Estimating the Carbon Footprint of Canada’s Audio-visual Sector

Summary: The purpose of this report, produced by Green Spark Group and commissioned by Telefilm Canada, is to provide an initial understanding of the annual total emissions from Canadian-funded film and TV content. Following similar reports released in the US, the UK and France, this report provides a look at Canada’s unique circumstances and emission reduction opportunities.

Using a 3-year production volume averaged from CMPA’s recent Profile reports, the total annual carbon footprint of Canadian-funded audio-visual content was estimated at 7,126 t CO2e for Canadian feature film production, and 260,843 t CO2e for Canadian TV series (equivalent to 1,669 and 61,087 homes’ energy use for a year, respectively). The research also provides a better understanding of the emission sources and their contribution to a production’s environmental impact (Travel and Transport, Materials, etc.). Such quantitative data on the Canadian audiovisual industry’s carbon footprint is valuable to encouraging the implementation of sustainability best practices in the sector. The report emphasizes the importance of applying a sustainability lens to the budget – beginning at early planning and preparation phases.

Research firm: Green Spark Group, commissioned by Telefilm Canada

Key words: audiovisual industry, sustainability, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, Canadian film and TV, audiovisual production impacts, carbon emissions data