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SWEDEN

Ecological sustainability in Swedish film and TV has gained momentum, with industry networks, tools, and training expanding. In 2024, progress accelerated as commissioners and financiers set clearer sustainability requirements, driving demand for eco-managers. These initiatives have helped establish a broader infrastructure, normalizing greener production practices.

Relevant national legislation

Environmental Regulations

  • Sweden’s Environmental Code (Ds 200:61) is the foundation of environmental legislation, coordinated by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket). Authorities assessing permits for filming in natural areas adhere to this code, which integrates EU environmental standards.
  • Sweden’s renowned right of public access (allemansrätten) grants individuals freedom to explore nature but requires respect for natural areas and residences. Film productions using this right typically need permits for filming in sensitive environments.
  • Protected areas, such as nature reserves, national parks, Natura 2000 sites, and biotope protection zones, have stringent rules. Filming often requires special permits, with detailed maps and lists available.A comprehensive list and map of protected areas can be found here.
  • Local restrictions: such as fire bans and outdoor water-use limitations during summer, are becoming more common. These can impact productions requiring live fires, wet downs, or rain scenes.

Social rules

  • Equality and Inclusion: Sweden emphasizes gender equality, inclusion, and safe workplaces. While progress is notable, ongoing efforts are necessary.
  • Discrimination Act: Based on the UN Declaration of Human Rights, this law prohibits discrimination on seven grounds: gender, gender identity/expression, ethnic origin, religion/belief, disability, sexual orientation, and age.
Film and TV Industry Regulations and Incentives
 

No Dedicated National Plan (2024) : As of 2024, Sweden does not have a dedicated national decarbonisation plan specific to the film and TV industry. However, efforts are underway among key stakeholders to establish a unified industry standard, expected to launch in 2025.

Regional incentives :

Regional film funds require environmental plans and reporting using tools like the Sustainable Film Tool.
Key regional film funds include:

List of existing initiatives

The Swedish Film Institute has published a handbook on sustainable film and TV production with voluntary guidelines. It has taken an active role in leading the green transition.

  • The institute appointed a sustainability coordinator, Patrik Axén, who oversees internal efforts (resulting in environmental certification) and leads collaborative industry initiatives.
  • It participates in roundtable discussions, working groups, and awareness-raising activities to drive meaningful change.
  • It is part of the sustainability working group within The Five Nordics (The Nordic film institutes) which has launched various sustainability initiatives, such as the Green Consultant-course with Nordic participants in collaboration with Hochschule der Medien in Stuttgart and the Nordic Ecological Standard (NES), inspired by the German Ecological Standard, which will be implemented in 2025.

The Swedish film and tv Producers Association (Film & TV-producenterna )

  • formed an ecological sustainability council in 2022, involving production companies, the Swedish Film Institute, broadcasters, and streaming platforms. The association collaborates with the Green Producers Club, offering financial incentives for companies to measure their climate impact using the Green Producers Tool.  They provides training and guidelines for members, and have also been part of a larger collaboration to disseminate a digital course in ecological sustainability made by Kulturakademin.
  • Is a network of 19 Nordic regional and national offices with several representatives in Sweden. Their group created a pledge that all parties signed. The pledge recognizes that a more sustainable film industry is necessary. It also includes an appendix with guidelines.

Viaplay Group (streaming service)

  • Viaplay Group has been at the forefront of promoting sustainability in film and TV production. Their guidelines require measuring the climate impact using tools like Albert or the Green Producers Tool.
  • In their guidelines, they also have their Viaplay Group people + planet storytelling test. This should ensure that their productions normalize more sustainable ways of living. Viaplay aims to implement it in all scripted productions by 2026.
Stakeholders and Collaborative Efforts
  • The Five Nordics: the collaboration between the Nordic film institutes
  • National Production Network: A group involving regional film funds, Swedish film commissions, and film coordinators. The network supports green initiatives, including a case study where a line producer and sustainability manager created two versions of a film budget to evaluate how a more environmentally friendly production choices affects the economy. Example members:Film Stockholm, Film i Skåne, Film på Gotland, Film i Väst, Filmpool Nord. 
  • The NEMA network : a pan-Nordic network for sustainability managers in film and TV, offering continuous updates on green developments in the region.
  • SHIFT (Swedish Sustainability Association in Film and TV) Swedish association for sustainability professionals in film and TV.
  • NEST – Northern European Sustainability Team-Up : A network of representatives from Baltic film regions, initiated by Gotland’s Film Fund and Film Stockholm, to drive and collaborate on green issues.
  • Nordic Green Action Group : Convened by the Nordic Film & TV Fund, this group consists of representatives from Nordic producer associations, public broadcasters, film institutes, and sustainability experts.
  • The Green Producers Club, aims to support the cultural and creative industries in achieving the goals set by the Paris Agreement.

    To do so, GPC works in two key areas: knowledge sharing (The Club) and measurement (The Tool).

    GPC fosters collaboration through Club Meetings, bringing together members and sustainability professionals to share best practices, ensure alignment, and drive industry-wide change.

