Sustainable Screens Australia empowered by albert in new partnership

BAFTA albert, the leading organisation for environmental sustainability in the screen industries, and Sustainable Screens Australia (SSA), the Australia based, industry-led initiative addressing the growing need to reduce the screen industry’s environmental impact, have announced a first of its kind partnership.

The albert Toolkit, comprising a carbon calculator created by and for the screen industries and albert’s Carbon Action Plan framework will be localized for the Australian market. Under a new albert admin license, the Australian screen sector will be able to establish its own sustainability standards or certification processes using the albert tools.

Additionally, the Sustainable Screens Australia website will be ‘Empowered by albert’ with a library of case studies, resources and sustainability best practices.

In April, SSA appointed a new Executive Director, Maree Cochrane. Cochrane spent the first 10 years of her career in the screen industry, primarily working in production as an Assistant Director, and for companies such as the BBC, Endemol Shine and the London Film Festival. Most recently, Cochrane was the Strategy, Engagement and Learning Lead with the Innovation Network – a digital learning initiative of the Victorian Government.

SSA has also brought aboard two new seed funders, Screen Australia and Minderoo Pictures, and ITV Studios Australia, Nine Entertainment/Stan, Lune Media and Australia’s National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) have joined the line-up of Foundational Members.

The partnership represents a new model for how albert partners with territories around the world to use the albert toolkit, methodology and learnings in a way best adapted to each local industry. albert’s international team continues its conversation with other film and TV sectors globally to find common ground and establish the best and fastest ways for the industry to decarbonize and restore biodiversity.

Carys Taylor, Director, BAFTA albert said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting Sustainable Screens Australia in a creating a new vision for productions that puts the planet front and centre. The challenges we face are worldwide, but we can solve them if our partnerships are worldwide too.”

Anna Kaplan and Sara Horn, Co-Chairs, SSA said: “albert’s reputation for driving sustainable practices within the screen industry is unparalleled and this key partnership provides SSA with access to albert’s considerable experience and IP including a bespoke carbon calculator created for the screen industry, sustainable production training, a best practice toolkit and other resources that will be localised for the Australian market. The partnership between albert and SSA is the first of its kind to be rolled out internationally by albert.”