Case study: Locate Productions

Locate Productions is aiming to reach net zero, and to do this felt that a working culture and business approach with sustainability at its core was key, rather than ‘business as usual’ with some elements of sustainability bolted on. The organisation’s approach seeks to reduce carbon emissions as far as possible, before using carbon removal schemes to sequester the rest.  

 Some of the initiatives Locate Productions have implemented to reduce direct and indirect CO2 emissions from productions include:  

• Recycling on shoots (and in the office). 
• Providing staff with carbon literacy training through the albert scheme and engaging with albert events and tools. 
• Vegetarian menus on set, with each vegetarian meal emitting approximately 0.86kg of CO2, 14 times less CO2 than a beef-based meal, 2 times less CO2 than a pork-based meal, and 1.8 times less than a chicken-based meal.  
• Lower emissions travel – earlier this year one of their producers travelled to Madrid via train rather than plane, emitting approximately 11kg of CO2e rather than 200kg CO2e. 

• Sequestering carbon by adding an optional 1% For The Planet to invoices, which goes towards biodiversity projects – at present planting trees in Romania with Forests Without Frontiers. This has led to approximately 2531 trees being planted in the last 6 months alone, sequestering 101 tonnes CO2 (using European estimates per hectare).  
• Switching energy through albert’s Creative Energy scheme. This saves the company about 3.205 tonnes of CO2e per year.  
• Looking to launch a Re-use & Recycle Wardrobe Store, reducing the need for stylists to repeat buy new clothes for each shoot. 

A sustainability centred approach has been good for business by generating new contacts and helping to maintain existing clients. It has also created a positive working environment among core staff and freelancers by improving sense of purpose and meaning, and cementing a community of like-minded production personnel.