The UK is legally bound by the Climate Change Act (2008) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% (net zero) by 2050, applying across all devolved nations.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may issue different guidance on how this target is achieved, and may set additional or more ambitious targets beyond the statutory minimum. For example, Scotland has committed to reaching net zero by 2045 (see here).
At the time of writing, there is no single mandatory requirement for all UK companies to disclose sustainability or climate-related data. However, the UK Sustainability Disclosure Standards (UK SDS) are expected to be introduced in the coming years, mandating sustainability and climate reporting for large companies:
Biodiversity protections are overseen by devolved statutory bodies, and guidance should be sought directly from the relevant authority depending on filming location:
Key national legislation relating to social sustainability includes the Equality Act 2010, which protects against discrimination in employment and service provision and the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which requires large organisations to report on steps taken to prevent forced labour and exploitation within supply chains.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list.
Films and HETV productions in the UK can access the UK’s AVEC (Audiovisual Expenditure Credit) Scheme, which provides a refundable tax credit on qualifying UK production expenditure. At the time of writing, the scheme does not include specific sustainability requirements, unlike some equivalent incentive frameworks in other countries.
Environmental sustainability requirements in the UK screen sector are largely driven by commissioners, broadcasters, funders and production groups rather than by legislation. Many productions are expected to measure and manage environmental impact using BAFTA albert tools and certification standards. Key organisations with sustainability requirements or frameworks in place include:
These requirements sit within a broader industry context shaped by initiatives such as BAFTA albert’s Climate Content Pledge, which commits signatory broadcasters and streamers to using content to help audiences engage with climate change and sustainable choices.
The British Film Institute also integrates environmental sustainability requirements into its funding programmes. Productions applying for BFI National Lottery funding are expected to submit a sustainability plan and demonstrate how environmental impacts will be measured and reduced during production.
Several regional screen agencies and funding bodies across the UK are also incorporating sustainability criteria into their funding frameworks and production guidance, as reflected in the regional examples set out below.
National and regional initiatives across the UK support sustainable screen production by providing guidance, tools, training, research and supplier networks that help productions reduce environmental impact, share best practice and meet industry expectations.
At a national level, BAFTA albert works with broadcasters, producers and commissioners to deliver industry-wide sustainability programmes, carbon measurement tools and sector training that support deeper decarbonisation and cleaner production practices.
Key industry frameworks and reports include:
These publications provide data, benchmarks and operational guidance for reducing emissions across productions and studio facilities.
And the BFI integrates environmental sustainability expectations within its funding strategy and National Lottery awards, shaping standards across the UK screen sector.
Regionally focused screen sustainability programmes also exist: Culture for Climate Scotland supports green practice across Scotland’s creative industries, while Media Cymru’s ‘Greening the Screen’ programmes and the Screen New Deal Transformation Plan for Wales provide data-driven guidance and funding to decarbonise production in Wales.
Across the UK, local and regional screen agencies play an active role in embedding sustainability into production practice. In addition to national initiatives, screen hubs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland provide funding frameworks, training programmes and infrastructure guidance that increasingly integrate environmental criteria.
For example:
Regional agencies across the UK continue to strengthen alignment between funding, training and environmental standards as part of a broader sector-wide transition.
As sustainability requirements and regional initiatives continue to evolve, productions are encouraged to consult the relevant regional screen agency for the most up-to-date guidance and funding criteria. This resource may be updated as new programmes and regulations emerge.
Together, these national and regional organisations operate in partnership with broadcasters, film commissions, public funders and industry bodies to accelerate sustainable screen production across the UK.
The UK’s first industry-specific grid connection for film and television production is located in London via the Victoria Park grid cabinet, delivered through Film London’s Grid Project.
Several additional grid connection projects are currently under development across the UK, though no further permanent connection points have been formally established at the time of writing. In most urban areas, temporary grid connections may be possible but must be arranged on a production-by-production basis.
Further guidance on grid connections for productions can be found via the Grid Knowledge Blog by Leverage Point Entertainment.
Productions in the UK are subject to waste regulations and a statutory Duty of Care, requiring waste to be correctly stored, segregated and disposed of using licensed waste carriers. Separate handling is required for recyclable, residual and hazardous waste, with enforcement managed by devolved environmental authorities.
In England, the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms require businesses and workplaces to separate key recyclable materials and food waste for collection. Productions operating in England must ensure compliance with these requirements, including the separate collection of food waste where applicable.
Recent regulatory updates are also expanding mandatory separation of waste streams, including recyclable materials and food waste for composting or anaerobic digestion, meaning that businesses must ensure these materials are not disposed of with general waste where collection services are available (UK Government, Simpler Recycling – workplace recycling in England).
The UK has an extensive rail network connecting England, Scotland and Wales. Centralised information on all operators is available via National Rail.
Public transport in Northern Ireland is operated by TransLink.
Public transport within London is coordinated by Transport for London, which provides extensive coverage across the city.
Bike and electric scooter hire schemes are available in most major UK cities, subject to local regulation. (for example: London, Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh, Belfast)
For production transport and logistics where electrification is not yet feasible, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is increasingly used as a lower-carbon alternative to diesel, particularly for heavy vehicles and generators.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is widely available across the UK, though coverage varies by region. The most up-to-date information on charger locations can be found via
Zap-Map.
Most national vehicle hire companies offer electric vehicles, and availability from industry-specific unit car suppliers is increasing. In major cities such as London, electric taxi fleets are also widely available, including the TX electric black cab, providing an additional low-emission transport option for urban travel.
The UK has an established network of sustainability consultancies supporting film, television and creative productions. These include:
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Additional consultancies may be included as the sector continues to develop.
Publicly accessible directories of sustainable suppliers include:
Sustainability networks for UK screen professionals are typically coordinated through national industry bodies, devolved screen agencies and publicly accessible events, forums and working groups facilitated by organisations such as BAFTA albert, the BFI, and regional screen agencies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Sustainability training available to UK screen professionals includes:
Carbon measurement tools commonly used within the UK screen industry include:
Production Carbon Measurement:
Organisational & Sector Toolkits:
Behavioural & Literacy Frameworks:
Circularity & Materials:
Accessibility:
Other calculators and tools are available. Their list can be consulted
on our partner‘s website Green Toolkit Film&TV.
This fact sheet has been compiled by Leverage Point Entertainment.
