Our initiative to green the film industry has a dual purpose: To reduce the environmental impact of film production — making a movie, especially a blockbuster, produces massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions; and to spread climate change messages through cinema. Messages woven in an engrossing story on the big screen changes minds, and hearts.
Film4Climate is a global initiative committed to developing a concrete plan to mitigate the environmental impact of film production as well as raising awareness about climate change.
The objective is two-fold:
- Unify the film industry under one globally recognized standard for sustainable productions
- Develop a global commitment from industry signatories who pledge to meet the standard, reduce the environmental impact, and participate in encouraging climate change awareness and action.
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Trailer
Approach
To do this, we’ll spend the next few months establishing a network of knowledge partners representing the industry’s practitioners and associations (e.g. Film Institutes, Film Commissions, Studios, Production Companies, and International Film Festivals). The partners will work together to share insights, experiences, and practical tools to achieve the goals.
We aim to share the results with an international audience during events taking place at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, from November 30 - December 11.
Several excellent templates have been devised by Studios in the USA and Europe along with self-regulating, free software that allows producers to establish the projected carbon footprint for the production of the upcoming venture, based on scripts, breakdowns, and schedules. Signing up for the program allows the subscriber to enter the actual data during the production to learn if it is possible to reduce the overall carbon footprint by the end of the process.
Connect4Climate has discussed this idea at previous film festivals and events: We announced it at the Berlin International Film Festival, and discussed it at the Stockfish European Film Festival in Reykjavik, Iceland, at the Guadalajara Film Festival, the largest festival in Latin American, and most recently at a screening of Chloe & Theo at the World Bank Group headquarters. Now, we go to the south of France to the Cannes International Film Festival, held from May 13-24 to keep the momentum going.
Why film?
Cinema plays a fundamental role in directing massive attention to social issues and shifts in thinking. Recall Erin Brockovich, Hotel Rwanda, Blood Diamond, or Syriana. Films can also mobilize people to demand change themselves. Think Norma Rae and Philadelphia.
Just as important, the film and entertainment production industry employs millions and traditionally consumes vast amounts of energy and resources with productions around the world. We think it’s time for a global creative and influential alliance to tackle the climate crisis.
Context
This year is a pivotal one for people and the planet: two crucial UN processes will conclude later this year: the Sustainable Development Goals and the COP21 climate change negotiations in Paris, France – and we’re preparing now by, in part, kicking our Flim4Climate initiative into high gear.
The upcoming Paris COP 21 climate negotiations aim to achieve a legally-binding global agreement to accelerate climate action, and are already generating momentum and serious attention. To capitalize on this, the World Bank Group Connect4Climate program is joining forces with high-profile partners to encourage the film and entertainment industry to take action on climate change.
Action4Climate
The Action4Climate youth competition challenged filmmakers from around the world to tell their climate change story - see the inspiring winning entries on action4climate.org
