measures in place to reduce the environmental impact of your studio/stage facilities?
28: Are you using lights on set? F/NS
29: Are you using low energy lighting to reduce the amount of energy needed? M
30: Are you using mains power in studio? F/NS
31: Are you using mains power (no generators) as a primary power source in studio?
32: Is mains power used in studio from a 100% renewable sourced energy tariff?
33: Are you using generators in studio? F/NS
34: Have zero or low carbon generators been used? 35: Is there a zero-waste policy in studio?
36: Are you filming on location? F/NS
37: Are you using lights on location? F/NS
38: Are you using low energy lighting to reduce the amount of energy needed? M Y
39: Are you using mains power on location? F/NS
40: Is mains power used on the majority of locations from a 100% renewable sourced energy tariff?
41: Are you using mains power as a primary power source on location?
42: Are you using generators on location? F/NS
43: Have zero or low carbon generators been used? Y
44: Is there a zero-waste policy on location? Y
45: Is the production using post-production facilities? F/NS
46: Are there measures in place to reduce the environmental impact of the post-production facilities? Y
47: Is mains power in post-production used from a 100% renewable sourced energy tariff?
48: Is the production using paper? F/NS
49: Does the production have an opt-in policy for paperwork M Y
50: Has the production used paper from a verified sustainable source? M Y
51: Is the production using batteries? F/NS
52: Is the production using rechargeable batteries, including the sound department? Y
53: Is the production building sets? F/NS
54: Has the production used timber from a verified sustainable source?
55: Is (or was) the original set constructed using recycled or pre-used materials?
56: Has the construction company and art department primarily used low VOC or water-based paint? M
57: Will the majority of the set build be donated or reused after the end of the production?
58: Will the set (or remaining set) be recycled at the end of production? M
59: Are you using props? F/NS
60: Are the majority of props rented or purchased second-hand? Y
61: Are the majority of props reused or donated at the end of the production? Y
62: Are props (or the remaining props) recycled at the end of production? Y
63: Is the production hiring or purchasing any clothes and/or wardrobe accessories? F/NS
64: Is the costume department renting or reusing all items from other productions? Y
65: Is your costume department purchasing second hand items/new items with a sustainability standard Y
66: Are the majority of costumes reused, returned or donated at the end of production? Y
67: Are costumes (or the remaining costumes) recycled at the end of production? M Y
68: Are you using make-up? F/NS
69: Do you replace HMU consumables with brands that support the environment? Y
70: Are you using SFX? F/NS
71: Did you minimise the environmental impacts of any SFX?
72: Are you using reusable water bottles and/or cups for all cast and crew? M Y
73: Are you asking your cast and crew to bring their own reusable water bottles and cups ? Y
74: Are you hiring a catering company for cast and crew? F/NS
75: Is food chosen with consideration for its environmental impact? M Y
76: Does the production only provide vegetarian and/or vegan meals?
77: Is catering composting and recycling all food waste? Y
78: Has the catering eliminated all single use products? F
79: Has the catering eliminated disposable packaging/are they using biodegradable/compostable Y
80: Are you purchasing any food directly for the production? F
81: Are you prioritising restaurants/products with consideration of their environmental impact?
82: Are you encouraging your crew to choose vegetarian or vegan options more often?
83: Have you eliminated single use products from all food purchased?
84: Are phone or video-conferencing facilities being used in place of physical meetings? M Y
85: Have you reduced and/or eliminated travel by using stock or archive footage?
86: Has the production reduced travel by using remote direction or remote filming?
87: Is all your crew local or within 50 miles of filming location?
88: Are you paying for cast and crew travel? F/NS
89: Is the production shooting away from the main production base? F/NS
90: Has the production used local crew if shooting away from the main production base?
91: Has the production hired or acquired equipment locally to location to reduce shipping or travel costs?
92: Has the production reduced travel by sharing crew across more than one production?
93: Does the production or any of its members need to travel more than 200 miles? F/NS
94: Has the production eliminated domestic air travel? M Y
95: Has the production eliminated the use of private aircraft Y
96: Is anyone in the production travelling internationally? F/NS
97: Has the production reduced international air travel? Y
98: Has the production eliminated first and business class flights? Y
99: Are you hiring vehicles or using vehicles in the company's fleet? F/NS
100: Has the production used low emission hire cars or are the fleet vehicles low emission?
101: Are you using couriers? F/NS
102: Have you chosen a courier company that only uses low-carbon emission vehicles?
103: Are you exclusively using bicycle couriers (not motorcycles) for transport within inner-city areas?
104: Are you using taxis? F/NS
105: Have you chosen a taxi company that only uses low-carbon emitting vehicles?
106: Are you providing accommodation to any cast and/or crew? F/NS
107: Has the production chosen accommodation based on its environmental credentials Y
108: Does the accommodation use electricity from a 100% renewable energy source?
109: Will the production offset its emissions ?