Sustainability in film is moving beyond good intentions and into measurable impact, and the latest signals are hard to ignore. Renewable electricity generation has grown by 12.5% per year on average from 2010 to 2022, while emissions pressures for material-heavy build outs keep rising as embodied carbon in construction materials remains a major driver. Put together with the rapid growth of sustainability and carbon accounting software markets, the industry is starting to measure more often and more accurately, and that shift is changing what productions choose to build, power, and discard.
Key Takeaways
- 2.1 billion tonnes of CO2 were emitted worldwide by the cement industry in 2022 (IEA/CSI), showing the scale of industrial materials emissions that can be relevant for set construction supply chains
- The global market for sustainable/green building materials was valued at about US$ 242.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to about US$ 421.0 billion by 2030 (MarketsandMarkets estimate)
- The global carbon accounting software market was estimated at about US$ 2.7 billion in 2023 (MarketsandMarkets estimate)
- A study of event sustainability measurement found that reporting data accuracy and frequency improved after adopting standardized carbon footprint methodologies (measurement performance)
- The IEA projects global demand for data centers and related electricity use; energy-efficiency improvements can reduce electricity-related emissions intensity for digital production workflows
- ISO 14064-1 provides requirements for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals at the organization level, used as a measurement basis for production footprinting
- 12.5% average annual growth in global renewable electricity generation between 2010 and 2022, supporting lower-grid emissions for electrified production activities over time
- Material production can account for the largest share of embodied carbon in many building LCAs, which is relevant because film sets are temporary structures using construction materials
- According to the IEA, electrification and efficiency improvements are core pathways to reducing emissions in end-use sectors, including where film production uses electrically powered equipment
- Green filming adoption programs reported more than 1,000 productions engaged through incentive/award programs in the US and Canada by 2023 (Julie’s Bicycle/partner program reporting in sector dashboards)
- The British Standards Institution published BS 8903 for responsible sourcing and land management; the film industry’s adoption of BS-based sustainability practices is increasingly referenced by production companies
- A survey of film/TV professionals found many productions include some sustainability measures; one published industry survey reported that 60%+ used at least one measure such as reducing waste or switching to LED lighting (peer-reviewed/industry survey)
- The EU’s revised Municipal Waste Directive targets recycling and reduces landfilling; this supports quantified diversion rates that production waste programs aim to achieve
- The global recovery and recycling of municipal waste remains below targets; OECD data show recycling rates averaging in the 30-40% range across OECD members (2018-2022 trend)
- In the EU, the Circular Economy Action Plan sets policy direction for reuse and recycling, affecting procurement requirements for production materials
Renewable growth and better carbon accounting are cutting emissions potential for film set materials and electrified production.
Related reading
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01 · Category
Market Size10 stats
01
2.1 billion tonnes of CO2 were emitted worldwide by the cement industry in 2022 (IEA/CSI), showing the scale of industrial materials emissions that can be relevant for set construction supply chainshttps://www.iea.org/reports/tracking-cement-sector-emissions
02
The global market for sustainable/green building materials was valued at about US$ 242.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to about US$ 421.0 billion by 2030 (MarketsandMarkets estimate)https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/green-building-material-market-227955288.html
03
The global carbon accounting software market was estimated at about US$ 2.7 billion in 2023 (MarketsandMarkets estimate)https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/carbon-accounting-software-market-231077428.html
04
The global environmental, social and governance (ESG) software market was estimated at about US$ 8.0 billion in 2023 and projected to reach about US$ 19.0 billion by 2030 (MarketsandMarkets estimate)https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/esg-software-market-213724744.html
05
The global renewable energy market exceeded US$ 1.0 trillion in annual new investment in recent years (IEA tracking investment by technology)https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-investment-2023/investment-by-sector
06
US$ 1.9 trillion global expenditure on pollution control and environmental protection services was estimated by the UN-based dataset used in UNCTAD reporting for 2021https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/wir2023_en.pdf
07
The global packaging waste volume exceeded 353 million tonnes in 2019 (OECD estimate), relevant to on-set packaging and consumableshttps://www.oecd.org/environment/waste/statistics/packaging-waste.htm
08
The global film/TV production sector value is estimated in the hundreds of billions of USD annually (OECD/UNESCO culture economy reporting); sustainability spend is a growing subset of production budgetshttps://uis.unesco.org/en/topic/culture-and-creative-industries
09
In the US, the manufacturing/industrial equipment and services ecosystem supports production gear; the US NAICS 532400 (machinery rental and leasing) revenues are in the hundreds of billions USD (US Census / NAICS industry data)https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=532400
10
The global film location services and permitting market is part of broader location services spend; industry trade bodies estimate these as multi-billion USD annually (ScreenSkills / industry research)https://www.screenskills.com/media/
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
Across the film industry’s sustainability market, the growth signals are clear: green building materials alone rose from about US$242.0 billion in 2023 to a projected US$421.0 billion by 2030, while related tools like ESG software are forecast to expand from roughly US$8.0 billion in 2023 to about US$19.0 billion by 2030, showing that sustainability is becoming a fast-growing, investable market rather than a niche add-on.
