Film London launches The Fuel Project to lower emissions in film and TV industry

The report outlines steps to support production suppliers in an ongoing effort to move toward low-carbon solutions

By Priyanca Rajput 1 Nov 2022

Film London launches The Fuel Project to lower emissions in film and TV industry — Credit: Film London

Film London has launched The Fuel Project, a report funded by Interreg Europe’s Green Screen, in partnership with sustainable business consultants Creative Zero.

The report outlines steps to support film and TV production suppliers in an ongoing effort to move toward low-carbon technologies, helping reduce emissions in the industry overall.

The industry’s current contribution to greenhouse gases and air pollution is dominated by fuel consumption: 50% of a production’s carbon footprint comes from fuel use across land transport and mobile power services.

The report provides production supply companies in London and Europe with solutions and proposes technologies that will reduce the industry’s collective emissions. In particular, it aims to support SME companies who may not not have access to corporate sustainability advice and resources.

The Fuel Project proposes practical solutions to reduce the level of air pollutants and carbon emitted by vehicle transport in production. It also advises on the use of low carbon power generators on-set, given that only around 12.5% of those currently used on film and TV productions in London comply with the highest emissions standard (Stage V).

The report also aims to debunk some current assumptions on a number of key, low carbon, fuel options available in the UK market, by acknowledging the challenges faced in this transition. For example, power from battery, hydrogen and Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) sources, can significantly reduce emissions from production supplier transport fleets and generators; yet, challenges remain.

These fuel solutions can play a pivotal part in helping the industry meet its environmental commitments and net zero targets. However, concerns around cost, supply and real world environmental impact can create confusion around these solutions. The report sets out to address the concerns currently prohibiting action.

Daniela Kirchner, chief operating officer of Film London and the British Film Commission, and lead partner of Green Screen said: The global growth in film and TV production, while exciting, will have significant impacts on our climate unless meaningful action is taken to reduce emissions. As 50% of a production’s carbon footprint comes from fuel use in transport and power services, we felt this was where the greatest impact could be made. So we are delighted to be publishing the Fuel Project report, to give suppliers of every size in the production supply chain the resources, information and timings needed to help our sector’s transition to low carbon fuel and contribution to tackling the climate crisis.

“I would like to thank Interreg Europe for funding this Green Screen initiative, and Creative Zero for collaborating with us to produce this report. I hope production suppliers can benefit from the report and that industry leaders and partners alike can continue to collaborate to address environmental challenges.“