Lights, Camera, Climate: The Hidden Environmental Cost of Movies and TV Productions

When we think of blockbuster movies like Mission Impossible, we often hear about their enormous financial budgets. But what if we also heard about their carbon budgets? As a huge movie enthusiast, I often wonder: what is the environmental impact of the films I watch on platforms like Prime Video or Netflix? Like any product, a movie has a carbon footprint, and today, we will explore the environmental costs of film production, the industry’s steps toward sustainability, and how technology is helping reduce emissions.

With growing awareness of climate change, it is time for the media and entertainment industry to take responsibility for its environmental impact. 

Leonardo DiCaprio in his Oscar Speech of 2016 said “Climate change is real. It is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species." 

In this article, we will look at how much carbon our favourite films produce, what steps are being taken to reduce these emissions, and how innovative technologies like virtual production offer a path toward a greener future.

The Hidden Carbon Footprint of Film Production

Most of us do not consider the environmental impact of making a movie. However, a typical large-scale film, or "tentpole" production, leaves a significant carbon footprint. A "tentpole production" is a big movie or TV show that a company expects will make lots of money and support other smaller projects, like a strong tent holding everything up, like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, for Amazon Studios. Data from a recent report [Source] showed that the average carbon footprint for these tentpole films is approximately 3,370 metric tons of CO₂—that's roughly 33 metric tons per day of shooting. To put it in perspective, that is equivalent to the emissions from driving a car around the Earth over 300 times.

Diving Into the Carbon Footprint: Travel, Fuel, and Utilities

For tentpole productions, a substantial portion of the carbon footprint—48%—comes from fuel consumption. This includes diesel for generators, transportation vehicles, and other on-set equipment. Air travel, essential for transporting cast, crew, and equipment across locations, is another major contributor. It accounts for about 24% of emissions, especially for films shot in multiple countries or regions.

Utilities like electricity, air conditioning, and other energy-intensive operations on set also play a significant role, contributing 22% to the total emissions of tentpole films. On the other hand, accommodations—such as hotels for cast and crew—make up only 6% of the carbon footprint.

Source : Carbon Report from Sustainable Production Alliance

For a feature film production, air travel and utilities are typically the largest contributors, accounting for relatively equal portions of the total emissions.

These numbers might surprise many film enthusiasts. The environmental toll of creating a film is significant, but the industry is starting to respond with meaningful efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Sustainability Efforts in the Entertainment Industry

In response to growing concerns about the environmental impact of filmmaking, several organizations and studios have joined forces to form the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance. The mission of this organization is to provide film, television, and streaming production professionals with the guidance they need to integrate environmental considerations into their day-to-day business decisions.

One of their most impactful initiatives is the Green Production Guide, which offers practical tools and strategies for reducing emissions on set. From using energy-efficient lighting to recycling costumes and set materials, the guide is helping filmmakers across the world embrace sustainability. It also emphasises the importance of measuring carbon emissions, giving productions the ability to track and improve their environmental impact over time.

How the Green Production Guide is Making a Difference

The Green Production Guide helps production teams take actionable steps to minimise their carbon footprint. Some of these steps include:

• Switching to LED Lighting: LED lights use far less energy than traditional lighting, leading to significant energy savings.

• Reducing Single-Use Plastics: By encouraging reusable bottles and containers on set, productions can cut down on waste.

• Recycling and Reusing Materials: Costumes, props, and set pieces can often be reused or repurposed, reducing the demand for new resources.

Several major studios, such as Warner Bros., are leading the charge by investing in renewable energy and carbon offsets to counterbalance emissions from their productions. These studios are setting a new standard for eco-friendly filmmaking, proving that sustainability and high-quality content can go hand-in-hand.

The Rise of Virtual Production: A Technological Solution

One of the most exciting advancements in sustainable filmmaking is virtual production. This innovative technology enables filmmakers to create immersive, lifelike environments digitally, reducing the need for physical sets, which are often resource-intensive to build and maintain.

What is Virtual Production?

Virtual production blends real-time computer graphics and visual effects with live-action footage, allowing for dynamic and flexible film production in a digital space. By using techniques such as LED walls and motion capture, filmmakers can simulate complex environments and reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional production methods.

Sustainability Advantages of Virtual Production

Virtual production can drastically lower the carbon footprint of a film by reducing or eliminating the need for physical travel and large-scale set construction. Here is how it helps:

• Reduced Set Construction: Virtual sets allow filmmakers to create expansive, realistic worlds without having to build physical sets, which are often resource-heavy and wasteful. This reduces the materials needed for construction, as well as the emissions from transporting them.

• Energy Efficiency: Virtual productions often use LED volumes instead of traditional lighting setups, which consume less energy and have a smaller carbon footprint.

• Reduced Air Travel: By simulating different locations digitally, virtual production reduces the need for the cast and crew to travel across locations, significantly cutting down on air travel emissions, which are one of the largest contributors to a production’s carbon footprint.

Studios like Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios are embracing this technology, using virtual production to create stunning visual effects while drastically cutting down on the environmental costs associated with traditional film production methods.

A Greener Future for Media and Entertainment

The entertainment industry is beginning to recognize its role in addressing climate change. Thanks to innovations like virtual production and sustainability initiatives such as the Green Production Guide, the path to a more eco-friendly future is becoming clearer. These efforts are critical as the industry seeks to reduce its environmental impact while continuing to deliver high-quality entertainment.

However, there is still a long way to go. While virtual production offers exciting possibilities, it is not a cure-all. The industry must continue to invest in sustainable practices at every level, from pre-production through post-production, and be transparent about its environmental impact. As consumers, we can also play a role by supporting eco-conscious content and pushing for more transparency around the carbon footprint of the media we consume.

Imagine a world where films come with a “carbon budget” alongside their financial budget. As awareness of environmental issues grows, this may become the new standard, helping drive meaningful change in the industry.

“As consumers, we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy." - Emma Watson

In the end, We must recognize that sustainability and creativity are not mutually exclusive. By embracing technology, innovation, and responsible practices, the entertainment industry can tell amazing stories while also protecting the planet. Let us work together to ensure that our love for movies and TV does not come at the cost of the environment. 

“Sustainability in film is not only about what we can do on set, but the stories we tell.” - Cate Blanchett