Albert’s Biodiversity Working Group have released a guide for productions, defining what biodiversity encompasses, as well as outlining its relationship with the film and TV industry.
This comes at a crucial moment, given that “biodiversity is declining faster now than at any point in human history” (Albert, Biodiversity & the screen industries). Biodiversity and climate change are interconnected. Supporting healthy biodiversity can help combat climate change, and in turn, fighting climate change will contribute to a healthier biodiversity.
The film and TV industry, like many other industries, can have both positive and negative impacts on biodiversity and climate change.
Both our Co-founders Jimmy Keeping and Amelia Price are part of Albert’s Biodiversity Working Group, as we feel its such an integral part of sustainability in our industry.
We’re delighted to be part of the Albert Biodiversity Working Group and the launch of today’s toolkit is just the start of the resources we will hopefully be able to provide crew with, in order that they can work more responsibly when filming at sensitive locations.” Amelia Price, Co-Founder Sustainable Film
“It is reassuring to see a growing awareness within the film and TV industry about the need to minimise its impact on the environment. Adopting sustainable production practices will help reduce our impact whilst promoting biodiversity conservation and climate action at the same time” says Jimmy Keeping, Director, Sustainable Film
The Bio Diversity Working Group he group also hosted a Biodiversity Roundtable at BAFTA’s HQ this week (2nd October). By bringing key players such as large landowners and government agencies together with the working group, the challenges to location filming are starting to be addressed, so that we can provide more resources and support to productions in the future.
Biodiversity refers to all living things on Earth, from animals, plants, and insects to microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form. It is crucial for human survival, providing us with air, food, water, health, medicines, materials, and a healthy economy.
We’ve highlighted some key points when examining the relationship between the industry and biodiversity –
Negative Impacts:
- Carbon Footprint: Productions can produce significant carbon footprints, with an average day of filming equating to more than one person’s annual carbon footprint (Albert, A screen new deal).
- Resource Consumption and Waste: Production activities require natural resources like water and energy, as well as a variety of items and materials. This consumption can contribute to resource depletion, alongside generating significant amounts of waste.
- Location Impact: Filming on location can disrupt ecosystems and habitats, leading to potential harm to local biodiversity.
- Promotion of Unsustainable Practices: Sometimes, films or TV shows may inadvertently or deliberately promote unsustainable behaviors or industries that harm biodiversity (e.g., through product placements).
Positive Impacts:
- Awareness and Education: Films and TV programs can raise awareness about biodiversity and climate change issues, educating audiences and inspiring action to protect the environment.
- Conservation Messaging: Productions can incorporate conservation themes, promoting the importance of biodiversity and efforts to combat climate change.
- Give Back to Communities: Positive work can be done in communities local to the production; for example by engaging on-site resources and local experts to improve the biodiversity of a habitat on location, or by utilising recycling and salvaging schemes to repurpose waste materials.
