British Columbia adopts more sustainable outdoor photography practices

Sustainable sets are more than just a trend, and British Columbia has been a pioneer. Alpha Select Production Services CEO Beverley Dondale is spearheading the $242 million studio project in partnership with the Malahat Nation. The initiative aims to create a carbon-neutral, zero-waste production facility on Vancouver Island. Through a phased approach to construction, the studio will incorporate renewable energy, waste management and sustainable practices, and the Malahat Nation will own 51 percent of the equity.

The planned facility includes a 10-acre backlot, two production offices, a workshop, a warehouse and a dual sound stage. Given the island’s lack of waste management options, Dondale has partnered with a construction company to help dismantle the set in a way that allows for the salvage of materials and the donation of salvaged resources to local nonprofits. She is also working with groups to donate unused food and materials to the community.

“We have composting and recycling capabilities,” Dondale explains, emphasizing the need to make sustainability easier for production teams. She has partnered with companies that will offer tax receipts for donations, making it financially viable to participate.

Dondale is confident that if she can build the company, production will take off.

In Vancouver, major studios are also working toward sustainability goals. Shannon Bart, senior manager of sustainability and production at Netflix, notes that industry research indicates fuel is the biggest source of emissions on set, with about 70% coming from vehicles and 30% from diesel generators. Since 2020, Netflix has implemented a 2030 sustainability plan focused on energy efficiency, vehicle electrification, clean mobile energy and renewable energy sources. “So we’re really focusing on those areas in terms of reducing fossil fuel use and moving to cleaner energy sources,” she says.

Not only are these cleaner options better for the communities involved in the production, but they also give filmmakers a lot of creative freedom and production flexibility.

For example, in “Virgin River,” which was filmed in British Columbia, the production was able to use small, mobile batteries instead of generators. That meant they had access to film in locations, like a boat or large suspension bridges, that otherwise would have been impossible, Bart explains. “You get access to these beautiful shots,” he says.

In June 2023, Netflix, in partnership with Disney, co-launched the Clean Mobile Power initiative to find, test, pilot and scale cost-competitive zero-emission solutions to accelerate the industry’s transition away from diesel generators.

“When it comes to manufacturing sustainability, we focus on developing long-term solutions that can be easily replicated and implemented around the world,” says Yalmaz Siddiqui, vice president of environmental sustainability at The Walt Disney Co. “We also recognize that each production is unique, so we strive to engage the local community in unique ways to reduce emissions, waste and environmental impact.”
from materials.”

Despite the drop in the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes that resulted in fewer shows being greenlit, “Even with the market fluctuations, the bonds and reputation that BC has are incredibly strong, which made 2023 a resilient year,” says BC Film Commissioner Marnie Gee.

Gee says there was an increase in Canadian production during the 2023 strikes in British Columbia, adding that early estimates indicate domestic activity was down just 9%. In April, Creative BC and the province of British Columbia announced they would invest $15.9 million over three years to support domestic production.

“Our focus right now is on workforce development, environmental sustainability resources and industry training, which will be supported by a historic investment from the province.”
says Gee.

Creative BC estimates that an additional 1.04 million square feet of production space will be available across 50 new stages in 2025.

Meanwhile, on Vancouver Island, Film Commissioner Kathleen Gilbert has seen an increase in requests over the past month. “We seem to be on the road to full recovery,” she says, noting that as of August of this year, there have been 16 screenings, with three more scheduled to begin in September.