10 Ways to Make Your Filmmaking More Environmentally Friendly

2021 was a big year for the environment with the United Nations COP26 taking place in Glasgow in November, lots of actions and discussions about the state of our planet were raised. It has made us all think about what we can do to make our world more sustainable. One way a filmmaker can make a positive impact on the planet is by combining environmental awareness and educating others on this subject in their filmmaking, this has been termed by Climate Explorers as eco-filmmaking.

What Is Eco-Filmmaking?

When it comes to eco-filmmaking it is widely accepted that yes there will be some aspects of filmmaking that aren’t possible to make completely environmentally friendly, but there are several actions/processes that can be implemented to reduce the negative impact in filmmaking to the environment. Climate Explorers is a community interest company (CIC) on a mission to highlight climate solutions through eco-filmmaking. This indirectly has an aspect of eco shame (a predicted top trend in filmmaking for 2022), by raising environmental awareness to adopt new climate solutions the filmmakers are assessing those new climate solutions as to whether they are truly environmentally friendly or could be improved. This process is what Climate Explorers calls eco-filmmaking. 

Pedal 4 Parks Case Study Example

An example of an eco-filmmaking project was the film 14 Days South: Over Sea and Land produced by Pedal 4 Parks and filmed by Skyrise Productions in partnership with National Parks. Logistically it was a challenging film to make eco-friendly; it featured the world’s first 1100 mile cycle over sea and land from Orkney to the Isles of Scilly, alongside interviews with experts in the environmental space and visits to innovative climate solution projects across the UK. The filming process followed many principles for filming green and it was the culmination of efforts to make a bold statement which can be watched here in the documentary and film trailer. The film was recognised and shown in the blue zone of the United Nations COP26 to drive change in policy and drive funding for climate solutions.

Eco-Filmmaking Process

In the process of eco-filmmaking, choosing to use a documentary to raise awareness of ecological conservation, local community action, sustainability, climate issues and climate solutions leaves a powerful message for change. At the start of any journey into sustainable filmmaking it is key to first make several assessments of your production which are:

• Firstly calculating how much energy you would use as well as the carbon footprint for our entire film from start to finish. 
• Secondly, look at all your processes and start to look at ways to reduce your carbon debt and environmental impact by using less and keeping travel minimal if possible i.e. travelling closer to home for example Climate Explorers kept their filming locations in the UK where all personnel are based reducing travel, read more about ways to improve your processes here.
• Lastly form and establish partnerships with environmental suppliers, organisations and funders to enhance our message of being truly sustainable with all your stakeholders. Pedal 4 Parks shares brand partnerships that helped make their film happen here. You will see many are BCorp certified, an aim that any production team should aspire to be in order to live up to sustainable and ethical filmmaking.

10 ways to make your filmmaking more environmentally friendly:

1. Making a commitment to reducing, reusing and recycling as part of our waste management programme. Examples are reusable water containers.
2. Creating a transport plan which aims to reduce travel (car-sharing/pooling) and use vehicles with less environmental impact i.e. EV, hybrid
3. Creating an energy plan that cuts the use of fossil fuels and uses more renewable energy and taking actions like powering your website with renewable energy.
4. Cut down on materials and supplies to reduce consumption, use digital wherever possible. Digital talent release forms for instance and online signatures.
5. Minimise impact on people, wildlife and habitats by leaving no trace and sticking to marked paths.
6. Eco-friendly products swap outs (sunglasses, toothbrushes, clothes, toilet paper), eco cutlery, bowls, cups. Recyclable clothing. Friendly soap, plastic-free toothpaste, refillable water bottles
7. Choose a bank with high ethical standards.
8. Calculate your total CO2 emissions after all possible reductions and carbon offset this by restoring nature locally or by planting trees to improve your environmental footprint
9. Buy local food produce during your filmmaking where possible to reduce the environmental impact of the supply chain of food and support local communities in areas you are filming in
10. Stay in eco-friendly accommodation like eco-lodges or accommodation powered by renewable energy, local homestays for instance.

Above are some examples of what a filmmaker can do to make their filmmaking more sustainable and good for the planet. If you would like to know other ways to improve your environmental impact you can listen to experts discuss how you can use existing technologies and alternative production methods to accelerate shifts towards sustainable and environment-conscious filmmaking and check out these blogs from Raindance below:

• The Environmentally Conscious Mind of Filmmaking
• The Importance of Filming Green and How to Do It
• Best Films That Promote Green Living and Sustainability

Climate Explorers also provide workshops and advice on this subject to productions looking to become more eco-friendly. If of interest please get in touch with them at hello@climateexplorers.co.uk.