SUSTAINABILITY PROFILES
THE GRID PROJECT A t this point, renewable energy’s role in achieving net zero should be undeniable. Six years ago, Film London discovered that – during a shoot in Flanders, Belgium – a TV production “plugged into lamp posts to avoid using diesel generators,” says Michelle Jenkins, head of production services. “This provided the inspiration for the Grid Project to install bespoke electrical feeder pillars into frequently used unit base sites in London, supplying energy from renewable sources, deleting the need for diesel generators and thus reducing all emissions on-site to zero.” Funded by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund and supported via the London Economic Action Partnership, NBCUniversal, Interreg Europe Green Screen and the British Film Commission, the Grid Project is Film London’s first foray into local infrastructure. After a lengthy period of “investigating appropriate sites, setting up an Industry Advisory Group, understanding power requirements and assessing installation costs, Victoria Park was chosen as the key pilot site,” describes Jenkins. “Detailed analysis completed by Arup for Victoria Park estimated that, during 2018, production generators consumed 64,082 litres of diesel and 1656 litres of petrol,” he adds. “The estimated CO2 emitted by the generators was 169,556kg; estimated annual particulate matter was 7.43kg; and estimated annual nitrous oxide from diesel and petrol was 2393kg.” Film London officially announced the Grid Project in summer 2023. Powered by energy provider Ecotricity, the project saved approximately 62,385 litres of diesel and petrol, 161 tonnes of CO2 and two tonnes of NOx between November 2022 and February 2024. “This is just the beginning!” enthuses Jenkins. “We are excited to report that many of our partners have already been inspired by the Project – enough to start installing their own feeder pillars. We’ll continue to promote and help others do the same in the UK and beyond.”
These findings motivated albert to offer five areas of opportunity: production materials, energy and water use, studio buildings and facilities, studio sites and locations and production planning. Three years later, in 2023, albert announced the Studio Sustainability Standard, ‘the world’s first sustainability assessment designed specifically for studio spaces’, according to albert’s web article. The Standard invites studios ALBERT OFFERS free training, education and advice TO CREATIVES FOCUSED ON the environment ”
GO ECO LIKE A PRO Film London’s Grid Project is ensuring renewable energy sources are implemented across more productions
to take part and identify areas for improvement across six themes: climate, circularity, nature, people, management and data. Studios receive a personalised performance report and overall grade, allowing them to compare their work with other studios and develop year after year. In 2023/2024, 29 companies partook, including Sony Pictures, Sky Studios Elstree and 3 Mills Studios. Albert’s website also offers tonnes of free training, educational articles and practical advice to environmentally focused creative – including a section on climate storytelling. With case studies spanning factual entertainment (The Great Celebrity Bake Off ), feature films ( The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind ), sitcoms ( Community ) and scripted dramas ( Doctor Who ), albert not only provides productions with imitable examples, but also clear, actionable goals to ensure a sustainable future.
Learn more at wearealbert.org
Learn more at filmlondon.org.uk
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