Here in BC we’d love to position ourselves as the greenest place to shoot, but while we definitely have our champions, we don’t yet have government regulations in place to enforce better practices across the industry. Cut to Germany: where government guidelines set strict ecological standards that must be met by any production (foreign or domestic) shooting or doing post there. You might be surprised at how comprehensive the requirements are!

The mandatory German framework for film and television production is broken into five general sections. Section 1 requires a general statement of commitment, the hiring of a Green Consultant (either on staff or external), and verifiable carbon footprint calculating from pre-production onwards.

Section 2 is about energy use, mandating clean energy from the grid at offices, studios, and on location. Generators are to be used only when there are no alternative options, and should be either hybrid or green tech models, or run on renewable fuel. They must be equipped with particle filters to meet strict emission standards. Use of diesel generators for more than 3 days has to receive a special exemption! As of 2024, high energy efficiency lights like LEDs are now mandatory for interior filming and halogen lights can only be used if required for exterior filming, and only for lights stronger than 2K.

Section 3 covers transport and encourages the hiring of local crews, nearby locations, car-pooling, better logistical planning and smaller vehicles to reduce over-all emissions. Interestingly, flights for cast or crew are not permitted if they can be replaced by a train trip of under 5 hours (this is Europe!) and private planes especially are banned unless required on camera. One in three cars, vans or big trucks in a production’s fleet must be low-emission vehicles (EVs, hybrids, or bio-CNG-powered). There are even limits to how much non-green energy is used in the charging of electric vehicles.

Accommodation and catering makes up the fourth section, mandating at least 50% of lodgings in homes and apartments over hotels. Any hotels should have verified environmental policies and be within 15km of work locations when possible. Catering must avoid all disposable ware and limit its use of animal products, with exclusively vegetarian offerings at least once per week. Even the sourcing of local and sustainably-grown food is measured: at least 50% must come from within 150km and 33% must be organic!

Finally, the last section discusses materials: their origin, recyclability and non-toxicity. This covers in detail the reuse of costumes, multiple use of set and construction materials, using rechargeable batteries, certified lumber, recycled paper content, waste diversion and avoiding the use of unhealthy fire retardants and solvents. To read the full German Ecological Standards for Cinema and TV document, click here.

This is the holy grail of sustainable filmmaking. Until regulations in North America force us to take concrete action, we can look to Germany as an example of what is not just possible but necessary to do our part as an industry. Our time is now – we can still change our ways before the rules change them for us.

For more ideas on ways to effect change, check out DGC National’s DGC Green site as well as Creative BC’s Reel Green website for new industry initiatives, green vendors, events and courses you can take. 

Tell me what your show is doing to be more sustainable! Do you have a green tip or success story you'd like us to share in a future Ebulletin? Send me an email at awilczur@dgcbc.com.

Annabelle Wilczur
Assistant Business Agent