Making the film industry sustainable is going to require everyone to take on responsibility for the future. 

Who is the sustainability person on your set? Surprise! It’s you! 

Sustainability is everyone’s responsibility on a production, just as it is in personal lives. But how sustainability is managed on set is still evolving. 

Most studios and broadcasters now have dedicated sustainability heads. These titles vary—sustainability officer, vice president of sustainability, or group director of bigger picture and sustainability. These people ensure productions meet sustainability goals, but they also field criticisms aimed at the company. It requires understanding both science and politics. 

On-set sustainability coordinators—this is becoming the accepted title—are increasingly common, especially on big productions or those with an involved VP of sustainability overseeing the work from the C-suite. 

Making your green mark

Often, sustainability coordinators are production assistants, and their responsibilities vary depending on the knowledge of those they report to. They might manage recycling, call for electric vehicle hires, or be left alone to figure things out—a challenge but also an opportunity. 

Since sustainability roles are still a bit of a wild west, there’s plenty of opportunity for anyone who wants to take on the role. Several well-known sustainability coordinators were runners or production assistants only a few years ago. Tackling day-to-day sustainability needs is a niche many are happy to let someone fill. 

Even with a dedicated sustainability team, responsibilities often fall to the line producer or production manager. These people are also responsible for collecting and entering data for BAFTA albert certification. Many UK production managers have been up at 3am, trying to remember how many boat trips occurred during the last week of shooting or whether vegan meals started on day one or three. 

Filling out albert toolkit data is tedious but usually required to get paid by a UK company. It’s also a reason the UK is leading the world in sustainable production techniques. Nobody is excelling globally, but of those who aren’t, the UK is still paving the way. 

Do your homework

Training is essential, and there are many ways to get up to speed on sustainability in your speciality. BAFTA albert has launched the albert Academy, a portal for sustainability training that offers e-learning modules, online workshops, and bespoke training. The courses are created by albert itself, along with partners ScreenSkills and BFI Sustainable Screen. 

The Academy allows you to select training relevant to your speciality, covering a wide range of topics, including sports and news production, documentary, scripted and unscripted TV, hair and makeup, and stop-motion animation. Modules on storytelling and incorporating climate elements into content are available for commissioners and writers. 

Carbon literacy certification is available through several sources, including albert and industry consultancies like Climate EQ. Certification is likely to become an increasingly valuable addition to your CV as sustainability becomes more embedded in everything we do. 

Collaborate for a greener future 

Sustainability belongs to everyone. Sharing expertise is one of the best ways we can make progress. Professional networks are springing up as production professionals look at sustainability through their own experience. For example, UK actors’ union Equity has formed Equity for a Green New Deal, which unites actors in fighting for climate justice and promoting sustainable practices on productions. Cinematographers have launched Cut It in response to the slow pace of sustainability change in the industry. 

Don’t wait for sustainability experts. Become one yourself and start being the change you want to see in the industry. 

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Words: Neal Romanek, The Flint