BBC and BAFTA eco-standard gets screen debut on Springwatch

The debut of the ‘albert+’ rating on Springwatch, and also on the BBC’s ‘From There to Here’ drama, marks the first step of the BBC’s and the British Academy of Film & Television Arts’ (BAFTA) drive to take the industry towards a low carbon future.

In March edie reported that BAFTA was refining its industry carbon calculator Albert to enable better reporting for television and film productions. Using the calculator, programmes can work towards achieving the albert+ badge, which demonstrates that senior staff have taken a strong lead on sustainability.

This includes sharing goals with cast and crew, measuring carbon footprints, and adopting sufficient low-carbon production techniques to address the overall environmental impact of the programme.

On Springwatch, there are plans to introduce new technology such as waste vegetable oil and solar powered generators to power the facilities base on location at RSPB Minsmere, to achieve carbon-neutral emissions instead of using a diesel generator.

The programme is also looking to install clean technology fuel cells to power remote camera and camera hubs, and undertake recycling on-set and in the production office with all disposables reusable or biodegradable.

Suppliers to the series, including location caterers, are also being asked to adopt sustainable catering measure and utilise the lowest emission hire cars available.

Meanwhile the ‘From There To Here’ drama has sourced its props and costumes from local charities and returned them for reuse after filming. It has also reduced paper use by 80% through the introduction of an opt-in policy for call-sheets, schedules and scripts, and cut travel emissions through the use of car sharing schemes and low emission taxis.

The BBC and BAFTA are now pushing for wider adoption of the standard across the industry to help educate audiences in environmental issues. Commenting on the , BAFTA’s CEO Kevin Price said: “A large piece of the industry’s sustainability puzzle is our ability to communicate effectively with audiences, I am delighted the consortium has taken the first step along this path.”

Maxine Perella