Industry groups back Sustainable Screens Australia initiative

Sustainable Screens Australia, a new initiative addressing the need to reduce the screen industry’s environmental impact, has announced 16 leading industry organisations have come on board as seed funders and Foundational Members.

They are ABC, SBS, Netflix, and Paramount ANZ, screen agencies Screen NSW, VicScreen, Screen Queensland and Screen Tasmania, production companies BBC Studios, CJZ, Dreamchaser, Film Art Media, Matchbox Pictures and Regen Studios, the Docklands Studios and Shark Island Foundation.

Anna Kaplan & Sara Horn, Co-Chairs, Sustainable Screens Australia, said: “We are thrilled to be launching this vital initiative with the backing of such an influential cohort of foundational members. It’s immensely encouraging to see the screen industry putting sustainability and carbon reduction squarely on the agenda. We look forward to supporting the industry to reduce our collective environmental impact and respond to climate change with the urgency it demands.”

Pamela Longstaff, Head of Sustainability, ABC, said: “The ABC is proud to partner with Sustainable Screens Australia as part of our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our content. We look forward to working with SSA and our production partners to improve sustainable production practices across our content and in the Australian screen industry.”

Kathryn Fink, Director of Television, SBS, said: “SBS is pleased to be joining the Sustainable Screens Australia industry initiative. Having recently completed our first assessment of our carbon footprint we look forward to working with our partners in the industry on ways we can all reduce our emissions and be more sustainable.”

Toni Skaife, General Manager 10 Melbourne & General Manager Content Business Affair, said: “We’re proud to be the first Australian commercial broadcaster to be seed investors in Sustainable Screen Australia and will implement their tools into our own productions and encourage our commissioned content creators to also adopt best practice models. Our determination to reduce our carbon footprint is focused on protecting our planet and industry so we can ensure the productions of tomorrow.”

Kylie Washington, General Manager & Creative Director, Production, BBC Studios ANZ, said: “Sustainability is an issue close to BBC Studios heart. Globally we are committed to acting sustainably and reducing our carbon emissions and these aims are embedded in all our productions here. We’re delighted to be able to support this local initiative that will be a valuable resource for programme makers and enable real behavioural change.”

Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW, said: “Screen NSW is thrilled to support Sustainable Screens Australia (SSA) this initiative will reduce the environmental impact of the screen industry in NSW and bring us in line with international best practice. This is an exciting and timely initiative that will be industry-led and build capacity to measure and reduce carbon and ecological footprints.”

Moneypenny (accountancy), Shiff & Company (legal) and NIXCO (public relations) are also offering pro-bono services.

SSA was founded on a vision to change the climate of screen production in Australia through collaboration, education, tools and resources, with the goal of transforming the industry into one which integrates sustainability into everyday practices. As Australia commits to a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, the screen industry is expected to reduce its environmental impact along with all other industries.

The local screen production industry contributes over $5.34b in value-add to the economy and over 31,000 full-time equivalent jobs, but SSA believes creating screen content should not be at the expense of the planet. With the Australian screen industry contributing a large ecological footprint, primarily through electricity and fuel consumption that lead to greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change, SSA is committed to addressing this by:

• creating an online hub for best practice checklists and toolkits,
• industry specific carbon literacy training,
• a vendor/services database,
• bespoke carbon footprint calculator, and
• social impact partnerships to support our local screen industry in establishing a standardised approach to sustainable production.

Ultimately, SSA’s goal is to create a behavioural shift across the industry towards more environmentally responsible practices that align with science-based targets.

Thanks to the support of the seed funders, SSA has raised funds that will enable the organisation to launch to the wider industry as a member-based organisation in early 2023. This member-based funding structure will support SSA’s initiatives into the future.