How Bollywood, OTT Platforms Are Adopting Sustainable Practices To Combat Climate Change

Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, a Bollywood film starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Vaani Kapoor, was unusual film in more ways than one when it released in 2021. Its plot revolves around the relationship between a heterosexual man and a transgender woman and is set in Chandigarh’s conservative settings. But, more curiously, it touched upon another difficult theme of creating a zero-waste production process. 

Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui takes the environmental theme several notches up that was first set up in India through Aisa Yeh Jahaan, a 2015 Bollywood drama directed by Biswajeet Bora, which claims to be India’s first carbon-neutral film.

These two films have brought to India a global green movement in the cinema industry which has acquired significant proportion in the fight against climate change. Beyond the glamour and spectacle of the silver screen, its proponents want cinema audiences to pause to consider the environmental impact behind the scenes. They want the audiences to ponder about what happens to the elaborate sets of blockbusters that process millions of details of their gargantuan sets. The green scrutiny of cinema has become a serious business now, where difficult questions are being asked in India as well. 

The Environmental Toll of Film Production 

A film set is an energy-intensive, waste-generating entity, with most of its waste ending up in landfills. A British Film Institute (BFI) study A Screen New Deal revealed in 2020 that blockbuster films emit an average of 2,840 tonnes of CO2 per production. The study highlighted that 51% of emissions stemmed from transport, with the rest from energy consumption. The report called for better reporting standards and the integration of eco-consultants in the pre-planning phases of film productions. 

Stakeholders in India agree with the findings of the BFI study that awareness about the carbon footprint of film production is low. According to Janjri Jasani, deputy director at the Mumbai-based Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE), “The idea of sustainable filmmaking and carbon-neutral films is still not considered a norm in the Indian film industry.” She suggests raising awareness among filmmakers and crew about the importance of sustainability and providing incentives for implementing green initiatives. She suggests that using renewable energy sources, employing biodegradable materials and promoting efficient transportation methods are some steps that can significantly reduce the environmental impact of film production.

Various factors contribute to the carbon emissions on a film set, including costumes, transportation, and lighting. Lighting, in particular, is an energy-intensive process. Independent filmmaker Paramvir Singh notes that large pieces of plywood used on sets eventually end up in landfills, and confetti used in song sequences often becomes ocean pollution. Films with larger budgets involve hundreds or thousands of people for months, placing significant stress on resources. 

Singh elaborates, “A set, post-pack, mostly goes into the trash can. Sets made up of large and small pieces of plywood are used repeatedly until they become too small, and then they go to landfills. Sets often have a plaster of Paris (POP) coating for a cemented look, which is environmentally harmful. Props are usually rented and recycled from shoot to shoot.” 

Additionally, he highlights the environmental damage from common practices on sets: “Confetti used for shooting songs is just plastic shreds. After the shoot is over, 50 kilogrammes of confetti may end up in the ocean. Water consumption during such shoots is high, as roads are often wet to achieve a specific look.” 

Streaming and Controlling Emissions 

The Sustainable Production Alliance (SPA) comprises leading global film, television and streaming companies working to create a more sustainable entertainment industry. Its members include Amazon Studios, Disney, Fox Corporation, Netflix and Warner Bros. The SPA distributes tools and guidelines to professionals in the industry to promote sustainable practices. 

Netflix, for example, claims to go greener by using cleaner technology and employing sustainability officers to encourage partners to adopt sustainability standards. Similarly, Amazon Prime has implemented various sustainability practices during the production of their Original series, such as waste diversion, avoiding single-use plastics and recycling set materials. 

Amazon Prime has been engaging in educating and aligning its content partners in India with its Global Sustainability Policies that takes sustainability practices at streaming platforms ahead of what Bollywood does. A Prime spokesperson tells Outlook Planet: “This global mandate, gradually being introduced worldwide, aims to foster greener and cleaner production practices. These initiatives encompass a range of sustainability measures that include observing, collecting data, monitoring environmental impact, raising crew awareness and imparting education on sustainability. It collaborates with local service providers to identify recycling opportunities, seeking ways to positively impact filming locations ecologically and implementing waste segregation measures to reduce wastage throughout the production process.” 

In 2023, Amazon Prime released an Original series Adhura, whose production process included sustainability practices like waste diversion through recycling and composting and avoiding the usage of single-use plastic bottles, tissues and batteries. The production team also donated approximately 400 kilogrammes of unused food to various non-governmental organisations. “We also planted around 700 saplings of local fauna Shola grasslands, which was undertaken with the help of local authorities and voluntary participation by some of our shoot crew. This allowed us to offset the impact of carbon emissions during the production of the series,” the spokesperson adds.  

The Amazon Prime team cites another example of sustainable production in the case of series The Village, which was also released in 2023. The production unit successfully recycles 38,960 kilogrammes of plaster of Paris and other waste material, which was generated on set dismantle, thereby diverting the entire waste from going to landfill.

Amazon claims that through this exercise, it saved 67.3 metric tonne of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. Some of the other Amazon India series where sustainability has been adopted during production include Mumbai Diaries S2, Dupahiya and Inspector Rishi. 

It is not that all is environment friendly in the streaming business. In fact, this rapidly growing segment of the entertainment industry leaves a significant carbon footprint. According to a report published by the Royal Society in 2020, titled Digital Technology and the Planet, the emissions from streaming can vary depending on the quality of the video. Streaming in high definition or ultra-high definition (4K) produces significantly more emissions than streaming in standard definition. 

