Sustainable Screens Australia has announced 16 businesses and industry organisations which have come on board as seed funders and foundational members.
The initiative seeks to address the need to reduce the screen industry’s environmental impact with the mission to “[put] the planet in the picture so that our future is in the frame”. It said its ultimate goal is to create a behavioural shift across the industry towards more environmentally responsible practices that align with science-based targets.
Broadcasters and streamers ABC, SBS, Netflix and Paramount ANZ (owner of Paramount Plus and Network 10) lead the line-up of supporters, which also includes screen agencies Screen NSW, Vic Screen, Screen Queensland and Screen Tasmania, production companies BBC Studios, CJZ, Dreamchaser, Film Art Media, Matchbox Pictures, and Regen Studios, the Docklands Studios and Shark Island Foundation.
Sustainable Screens Australia said thanks to the support of the seed funders, it would be able to launch to the wider industry as a member-based organisation in early 2023. The member-based funding structure will then support its initiatives into the future.
In addition, Moneypenny is providing pro-bono accountancy services, Shift and Company is helping pro-bono with legal and Nixco with public relations.
Anna Kaplan and Sara Horn, co-chairs of Sustainable Screens Australia, said: “We are thrilled to be launching this vital initiative with the backing of such an influential cohort of foundational members. It’s immensely encouraging to see the screen industry putting sustainability and carbon reduction squarely on the agenda. We look forward to supporting the industry to reduce our collective environmental impact and respond to climate change with the urgency it demands.”
The ABC and SBS said they were pleased to partner with Sustainable Screens Australia to make the industry more sustainable, while Network 10 said it was proud to be the first commercial broadcaster to come on board.