The second statistics on the ecology of Finnish audiovisual productions once again highlight: the highest emissions come from travelling

Third season of the animation series ”Moominvalley” received an albert certificate. (Photo: Moomin Characters, Gutsy Animations)

Audiovisual Producers Finland – APFI, Finland’s trade association for producers of audiovisual content, has been leading a project since 2021 aimed at enhancing the sustainability of the audiovisual industry. Through this initiative, Finnish production companies have been equipped with a toolkit that, among other things, has allowed them to calculate their productions carbon footprint. The albert toolkit has now been used to compile statistics on the ecology of productions filmed in 2023. This is the second report of its kind.

The first statistics on the ecology of Finnish film and TV productions were published in spring 2023, covering data from 2022. The recently released statistics, the second of their kind, focus on 2023 productions. Under APFI’s guidance, Finnish production companies have been provided with the UK-originated albert toolkit, including a carbon footprint calculator and certification system. The toolskithelps productions not only calculate but also reduce their emissions.

The second report covered 14 productions: this time, most Emissions came from road travel

In 2023, a total of 14 productions calculated their carbon emissions, which amounted to 755 tCO2e. These productions included both fictional and non-fictional TV programs, but, as with the first report, no feature films were included. The carbon emissions per hour of finished material remained the same as in 2022, at 6.5 tCO2e/h. The majority of emissions, 78%, once again stemmed from travelling: whereas in 2022, most emissions were from air travel, in 2023, the majority came from road travel.

The statistics from 2022 and 2023 show most productions had almost no emissions

To receive an albert certification, a production must demonstrate efforts to reduce its emissions. Six of the 2023 productions achieved certification (2022: 1 certification), indicating that productions have become more ambitious. With data from two years covering 37 productions, it was possible for the first time to compare different production methods and genres. Excluding animations and productions filmed solely in studios, logistics accounted for more than half of the emissions, regardless of genre or production method. Emissions were also unevenly distributed: only a quarter of the 37 productions accounted for 85% of the total emissions.

APFI’s Sustainability Project Manager, Anne Puolanne, who compiled the statistics for both years and has assisted productions using the toolkit, commented: Generally speaking, I’d say production companies need the most help in the early stages, after which they become quite self-sufficient. It’s encouraging to hear that several companies have already made sustainability a central part of their operations. Regarding the next steps of the project, Puolanne stated, Now that we’re starting to have data on productions and the industry’s overall sustainability, we’re able to begin discussions on how to use this information to achieve a better industry.

Finland’s national sustainability strategy initiative is partly funded by a consortium of key partners of the industry, including the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

Ministry of Education and Culture
Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE
Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture AVEK
Finnish Film Foundation
The Finnish Television Academy (incl. all commercial broadcasters)
Business Finland
City of Helsinki
City of Forssa
Finnish Lapland Film Commission
North Finland Film Commission
West Finland Film Commission
East Finland Film Commission
Southeast Finland Film Commission
Film Tampere
Åland Film Commission
Trade Union for Theatre and Media Finland
AVATE (union of Finnish Actors’ Union, Association of Finnish Film Directors SELO, and Writers Guild of Finland)

Comprehensive reports on the statistics are available in both Finnish and English on the APFI website.

More information:

Anne Puolanne, Sustainability Manager / APFI
+358 50 387 6380, firstname.lastname (a) apfi.fi
apfi.fi/en/strategy-on-sustainability
wearealbert.org

Audiovisual Producers Finland – APFI is Finland’s trade association for film and TV producers. APFI is tasked with representing the interests of producers in the field of audiovisual content production, promoting internationalisation, and organising industry events and competitions. It is also responsible for the collective management of copyrights. In 2019, APFI together with Aalto University and The Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture AVEK funded the very first guidebook for sustainable production in Finland, titled “Ekosetti”. In 2021, APFI has spearheaded the creation of a national sustainable development strategy for the audiovisual sector, together with other main industry stakeholders, ultimately targeting a more sustainable work culture for all audiovisual professionals. In 2023, the strategy expanded to also develop the industry’s social responsibility. 

albert is the leading screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability. Founded in 2011, albert supports the film and TV industry to reduce the environmental impacts of production and to create content that supports a vision for a sustainable future. The BAFTA-owned, industry-backed organisation offers online tools and training, events, practical guidance and thought leadership to all screen industry professionals to help them identify and act upon opportunities on and off screen which can lead to effective climate action.