Bollywood is known for its glamorous productions and grandiose sets, but with these come high levels of environmental impact. The film industry's production activities involve a considerable amount of energy consumption, which leads to greenhouse gas emissions. The sets for the film shoots require lighting, air conditioning, and other equipment, which consume a large amount of electricity. Additionally, the transportation of actors, crew members, and equipment to different shooting locations also leads to emissions from fuel consumption. Furthermore, the post-production activities such as editing, dubbing, and distribution require significant energy consumption.
As a result, it is imperative for the industry to adopt eco-friendly practices and have green consultants on board. In this interview with TheCSRUniverse, Siddharth Nakai, Sustainability Consultant for the Film, Media, and Entertainment Industry, discusses the current and emerging sustainability trends in the Indian film industry. He also addresses the challenges and interventions required to mitigate the industry's impact on the environment. Founder of Green Advertising Media & Entertainment (GAME), an organization promoting sustainable practices in the Indian media and entertainment industry, Siddharth shares his goal of making 'sustainably made' content the standard in the industry.
For further insights, read the complete interview.
Q: What are the current and emerging sustainability trends that have caught the attention of the Indian film industry?
A: The Indian media and entertainment industry has kick-started its green journey and has taken small but meaningful steps ahead. The most widely accepted trend is the zero waste production. Every Production House or Studio is taking conscious steps towards appropriate waste management.
Q: As per your expertise and experience in this domain, what factors contribute to environmental degradation in the process of film making and production?
A: Filmmaking is heavy on resource consumption. As a result, we generate a high environmental impact in terms of the fuel usage, travel miles for outdoor shoots, use and throw set materials etc. The greatest problem is when a crew shoots in ecologically sensitive landscapes unknown of their wasteful and harmful practices.
Q: What are the main areas or challenges that need to be addressed?
A: The main critical area is green solutions which are yet not accessible or readily available in India. The studio infrastructure where the shoots tend to happen needs to be upgraded with greener solutions like access to green energy.
Q: What kind of interventions is required to mitigate the impact on the environment? What has been your role in addressing the issue?
A: Sustainable practices and behaviours are only possible with conscious and consistent efforts. Our organization GAME has been a one-stop consulting partner for studios.
From strategy, implementation, communication and reporting, our work is focused on creating real impact on ground by influencing a mindset change within the crew through our trademark engagement activities and workshops. All the projects we work on have dedicated eco-troppers on set responsible for waste management and analysis, carbon reporting, implementing carbon reduction efforts like use of eco font, elimination of single-use plastic etc.
One unique thing that we also do is give back to the location we shoot in. We collaborate with local communities & NGOs to understand the ecological issues they face. We try and carve out green initiatives that are relevant to that particular location and also involve lead actors and crew to be a part of the same. For example, in Ooty we planted Shola Grasslands along with the lead actors and the crew that are native to the region and are deteriorating. This helps in sensitising the actors and rest of the crew. This also instills confidence about the change they can help create.
On an organizational level, we have been closely working with network/studios to look sustainability from a wider lens. To incorporate goals beyond environmental like operational safety, gender diversity, inclusivity and purposeful programming.
Q: Please share the goal and mission of your organization, and how do you propose to educate the film industry on adopting sustainable methods of film making?
A: The goal of GAME is to make 'sustainably made' content a norm in the Indian media and entertainment industry. Our mission is to create a neutral body/association with stakeholders from different studios. This may include a group of leaders who are ready to drive investment and action for the shared benefit of all. For example, driving the conversation with existing studios to upgrade and provide facilities which are in tandem with the green goals of all the productions shooting there. This will put the spotlight on sustainability in a big way. Also, it will then become financially more viable to create bigger bolder greener solutions within the industry. Together we can become the 'sustainability-led screen' industry.
Q: Major Hollywood Production Houses have sustainability consultants on their teams, and have also started their own green initiatives in order to reduce the industry's carbon footprints and environmental impact. Is the Indian film industry also moving in that direction? Please share your observations and thoughts.
A: Yes, the Indian M&E industry is gradually becoming aware of the importance of sustainability consultants and the insights they bring to the table. We are working with various studios/Production Houses in India who are conscious about their impact and are on the journey to create positive change.
Green consultants should be a norm for the industry. Just like you have different departments within the crew like makeup, photography, light & sound, sustainability team is also a crucial addition to the team. They help you drive important decisions at every step of filmmaking. Green consultants also help you with data in terms of fuel, resource consumption, among others. A lot of insights can be derived from these numbers to streamline processes for future productions.
Q: Please share your success stories and roadmap for the future.
A: We have created impact across different segments of the production cycle.
Asset Management - We have carved out a unique asset management process which enables reuse of materials from one show to another and at the same time contributes to the community by donation of items which have lower economic value. This entire process is based on a circular economy.
Waste management - Collectively we have been handing waste management and recycling for numerous shows. We have been successful in recycling close to 20 tons of waste from various categories of production (OTT, Television, Events). A large part of the waste is generated during set construction and dismantling.
A large part of our impact is on the minds which cannot be measured but is demonstrated in action. We invest significant time in culture building and educating crew members which inspires change in their own lifestyles.
From having yoga on set to doing plantation drives with the crew - there are many firsts in our approach to drive sustainability and safety culture on the set.
