Sustainability initiatives can really gather momentum when a production’s leadership is fully on board.

In February 2024 a new collective of inspired leaders was formed in BC: Producing For The Planet (P4P), a non-profit coalition of producers across Canada committed to taking action on the climate crisis both on-screen and on set. Spearheaded by Thunderbird Entertainment’s Marsha Newberry, it launched with over 20 producers and production company members. By July they had grown to 78 signatories and counting. 

Their website is a goldmine of resources, from a comprehensive Action Guide for Canadian Producers, a Best Practices Checklist, and a Knowledge Hub section with Sustainability templates, articles, case studies, industry links and storytelling resources. A phrase in their Action Guide stood out for me as key: “Help shift the culture by challenging unsustainable norms.” We all see these norms on set – single-use bottles, single-occupant vehicles, single-use props, sets, costumes and wasteful energy and resource consumption of all kinds. 

Did you know that the average Canadian’s carbon emissions are about 15 metric tons of CO2 per year? That’s very high when you compare us to the rest of the world – yet a single 1hr Canadian-funded TV drama is responsible for an average of 28 metric tons of carbon emissions per episode – nearly double that of one person’s yearly output! A big feature can rack up over 1000 tons of CO2 emissions. 

It doesn’t have to be that way. There are many strategies available for reducing waste and energy consumption, and often they result in cost savings as well. Have a look at P4P’s Best Practices Checklist for a dose of inspiration. Reducing our emissions and dependence on fossil fuels is within our ability, and is more important than ever to slow climate change.

Commit to being more sustainable now and watch that momentum build. The heat is on!

Annabelle Wilczur
Assistant Business Agent and Sustainability Lead