Sustainability in production is growing rapidly, but there is no uniform methodology, results or requirements.
Numerous approaches to green production currently exist, ranging from simple theoretical consultancy services to integrated services on the production floor.In addition, the increase in green production certifications has risen sharply since 2020, giving rise to numerous initiatives and programmes.In addition, funding from private entities, such as streaming platforms, is increasingly linked to stricter sustainability standards, encouraging production companies to step up their efforts.
Environmental Law
Italy lacks specific decarbonisation policies for the audiovisual industry.
Social rules :
The audiovisual sector is governed by the Labour Code, which regulates working time and safety. Contracts drawn up by some professional associations add additional protections, but professions such as actors and directors do not benefit from standard contracts to negotiate their terms.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion laws, as well as anti-harassment, disability inclusion, and gender balance policies, are still in development. However, private funding from streamers and production conglomerates, such as Fremantle, often includes requirements for these areas and mandates training for productions.
Gender equality : Italy’s film industry faces challenges regarding gender equality and diversity. A 2022 report revealed that over 90% of composers and directors of photography were men, with female-driven projects constituting only 14% of productions between 2017 and 2022To address these disparities, initiatives like the E|Quality project have been launched. This project focuses on promoting inclusion for women, particularly those from historically excluded groups, in Italian film and television.
Despite these efforts, the landscape remains fragmented, with no national standard for diversity, equity, and inclusion practices across the industry.
Trentino Film Fund & Commission was the first regional funding agency in Europe to introduce a green incentive in 2017. Independent monitoring by the regional environmental agency APPA ensures adherence to the Green Film rating system throughout production. Successful compliance results in the award of the GREEN FILM certificate, unlocking the bonus incentive. Many other regional Film Commissions now use Green Film (www.green.film/partners), following its validation by the National System for Protection of the Environment (SNPA – www.snpambiente.it) and its adoption by the Association of Italian Film Comissions (www.italianfilmcommission.it).
Since 2020, the Ministry of Culture ( Art. 26, Legge No. 220/2016) has integrated 5 additional points in the evaluation of the projects submitted to the selective funding process for film productions, covering live-action, fiction, documentaries, if they committ to sustainability. Many regional film commissions, including Trentino, South Tyrol, and Sardinia, had adopted similar frameworks before, with some establishing dedicated regional sustainability protocols.
In January 2024, the Ministries of Culture and Environment further strengthened these initiatives by signing a protocol that ties public funding for film productions to minimum environmental criteria.
Additionally, EcoMuvi, launched in 2013, has been officially recognized by ACCREDIA, Italy’s national accreditation body, as a valid sustainability standard across the EU, with ISO compatibility and certification authority.
Stakeholder inclusion has been limited in Italy until recently. However, in June 2024, the “National Environment & Entertainment Observatory” was launched with EU funding and support from the Ministries of Culture and Environment.
This initiative aims to gather qualitative and quantitative data from all sectors of the entertainment supply chain, providing a transparent overview of sustainable development in audiovisual and theatre productions.
The Observatory is focused on strong stakeholder engagement, partnering with major unions and trade associations to drive growth and dissemination
Italy’s extensive electricity grid can accommodate the typical power needs of film sets, often requiring only one or two 30 kWh connections. However, the main challenge lies in the bureaucratic process for establishing temporary grid connections.
Although once understood, the system can be worked within 4/6 working days, most productions, especially those without a sustainability department, do not know the inner workings of such bureaucracy, resulting often in 30+ days of bureaucratic processes that most productions do not have time or energy to handle.
To facilitate the connection process, productions should contact the local energy supplier in the area hosting the shoot to verify the possibility of a temporary connection.
For detailed information on the connection procedure, Terna, the Italian National Transmission Grid operator, provides comprehensive guidelines
Train
Italy’s high-speed train network is efficient, punctual, clean, and relatively affordable by EU standards, though still considered expensive by many Italians (e.g., Milan-Rome in 3 hours for €50-80).
The main route connects: Turin, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Reggio Calabria.
