That’s a Wrap on Emissions: How Hollywood is Reducing Its Carbon Footprint

When you think of sustainable business, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Whether it be governance, equity, or waste management, countless organizations have taken the planet's call to oversee their carbon footprint more seriously. As noted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gases (GHG) are essentially those that trap heat emitted from our planet's sun within the Earth's atmosphere. Although greenhouses include both methane (CH4) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (C2O) remains the most abundant. Each organization needs energy to power its operations, and the entertainment industry is no different. However, as the effects of global warming continue to plague society year after year, a movement promoting the mitigation of carbon emissions is being felt across many industries. Being the hub for the "original influencers," the entertainment industry is uniquely positioned to demonstrate these global effects to the largest audiences and lead by example within its operations.  

This month we wish to recognize studios across the industry for their efforts to achieve carbon neutrality through the continuing reduction of carbon emissions. Stay tuned as we highlight the entertainment industry's sustainability efforts and progress achieved with a particular topic each month!

Tracking Emissions on Set

Regarding an enterprise's operations, emissions have historically been an unfortunate consequence. However, as many businesses heed the call to become net zero, essentially reducing absolute emissions across their whole supply chain, professionals from all departments are called to evaluate their contributions. A recent report by the Sustainable Production Alliance divides sources of emissions across operations into housing, utilities, air travel, and fuel. Within each category lies many activities during a production's lifecycle. To date, most of a production's emissions emerge from transportation, mainly from vehicles and air travel, which makes up 48%-56% of emissions for films and 58% for scripted TV dramas. Task forces such as the Sustainable Production Alliance (SPA) effectively gather public commitments from their member studios such as Amazon Studios, Amblin Partners, Disney, Fox Corporation, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Participant, Sony Pictures Entertainment, ViacomCBS, and WarnerMedia.

Other parts of the world have followed the example set forth by the SPA, including the Canadian Academy's Reel Green Initiative at Creative BC and the Albert 2021 Annual Review in the UK. These initiatives continue to develop over time and have become more comprehensive, incorporating neutral carbon certifications, education, company training, and even community events with industry leaders.   

Regarding production in Hollywood, the Production Environmental Accounting Report (PEAR), created in partnership by SPA and the Producers Guild of America Foundation's PGA Green initiative, is an effective tool that follows the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. It includes direct emissions, such as fuel emissions, and indirect emissions from purchased electricity, air travel, and accommodations. As sustainability is essential in the production process, budgeting an average of $70 million and creating a carbon footprint of 3,370 metric tons, major studios see the enormous opportunity it presents for their triple bottom line (TBL). 

Carbon Reduction Achievements

For over a decade, studios have emphasized operating sustainably. Further, with public consensus on carbon's damaging role in climate change, many are working hard towards carbon neutrality and even climate positivity. To achieve this goal, stakeholders within the entertainment industry have created dedicated positions, departments, and even progress reports addressing climate change as a valid threat to business. The result? Greater awareness of how to effectively reduce carbon emissions. 

Sony Pictures Entertainment continues to show innovation by releasing a first-of-its-kind report, the Studio Sustainability Progress Report. Notable achievements highlighted in this report include achieving 50% renewable electricity, 100% of the electricity consumed by stage operations offset by solar generation on-site and reaching 130 EV car charging capacity. As a multinational conglomerate, Sony has the potential to create a positive impact on a tremendous scale. To date (since the fiscal year 2016), 456,000 tons of CO2 emissions have been reduced. Additionally, Sony joined RE100, a global initiative whose members commit to sourcing 100% renewable electricity for worldwide operations. 

NBCUniversal has also made strides in reducing its carbon footprint. Two critically acclaimed productions, Downton Abbey and Jurassic World have implemented sustainable practices in their most recent installments. For example, they filmed Downton Abbey: A New Era at Ealing Studios, which has switched to 100% renewable energy. These combined measures earned the film a Gold Seal from EMA to recognize its commitment level. As recently as 2021, NBCUniversal reports that emissions from global operations were down by 19%, showing a continual decline of carbon intensity from 2019 levels (12%). In addition, by utilizing such reporting frameworks as the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, consistent with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and Task Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the studio allows for greater transparency and data tracking. 

Another major studio, Paramount, has enthusiastically stepped up its efforts, so much so that the Los Angeles Better Buildings Challenge recently gave them the "Industry Leader, Entertainment Category" award at its 8th Annual Innovation Awards. Reaching this recognition required an analysis across the value chain, where the studio successfully cut its emissions by 50% in the past decade (132,000 tons). Innovations like these also contributed to achieving its most significant number of Green and Gold seals from EMA (up to 80% of productions). In addition, working with the Department of Energy has allowed Paramount to successfully take a GHG inventory across productions and implement technical knowledge for positive impact. 

All these achievements across the industry mark a pivotal step in the direction entertainment is and will continue to take. With the rise of such technologies as virtual and augmented reality and media consumption via streaming apps, carbon emissions are being accounted for more heavily across a whole product's life cycle. We are proud to work with our entertainment industry partners at Amazon Studios, Fox, NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Warner Bros. Discovery as they lead the way to more sustainable productions.

Carbon Reduction Starts with a Plan

Going off the seriousness of the climate crisis agreed on by so many at the COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, last fall, businesses across the world are racing to find ways to hold global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as this level could limit the most dangerous and irreversible effects of climate change. Fortunately, the entertainment field is no exception and is even looking at ways to continue carbon reduction in the coming years. And as with most goals, you must start with a plan. 

Sony Pictures plans to improve its environmental programs continually, claiming to reach A zero ecological footprint by 2050. NBCUniversal has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 in scopes 1 and 2 across their entire operations. Paramount Engineering, Planning, and Development teams have plans to reduce emissions by another 50% within the next ten years. Other production studios, such as Netflix, strive to be net-zero by the end of 2022. 

Everyone has a stake in what becomes of our planet. If we are to do our part in keeping warming below a point of more significant concern, then we can enjoy the best of our natural playground and leave it intact for generations to come. With the emergence of initiatives, reporting frameworks, technologies, and methods such as a grid tie-in that pulls energy from a shared grid instead of using diesel fuel, there is much room for optimism.

We are proud to contribute to this movement with our EMA Green Seal programs, EMA Awards, and more. We are united in our efforts to reduce emissions and showcase how society can lower its carbon footprint. If the entertainment industry can make the world laugh, sing, cry, and love, it can make it sustainable. 

Written by Demitri Fierro, ISSP-SEA (MBA Candidate in Sustainable Management)