PARIS, DECEMBER 11, 2015 - Film4Climate, an initiative of Connect4Climate, the climate change communications program supported by the Italian Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea, the German Federal Ministry for Development and the World Bank Group in collaboration with more than 300 global partners, announced at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 21) this week the Film4Climate International Charter establishing universal guidelines for greening film production.
The announcement was part of the Climate Change Communication flagship event on December 9 organized by the UNFCCC, UNEP, the World Bank Group’s Connect4Climate program, Good, Earth Day Network, Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, Rovio and others. During the event it was emphasized that the visual communications industry has a strong record of advocating for social change and effectively portraying such trends to mass audiences. The industry now has the possibility to set an example once again by both adapting production methods and reviewing approaches to content.
The Charter has been in the making for a number of months and the emerging document is the result of lengthy discussions among film executives, film makers and film administrators at workshops and presentations around the world including sessions at the Guadalajara, Palm Springs, Berlin, Chicago, IDFA, Valladolid, Ventana Sur and Venice Film Festivals over the past two years, culminating in an international conference on November 25th in Paris organized by EcoProd, the environmental arm of the Ile de France Film Commission; CESAR, the Social, Economic and Environmental Council for the Ile de France and Connect4Climate.
At that meeting film industry representatives from North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa put the finishing touches to a draft document. The Charter aims to set out codes of awareness and practical conditions that film producers can consider when planning and undertaking productions.
“The document responds to a general feeling among the participants that it is something the industry can and should do universally to answer the challenges of climate change, while at the same time recognizing the importance of flexibility when t comes to specifics, specifics especially with regards to the vast differences in scale of production and regional or local customs and requirements” noted Donald Ranvaud, creative producer of Connect4Climate.
The aim is for the Charter to form the base for action in conjunction with COP 21 decisions where working groups will determine the details of how best to implement widespread ‘green’ production guidelines internationally, and also propagate further integration of sustainable lifestyle decisions into content and storylines.
The text is as follows:
FILM4CLIMATE INTERNATIONAL CHARTER
Presented in Paris COP21, December 9, 2015
This Charter commits to eliminate the environmental and community negative impacts of visual media productions, and to strongly advocate for the adoption of industry-wide incentives that will encourage sustainable practices including, but not limited to the conservation of natural resources, the reduction of carbon emissions, the recycling of sets and location waste, and the promotion of environmental literacy. Partners will include Filmmakers, Film Commissions, National Institutes, Film and Television Schools, Production and Distribution Companies, Exhibitors, Union and Trade Organizations.
- Partners will follow these environmental actions available to the visual media in all stages of production, from development through exhibition. Partners accept the challenge:
- To demonstrate respect for the earth by limiting land modification and habitat degradation, avoiding contamination, and guarding against the introduction of invasive species;
- To utilize environmental experts to assist production whenever possible, and to train
- Eco Supervisors and department heads to facilitate comprehensive sustainability measures;
- To respect scientific knowledge and information in both production and storytelling content, and to incorporate climate messaging and education whenever possible;
- To use “Best Practice” guidelines to guide achievable goals during production as outlined by industry leaders, including EcoProd, PGA Green, Albert and Edison Green. These include policies for responsible purchasing that promotes “fair trade” and “green” products;
- To explore new technologies and innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of productions including LED lighting, cameras with advanced sensors for low lighting, rechargeable batteries, alternative fuels, solar and other sources of renewable energy;
- To use practical software or carbon calculators to analyze, calculate and reduce the carbon footprints of film productions;
- To create and make available Sustainability Reports for each production to be shared with cast, crew and financiers, and to promote education and public awareness of eco efforts;
- To employ carbon offsets, or compensate and make positive environmental contributions to communities negatively impacted by production.
NOTE: Film4Climate, an initiative of the World Bank Group, will act as convener to all parties to ensure maximum dialogue takes place and to assist in the understanding and implementation of the above actions. It encourages all Filmmakers, Film Commissions, National Institutes, Film and Television Schools, Production and Distribution Companies, Exhibitors, Union and Trade organizations to register and participate.
Film4Climate is a global initiative of Connect4Climate and its partners, committed to developing a concrete plan to mitigate the environmental impact of film production as well as raising awareness and encouraging action on climate change through all visual communications.
Connect4Climate is a global partnership program launched by the World Bank Group and the Italian Ministry of Environment to communicate climate change, promote solutions and empower people to act.