02 · Category
Performance Metrics9 stats
01
A study of event sustainability measurement found that reporting data accuracy and frequency improved after adopting standardized carbon footprint methodologies (measurement performance)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126099
02
The IEA projects global demand for data centers and related electricity use; energy-efficiency improvements can reduce electricity-related emissions intensity for digital production workflowshttps://www.iea.org/reports/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks
03
ISO 14064-1 provides requirements for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals at the organization level, used as a measurement basis for production footprintinghttps://www.iso.org/standard/66453.html
04
ISO 14067 specifies quantification and communication of the carbon footprint of products, applicable to sets/costumes in product-level footprintinghttps://www.iso.org/standard/66483.html
05
The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) include climate disclosure requirements with key performance indicators on emissions (tCO2e) and transition planshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2772/oj
06
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 305 requires reporting on emissions, including direct (Scope 1) and energy indirect (Scope 2) emissions in tCO2ehttps://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/gri-305-emissions-2016/
07
A 2020 peer-reviewed study reported a reduction in filming-associated water use when low-flow fixtures and efficient sanitation were used, achieving measurable declines compared with baseline practiceshttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124009
08
The UNFCCC requires annual greenhouse gas inventory submission by countries, which improves measurement capacity and quality of emission factor databases used by industry calculatorshttps://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/transparency-and-reporting/greenhouse-gas-data/ghg-inventory-submission
09
The GRI 303 Water and Effluents standard requires disclosure of water use and treatment, which supports quantifiable monitoring for set operations using water (e.g., sanitation/cleaning)https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/gri-303-water-and-effluents-2018/
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
Performance metrics in the film industry are getting more effective and comparable, with evidence that standardized carbon footprint methods improve reporting accuracy and frequency and that targeted practice changes like low-flow fixtures measurably cut filming-associated water use compared with baseline.
03 · Category
Emissions & Footprints3 stats
01
12.5% average annual growth in global renewable electricity generation between 2010 and 2022, supporting lower-grid emissions for electrified production activities over timehttps://www.iea.org/reports/electricity-market-report-2023/renewables
02
Material production can account for the largest share of embodied carbon in many building LCAs, which is relevant because film sets are temporary structures using construction materialshttps://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/chapter/chapter-7/
03
According to the IEA, electrification and efficiency improvements are core pathways to reducing emissions in end-use sectors, including where film production uses electrically powered equipmenthttps://www.iea.org/reports/electricity-2024/electrification
Interpretation
Emissions & Footprints Interpretation
From the Emissions and Footprints perspective, the 12.5% average annual growth in global renewable electricity generation since 2010 suggests that increasingly cleaner grids can progressively lower the emissions footprint of electrified film production activities, while the material intensity of temporary sets makes embodied carbon in construction materials a persistent hotspot in lifecycle impacts.
More related reading
04 · Category
User Adoption7 stats
01
Green filming adoption programs reported more than 1,000 productions engaged through incentive/award programs in the US and Canada by 2023 (Julie’s Bicycle/partner program reporting in sector dashboards)https://www.juliesbicycle.com/sustainability/
02
The British Standards Institution published BS 8903 for responsible sourcing and land management; the film industry’s adoption of BS-based sustainability practices is increasingly referenced by production companieshttps://shop.bsigroup.com/products/bs-8903
03
A survey of film/TV professionals found many productions include some sustainability measures; one published industry survey reported that 60%+ used at least one measure such as reducing waste or switching to LED lighting (peer-reviewed/industry survey)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132595
04
The UK Modern Slavery Act applies to qualifying companies in the supply chain, driving adoption of human-rights due diligence and supplier reporting relevant to production procurementhttps://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/30/contents
05
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has covered thousands of companies worldwide; production vendors’ adoption of SBTi targets increases their market participationhttps://sciencebasedtargets.org/companies-taking-action
06
ISO 14001:2015 adoption globally exceeds one million certificates; this drives adoption of environmental management systems by suppliers used in film production (ISO Survey)https://www.iso.org/news/ref2449.html
07
The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires covered companies to report sustainability impacts; vendor adoption of data/targets increases due to CSRD compliance pressurehttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2464/oj
Interpretation
User Adoption Interpretation
By 2023, incentive and award programs have helped more than 1,000 US and Canadian productions adopt greener filming practices, and that momentum is reinforced across the supply chain as sustainability standards, reporting rules, and targets like ISO 14001 and CSRD push widespread uptake of environmental and human rights measures through vendor and procurement decisions.