    GPC provides its members with access to the Green Producers Tool (GPT), a research-based climate tool aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). This tool helps users make informed decisions, plan and design their productions, measure impact, and report emissions. Based on this data, roadmaps are created to meet the milestones of 2030 and 2050.

    GPT is specifically designed for producers and line producers working across borders, enabling teams to collaborate seamlessly on emission calculations—even in complex production setups involving multiple energy sources and supply chains. The tool ensures accurate tracking and reduction of emissions, adapting to real-world production needs.

Grid connection for productions

In Sweden, the main electricity distributors are Vattenfall, Ellevio and E.ON Distribution, which own the majority of Sweden’s regional grids.

Sweden’s electricity grid is predominantly renewable, with 69% from hydroelectric, wind, and solar, 29% from nuclear, and only 1.2% from fossil fuels, making it one of Europe’s most emission-free energy mixes.

To connect to the electricity grid it is essential to contact the local grid operator or electricity supplier well in advance.For remote or smaller locations, additional arrangements might be needed.

Electric Generators: While electric generators are not widely available, batteries with varying capacities are emerging and remain a key area for innovation

On-Set Practices

Waste Management Rules

Sweden’s waste management is advanced, with strict regulations:

  • Landfilling combustible and organic waste is prohibited.
  • Companies must follow local municipal waste management rules.

Plant-Based Catering:

  • Sweden is a leader in plant-based diets, with a cultural acceptance of vegetarian or vegan meals as the default.
  • Productions often adopt plant-based norms, reserving animal-based options as special requests.
  • Restaurants and catering services generally have good knowledge of plant-based diets, though quality may vary

 

On-Set Representatives:

Safety Representative: On every shoot, the team must appoint a safety representative/officer responsible for ensuring that the filming situation is safe.

Trusted Union Representative: The team must also appoint a trusted union representative who acts as a contact person for reporting harassment or discrimination on the workplace confidentially.

Union Regulations: Scen & Film is a strong union representing film workers.Productions receiving public funding must adhere to collective agreements with the union

TRANSPORTATION

 

Train

Sweden’s railway system connects major cities efficiently, providing a sustainable alternative for travel.

Major Routes:

  • High-Speed Trains: Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö are connected with travel times of 3–6 hours.
  • Northern Sweden: Routes to Luleå take longer; popular night trains from Stockholm (approx. 12 hours) are widely used by film workers.
  • International Access: Trains from Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö connect to Oslo, Copenhagen, and even Europe via day or night trains to Hamburg.

Major train companies include SJ (Comprehensive train search and booking), VR, Øresundståg, Snälltåget, and Vy.se, while regional train services are provided by Skånetrafiken, Västtrafik, SL, Länstrafiken Norrbotten, Östgötatrafiken, Värmlandstrafik, Dalatrafik, and UL.

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

The availability of electric cars and charging infrastructure has increased significantly in recent years. Car rental providers specializing in film production have seen a growing demand for electric cars and are generally better to meet the industry’s needs with electric vehicles than traditional larger rental companies.

Charging Facilities:

  • Fast-charging stations are widely available in urban areas and along major roads from various providers.
  • Public parking spaces with overnight charging options are expanding regionally.
  • Portable charging stations can be rented for temporary production office setups.
Resources
  • The Swedish Film Institute offers a sustainability manual for film and TV production.
  • Green Producers Club & Green Producers Tool : a community that gives access to the Green Producers Tool, a research-based climate tool that both measures and helps reduce emissions. Swedish contact: ronny@greenproducers.club
  • Hållbar Film tool : Helps production companies develop and track sustainability efforts.
  • Green Ice Camera: Supports media producers in reducing their ecological footprint in the Barents region

Research Reports

  1. A Study in Green (2020) – Ronny Fritsche
  2. Green Film Criteria for Southern Swedish Context (2018) – David Helsing & Alexandra Wu
  3. Miljöpåverkan av filmproduktion (2015) – Birgit Brunklaus & Malin Eriksson
  4. Sustainability in Vision (2014) – Cine-Regio Report, Paul Evans & Melanie Dicks
TOOLS & CALCULATORS 
 
Training
  • Film Schools: Swedish film schools increasingly include ecological sustainability in their curricula.
  • Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts: Launching a 7.5 ECTS sustainability course in spring 2025.
  • Kulturakademin: Offers a digital course in sustainable film production led by sustainability expert Ronny Fritsche. A shortened version focusing on ecological sustainability has been used by several TV channels and organizations for training their employees.
  • in Spring 2024, The Swedish Film Institute hosts inspirational days and training sessions for the industry
  • Film & TV-producenterna : The Producers Association and film funds have organized recurring training sessions for the industry.
Networks to join :

 

Green consultants

 

SHIFT: A Swedish association for green consultants.

Country’s decarbonization strategy

 

Sweden’s decarbonization strategy targets net-zero emissions by 2045, as outlined in its Climate Act and overseen by the Climate Policy Council. The plan includes cutting territorial greenhouse gas emissions by at least 85% from 1990 levels. The government also aims for a fossil-free economy and 100% renewable energy by 2045.

 

This factsheet was produced by Ronny Fritsche from the Green Producers Club.

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