Moreover, the choice between traditional analogue film rolls and digital memory cards impacts the environment. A study by the UCLA’s Institute of the Environment & Sustainability, titled Film vs. Digital: Life Cycle Analysis for HBO compares 35 mm film to digital semiconductors, revealing that film has a much greater environmental impact. For instance, an hour of unedited 35 mm film requires 180 times more energy and 224 times more water, while generating 3.5 times more CO2 emissions and 1.5 times more hazardous waste compared to digital formats. 

The Carbon Emissions of Film and Television Production report by the SPA highlights the significant carbon footprint of feature films and television productions. Large films have a carbon footprint of approximately 1,081 metric tonnes, medium films 769 metric tonnes and small films 391 metric tonnes. The largest contribution to this footprint is the consumption of fuel for vehicles and generators, the report says. 

Waiting for Innovation 

Innovation is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of the film industry. For instance, the use of LED lighting fixtures, which consume less power than traditional bulbs, can significantly cut down on energy consumption. Singh argues that although traditional lights consume enormous amounts of electricity, newer LED bulbs, while less popular among some cinematographers, offer a more sustainable alternative. 

Singh says, “We get a lot of lights on rent, and lighting requires substantial electricity. For a typical shoot, we use generators with a minimum power of 126 KW, which sometimes goes up to 250 KW. Traditional bulbs can consume up to 6,000 watts each, consuming a lot of electricity.” He says that even when filmmakers are aware of the efficiency of LEDs, they refrain from using the LEDs due to quality concerns. He adds, “Older lamps are more dependable, and one is used to the colour of their light, which is an important consideration in cinematography. Poor quality LEDs cause colour shift, making actors’ skin look greenish.” 

Another promising innovation is virtual production, which can reduce carbon emissions by 20 to 50 per cent compared to traditional film production methods. This technology, which includes extended reality, motion capture, real-time VFX and 3D world building, can also save travel emissions, a major contributor to the industry's carbon footprint. 

However, virtual production comes with its own set of challenges, such as high power consumption for LED volumes and data processing and the environmental impact of manufacturing and disposing of high-tech equipment. The Virtual Production’s Role in Carbon Reduction and Net Zero Production in the Screen Industry report, published by the Future Observatory, a UK body dedicated to researching on green practices across sectors, highlights these issues, emphasising the need for a comprehensive understanding of the carbon footprint associated with cloud computing and data storage. 

Challenges and Opportunities 

In the Indian context, AisaYehJahaan served as a pioneering example in film production meeting green concerns. It removed an amount of carbon equal to that produced during its making. Its director Bora, who hails from Assam, recalls, “Whenever I opened my window in Mumbai, I felt homesick. Missing the greenery of Assam, I saw a bleak future due to the concrete jungle. I started working on a story about the environment. During the film's production, I realised that it might harm the environment, so I collaborated with the CERE to make it carbon neutral.” 

Despite the progress made, several challenges remain in the path to sustainable filmmaking. One of the primary hurdles is the cost associated with green practices. Sustainable materials and technologies can be expensive, and not all production houses are willing to make this investment. 

After having worked on Aisa Yeh Jahaan, the CERE proposed similar studies and projects for bigger production houses in the country. However, their response was less than enthusiastic, primarily on account of the cost involved. Jasani says, “The remedial costs [to offset carbon footprint] are meagre in comparison to the costs of some big-budget films in production today, and the cumulative impact of these actions, if implemented, would be high. Another challenge is a lack of good-quality data. Production houses currently do not track any data to determine their environmental impact. If this could become a common practice, as it is in the entertainment industries outside India, the transition to greener systems would be more seamless and easier to make a case for.” 

Bora agrees with Jasani’s impression: “One of the biggest challenges was convincing everyone involved in the film production about the importance of our initiative. There was scepticism about the additional effort and costs involved. However, once they understood the significance, they became supportive, and even enthusiastic, about the project.” 

On the other hand, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and innovation. The demand for sustainable practices is increasing, and there is a growing market for eco-friendly products and services in the film industry. Companies that specialise in green technologies, waste management and sustainable set design can find new business opportunities.

Furthermore, the push for sustainability can lead to innovation in filmmaking techniques. Virtual production, for example, is an emerging technology that can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of film production. By leveraging digital tools and virtual environments, filmmakers can create complex sets and scenes without the need for physical materials and extensive travel. However, as noted above, experts prefer to study the environmental impact of this innovation further. 

Green Intervention

Government policies and regulations can play a crucial role in promoting sustainable practices in the film industry. Incentives for green production, such as tax breaks and grants, can encourage filmmakers to adopt eco-friendly practices. Additionally, regulations that mandate waste management and energy efficiency can set industry-wide standards for sustainability. 

In some countries, film commissions offer incentives for sustainable production. For example, the British Film Institute provides funding for projects that meet specific environmental criteria. Similar initiatives can be implemented in India to support green filmmaking. 

Jasani emphasises the importance of policy support: “Government policies can provide the necessary push for the industry to adopt sustainable practices. Incentives, regulations, and awareness campaigns can create a conducive environment for green filmmaking.” 

The film industry, a significant segment of the Indian economy, must recognise its environmental responsibilities. The path towards greener filmmaking is challenging but necessary for the industry's future and the well-being of our world. By adopting sustainable practices, leveraging new technologies and shifting mindsets, the film industry can play a crucial role in addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. 

As the industry continues to evolve, the journey towards sustainable filmmaking will require concerted efforts from all stakeholders. Filmmakers, production houses, policymakers and audiences must collaborate to create a sustainable future for the industry. By embracing sustainable practices and innovative technologies, the film industry can significantly reduce its carbon footprint. 

In the words of Bora, “My film may not be a great initiative, but a small step towards the environment. However, I strongly feel that it is high time we understand the importance of global warming and try to do our bit in every way possible.” This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of sustainable filmmaking – every small step counts towards a larger goal of environmental preservation.