Green Statement 2021

Background

The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report details a plethora of evidence that confirms serious and irreversible negative impacts to our climate as the result of human activity. There is a need to act now and continue to ensure all governments, industries and organisations work together and make urgent changes to the way we work and live.

The UK Committee on Climate Change acknowledges the opportunities for Wales to increase and meet its environmental targets. In the report ‘The path to Net Zero and reducing emissions in Wales’ it sets out the ambitious target to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050. 

Many industries are producing emissions at an alarming rate and the screen, film and television industry are no different. Whilst cinema can be an amazing tool for spreading awareness of climate change, the process of filmmaking and exhibition can also be very wasteful and resource intensive. 

The film industry has a crucial role in reducing its’ own environmental impacts at all stages of development, production, and exhibition. This includes reducing CO2 emission caused by transportation and energy usage in film, and the need to consider the industry’s use of materials and resulting waste production. Research across the world highlights the need to not only reduce our impact but to go beyond and develop profound changes to the way we work and live. 
 

Ffilm Cymru Wales

Ffilm Cymru is dedicated to advancing a sustainable film sector, which is inclusive, innovative, and green. Since 2006, we have provided funding, training, and guidance to emerging and established Welsh filmmakers, offered exciting cinematic experiences to audiences across Wales, engaged people of all ages and abilities in creative learning, developed skills and career paths through a range of training programmes, and co-developed approaches that help people in the sector to work differently.

We advocate for and support change across the sector, including identifying barriers to change and developing approaches that overcome those barriers. 

Our strategic plan states the organisation aims to advance a sustainable film sector and film culture that works for everyone across Wales. As part of this, there is a strong consideration towards the role we play in ensuring a greener screen sector in Wales. Our values and work are also framed against the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, setting out the need for a prosperous and resilient Wales, but also for a globally responsible Wales; promoting sustainable development and contributing to environmental well-being. It is vital that businesses, public services, third sector and government work together to achieve these collective goals.

This green statement is only the beginning for us, and our priority is to ensure that we hear the insights of those we work with and beyond in this first phase of our green strategy’s development. 

Ffilm Cymru Wales will plan for the long-term. We will mitigate current impacts and collaborate / involve everyone we work with and work for as we aim to tackle climate change.
 

Actions & Ongoing Work

Our Green Cymru programme looks to support a film sector in Wales that is not only better equipped to combat emerging challenges from climate change and other environmental issues but also continues to grow sustainably. Our initiatives are delivered through the programme’s four identified activity strands: 

• Research
• Innovation & Collaboration
• Support
• Improve

Below is a snapshot of what actions Ffilm Cymru Wales has taken so far and the further work to be done towards achieving a sustainable and more inclusive film sector in Wales.