05 · Category
Industry Trends12 stats
01
The EU’s revised Municipal Waste Directive targets recycling and reduces landfilling; this supports quantified diversion rates that production waste programs aim to achievehttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/98/oj
02
The global recovery and recycling of municipal waste remains below targets; OECD data show recycling rates averaging in the 30-40% range across OECD members (2018-2022 trend)https://www.oecd.org/environment/waste/municipal-waste-management/
03
In the EU, the Circular Economy Action Plan sets policy direction for reuse and recycling, affecting procurement requirements for production materialshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0098
04
California’s SB 1383 (2016) requires businesses to divert recyclable and organics waste from landfills; enforcement drives adoption of composting/zero-waste practices in venues and production facilitieshttps://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB1383
05
In the EU, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) phases in from 2023 for cement, iron/steel, aluminum, fertilizers and electricity, affecting costs and carbon choices in material-intensive set constructionhttps://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism_en
06
The IPCC AR6 Working Group III states that demand reduction and circularity can reduce emissions, which supports industry trends toward reusing sets/costumes and minimizing wastehttps://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/
07
The IEA estimates that energy efficiency improvements are essential to meet climate targets; this supports trend toward more efficient generation and electrified production powerhttps://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023/energy-efficiency
08
The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (adopted 2024) strengthens supply chain due diligence; production procurement of services and materials is impacted via vendor compliancehttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj
09
The EU’s ESG ratings and data ecosystem continues expanding; ESMA and EU regulators increase reporting and data quality expectations impacting sustainability measurement vendors used by film industry stakeholdershttps://www.esma.europa.eu/press-news/esma-news/esma-publishes-final-report-ec-regulation-esg-rating-providers
10
According to the IEA, electricity generation emissions continue to fall in many regions as renewables expand, reducing grid emissions for electrified set operationshttps://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023/electricity
11
The EU’s REACH regulation impacts chemical selection for production props and set materials (where chemicals are used), encouraging substitution to lower-toxicity alternativeshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1907/oj
12
A 2022 peer-reviewed study found that implementing ISO 14001-style environmental management systems improves environmental performance metrics in organizations, informing similar practices in film production companieshttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131619
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Across key regions, sustainability policy and market pressure are steadily tightening the film industry’s industry trends, with EU municipal waste recycling hovering around the 30 to 40% OECD average and California requiring diversion of recyclable and organics waste from landfills, which is pushing production teams toward reuse and lower waste operations.
06 · Category
Cost Analysis5 stats
01
UK Landfill Tax rates for standard rate increased to £110 per tonne in 2024 (UK HMRC), raising disposal costs for film waste sent to landfillhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rates-and-allowances-landfill-tax
02
In the EU, producer responsibility rules under packaging waste require compliance costs; the EU packaging EPR framework can shift costs to producers (EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive updates)https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste_en
03
The EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) allocates allowances and sets carbon price exposure for industrial emitters; film-related industries with subcontracted energy-intensive activities face direct cost of carbon per tonnehttps://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-emissions-trading-system/
04
The EU Green Deal Industrial Plan and Net-Zero Industry Act aim to reduce costs of clean technologies; adoption reduces procurement costs for electrified and efficient production equipmenthttps://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/green-deal-industrial-plan_en
05
US federal tax incentives reduce cost for installing energy-efficient equipment; for example, the 30% federal credit for certain energy improvements can reduce upfront costs for power efficiency measureshttps://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
From a cost analysis standpoint, landfill disposal costs are climbing in the UK with the standard Landfill Tax rising to £110 per tonne in 2024, while EU carbon pricing and packaging EPR compliance can add ongoing per unit financial pressure, even as incentives and net zero policies help offset some electrified equipment and energy efficiency upgrades.
Reference
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APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Sustainability In The Film Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-film-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Sustainability In The Film Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-film-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Sustainability In The Film Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-film-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
46 datasets cited across this report
+21 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)