Meet the Sustainability Department
The sustainability department is a new set of roles that have emerged in screen production as the film and television industries move to reckon with and mitigate their environmental impact. Sustainability consultants, coordinators, and assistants support screen productions in measuring their carbon emissions and waste; translate and enable productions to meet new regulatory requirements; raise awareness and provide education; and lead on changes in practice and the adoption of new technologies. They play a vital part as experts, connectors, and change agents in the industries’ green transition.
Although extant in production for nearly 15 years, the integration of these new roles has been an ongoing challenge. Many in the screen industries remain unaware of what sustainability practitioners do and the value they bring to a production.This is exacerbated by the fast-moving evolution of the roles themselves, which have shifted from a focus on the most tangible “bins-and-water” waste streams to deep decarbonisation and the circular economy.
In June 2025, ScreenSkills, in collaboration with the BFI and BAFTA albert, released new : the first framework of its kind in an English-speaking industry. Developed in consultation with industry practitioners and stakeholders, the NOS represent a landmark step in establishing the roles as an integral part of screen production in the UK.
The Meet the Sustainability Department series introduces these roles and brings the voices of groundbreaking practitioners discussing their work and the impact of the National Occupational Standards. The videos aim to improve visibility and understanding of sustainability work in production and celebrate these often-overlooked yet increasingly vital professionals.
The videos were developed as part of the British Academy/Leverhume funded Eco-Practitioners in the Audiovisual Content Industries, led by Dr. Leora Hadas and created in collaboration with the BFI and BAFTA albert. Videos produced by Alex Wilkinson Media.
Episode 2: Meet the Consultants
Episode 3: Meet the Coordinators