However, regions not served by this network, especially in the south and west, suffer from slow, delayed trains and frequent service disruptions. Regional train systems are managed locally, resulting in inconsistencies across the country’s 21 regions. Non-high-speed trains are generally cheap but unreliable.
Electric cars
Electric rental cars are relatively common for certain models, such as SUVs and mid-size cars. However, they are almost impossible to find when it comes to larger vans or small city cars.
The real issue in Italy is the lack of charging infrastructure, which prevents many cities from adopting more electric vehicles.
However, more recent data from Motus-E, shows that as of March 2024, the country had reached a total of 54,164 charging points.
Yet, the distribution of charging infrastructure remains uneven across the country, and not all stations are operational due to grid connection issues. Major cities and northern regions are generally well-equipped, while some areas in the south and west of Italy have fewer charging stations.
Cities with the highest number of charging points:
In Italy, waste management is governed by both national and regional regulations, leading to varied practices across the country.
Hazardous Waste: Producers must contract licensed companies for collection, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste. This includes financial guarantees to cover potential risks
General waste : Local authorities manage general waste, with many municipalities relying on municipally contracted companies.
Municipal follows national law in their methodology but also have to decline their services to the local/regional waste management facilities and infrastructure, often resulting in dishomogenous practices in waste separation and collections.
The same applies to composting: while all municipalities differentiate organic waste as a separate category, many facilities do not have capability of actually composting, thus resulting in other uses, such as bio-fuel production etc.
For comprehensive information on Italy’s waste management regulations, refer to the Ministry of the Environment’s official page on recycling and waste management.
TorinoFilmLab runs two programmes: the new Green Production Lab, a natural extension of the Green Film Lab, launched in 2022.
Green Film Lab helps professionals apply green protocols and achieve certification. It raises awareness about sustainability from the ground up and is open to film professionals (with or without a project), sustainability experts, and film institution delegates. Several 3-day residential workshops are held each year across Europe.
Green Production Lab brings together sustainability experts and film professionals to create full sustainability plans for feature film projects. The programme is aimed at:
Up to 12 European sustainability professionals looking to transition into the film industry as sustainability consultants;
3 teams of European producers and crew members (e.g. line producers, coordinators) with a project in pre-production (3 to 6 months before shooting) seeking to integrate green practices and work with consultants.
Between 2021 and 2023 the National Ministry of Culture supported the Green Film Research Lab (www.green.film/greenfilm-research-lab), a comparative study between “traditional” and “green” productions, conceived with the aim of quantifying the environmental benefits associated with the application of the Green Film rating system’s criteria and the additional economic commitment necessary to meet them.
You can find case studies on EcoMuvi
Calculator :
There is no specific tool for Italy, most productions use:
EcoMuvi : Tracking tips and tools
Green film : Tracking tips and tools
Zen2030 : tools
A directory of specialized providers is currently not available in Italy.
Most often word of mouth; alternatively, when contacting a specific sustainability consulting agency or protocol, the owners will have a private directory of professionals to recommend.
EcoMuvi is leading the creation of a national and EU-level trade union for sustainability professionals, which will play a significant role in formalizing the sector.
Consulting companies can be found in the “initiatives” section.
Italy is still developing clear decarbonisation policies.
While plans for new fossil fuel infrastructure continue, there are strong demands to phase out coal by 2025, set higher renewable energy targets, and end fossil fuel extraction. The country also aims to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies.
In June 2023, Italy updated its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), aiming for 40.5% renewable energy in total consumption and 65% in electricity by 2030.
On a higher level of policy, In 2022, Italy amended its Constitution to protect the environment, biodiversity, and animals.
In August 2024, Italy approved five legislative decrees to align with EU regulations on corporate sustainability reporting, which will affect many companies in the film production sector.
This factsheet was produced by Ludovica Chiarini from EcoMuvi, with the contribution of Lucia Marani from Stepforward, Luca Ferrario and Linnea Merzagora from Green Film and Rossella Rovere from Zen2030.
