Independent Film Sustainability Handbook

This handbook was commissioned by the BFI, BBC Film and Film4, and developed by Picture Zero to support you as independent filmmakers in reducing the environmental impact of your productions.

This handbook focuses on actions, initiatives and objectives that are practical and achievable, even with the usual pressures on budget and schedule faced by many independent films.

A resource for the entire industry, this handbook has been created for independent productions. (Rose of Nevada, 2026).

What we can do

Based on Picture Zero’s experience, feature films within a typical UK indie budget range have average carbon footprints of around 80 to 140 tonnes of CO2e per hour. The three biggest emitters are:

  • travel and transport like road travel or fuel for vans and trucks
  • materials from catering, costume or set dressing
  • temporary power like generators or batteries

This handbook has key focus area guides to help you tackle the biggest emitting areas on your film. 

Eleven ways to reduce your emissions

For transport, you can:

  • reduce domestic and international travel 
  • go electric — use hybrid or certified hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) 
  • hire local cast, crew, and equipment 

For temporary power, you can: 

  • use mains power 
  • make a power plan, reduce demand, and spec requirement capacity correctly 
  • replace diesel with batteries or certified HVO 

For materials, you can:

  • reduce catering emissions 
  • prioritise renting over buying 
  • reduce waste, increase material circularity (reuse, repurpose and recycle)

More generally, you can: 

  • engage cast and crew in sustainable practices
  • collect better emissions data 
The handbook outlines achievable ways to offset the three biggest emitters from low to mid budget features. (Pillion, 2025).

Explore the handbook

Use these sections to understand how to make your independent production more sustainable.

Efficiency, sustainability, and cost

You can never start planning too early. Incorporating sustainable practices into your production can reduce environmental impact and, in some cases, costs.

Find out more

Communication and engagement

Communicating effectively with cast, crew, and audiences can help build understanding and support for sustainable practices.

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Topic specific guides

Specific advice on key areas where productions can reduce environmental impact.

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Inclusivity and sustainability

Inclusivity and sustainability go hand in hand in creating a better film industry for the future.

Find out more

Downloadable resources

Download templates, graphics, and departmental one-pagers to support your production sustainability initiatives.

Read this page

Download the full PDF handbook

Indie Film Sustainability HandbookPDF13 MB

Data and reporting 

Collecting good data is key to tracking how sustainable your production is, as it allows you to create a comprehensive footprint. We strongly recommend that you work with your accounts department to track as much as possible on their ledgers, and to ensure you include reference numbers somewhere in your tracking, so you know what came from where. 

Working with suppliers 

Engaging your suppliers is one of the best things you can do to reduce your production’s emissions as the majority of emissions come from these choices. It’s worth bearing in mind suppliers might not be able to fulfil all of your requests. This does not mean you shouldn’t use that supplier; instead, try think of creative solutions you can suggest to them and work with them on their sustainability journey.