As a B Corp video production agency, we believe in using video as a force for good – minimising our environmental footprint while doing so. We calculate our carbon footprint for big projects such as TV ads and offset it. Implementing sustainability practices throughout the whole production process is a worthwhile way for companies to help make a difference. Let’s take a look at what carbon footprint is and how you can measure it.
What is a carbon footprint?
Almost everything we do generates greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) and adds to our carbon footprint. In the UK on average a person’s carbon footprint is about 10 tonnes of Co2 per year.
You can’t reduce your carbon footprint overnight! But you can start making a big difference by taking small actions, like eating less meat, buying less stuff and line drying your clothes.
What is AdGreen?
AdGreen offers free resources, training and carbon calculation tools to enable the advertising production community to measure and reduce their carbon footprint. It’s funded by a small voluntary levy on production spend paid by pioneering advertisers who are leading the charge on reducing their impact on the environment.
How to calculate your carbon footprint
To assess the environmental impact of our production activities, we use AdGreen’s Carbon Calculator. This tool calculates the carbon footprint of video, stills, and audio projects in advertising campaigns. Advertising production companies can access the tool for free, thanks to contributions from participating advertisers to the AdGreen levy.
Our commitment to reducing carbon emissions
Skylark uses Adgreen to calculate the impact of our shoots. The online calculator is used by video production companies to track each stage of the production individually and understand which areas are causing the highest level of Co2. This enables agencies to track down the exact cause of high emissions – and do something about it.
As part of Adgreen, agencies can undergo sustainable production training. This covers important topics, from climate science to carbon budgets. Courses are available for those working in advertising production around the world. From creatives to the crew – and everyone in between. You can find out more at: https://weareadgreen.org/training .
We calculated the total tonnes of Co2 that was emitted in three of our major shoots in 2022. The areas which created the biggest footprint were travel, transport and materials. Each project’s emissions vary – number of shoot days, live action vs animation and location proximity to cast and crew can impact on the overall calculation.
Some of the categories covered:
- Non-filming spaces
- Filming spaces
- Travel and transport
- Accommodation
- Materials
- Disposal
- Post-production
Adgreen has an in-depth page where you can watch all the ‘how to’ videos to get started. Once a footprint has been finalised by all collaborators and approved by AdGreen, you’ll be able to offset it at £10.50 per tonne with their offsetting partners, Ecologi. Remember – offsetting should not be used in place of making impactful changes that will genuinely reduce your carbon footprint or used as a distraction from the real solutions to reduce emissions.
What will we be doing to improve sustainable productions?
Based on the information calculated from previous productions, we’ve made informed decisions on how to better our reduction of carbon emissions and waste. In order to reduce our carbon emissions across travel and transport, we will continue to car-share to the shoot locations. If projects are far away or overseas, our directors work with local crew instead of flying our crew over, as it is better for the environment.
We have already taken measures to ensure that all food on set is vegetarian. This is a great way of not only minimising our carbon footprint but also saving the planet. Along with this, we use reusable cups and cutlery to create minimal plastic waste.
The materials that go into the manufacture of tech are extremely costly to the environment (we are so passionate about this that we made a video series about it). So we rent rather than purchase new kit. As a commitment to supporting local businesses and fostering a friendly local community, we avoid Amazon where possible, opting to shop locally. Set builds are dismantled and reused or redistributed. Nothing is thrown away – we’ll recycle where possible.
In post-production, we reduce our carbon footprint by working remotely or working out of our co-working space at Future Leap, cycling or walking to work where possible.
It’s time to take action! We are all responsible for our own carbon footprint. With the current environmental and ecological crisis there are many things that you can change for your business to do good. Each step we take is a part of the bigger change, so act now. And if you need a sustainable video production agency get in contact with us today!
Becky Lomas