Film Production Companies: How to Track Energy and Travel Emissions

Film and TV production companies are fast discovering that sustainability reporting is becoming as important as storytelling. Whether you’re producing commercials, features, or streaming content, your clients, funders, and broadcasters increasingly expect clear data on carbon footprint — especially under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and VSME Standard.

This guide explains how small and medium-sized film production companies can track and report energy and travel emissions using simple, CSRD-aligned methods that fit within tight budgets and shooting schedules. For general emissions guidance, see what counts as Scope 1 vs Scope 2 and the step-by-step guide to Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

1. Why It Matters for Film Productions

Under Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (CSRD), large studios and broadcasters must report their environmental and social impacts. As a result, independent production companies supplying them will be asked for sustainability data — including energy use, transport emissions, and crew travel.

Even if you’re not legally required to report, using the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME) helps your company:

• Win more contracts with CSRD-compliant clients;
• Reduce waste and energy costs on set;
• Improve reputation with funders and festivals.

2. What You Need to Measure

The VSME Basic Module (B3) focuses on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions — the two key factors in production carbon footprints.

3. Step-by-Step: Tracking Energy Use (VSME B3)

Step 1 – Gather Bills and Meter Readings

Start with utility bills for your main office, post-production suite, or studio space. Record:

• Monthly or annual electricity consumption (kWh)
• Any heating fuel (natural gas, heating oil)

If you use temporary generators, note:

• Hours operated and litres of diesel or petrol consumed.

Tip: If generators are hired, request the energy data from the rental company.

Step 2 – Split by Renewable and Non-Renewable

The VSME Standard asks for a breakdown:

Use your electricity provider’s certificates to identify the percentage of renewable energy in your tariff.

Step 3 – Calculate Emissions (Scope 1 & 2)

Use standard conversion factors (for EU, typically from the GHG Protocol or national authorities):

• Scope 1: Fuel used in owned or rented generators and vehicles → multiply litres by emission factor (e.g. diesel ≈ 2.68 kg CO₂/litre)
• Scope 2: Purchased electricity → multiply kWh by national grid emission factor (e.g. 0.231 kg CO₂/kWh in the EU average)

Then calculate GHG intensity:

Total emissions (tCO₂e) ÷ Turnover (€)

This ratio is especially useful for comparing production years or project types.

4. Tracking Travel Emissions (Optional under VSME, Essential for CSRD Clients)

Film and TV productions are travel-intensive — moving cast, crew, and equipment between locations can represent over 60% of total carbon emissions.

Step 1 – Collect Travel Data

Ask your production coordinator or travel agency to record:

Step 2 – Estimate Emissions

Use free tools such as:

• DEFRA or GHG Protocol emission factors
• Albert Calculator (BAFTA) – tailored for film and TV
• Green Production Guide Carbon Calculator

Example:

5 short-haul flights (1,500 km each) × 0.25 kg CO₂/km = 1.9 tCO₂e 2,000 km van hire × 0.21 kg CO₂/km = 0.4 tCO₂e

Step 3 – Record and Report

Add travel emissions to your sustainability report under:

• Scope 3 (Optional) – “Travel and transport emissions”
• Mention if data are estimated or supplier-provided

If you use the VSME Comprehensive Module, this aligns with C3 (GHG Reduction Targets) and C4 (Climate Risks).

5. Using Tools and Templates

Here’s a simple annual tracking template:

For each production, you can scale this down to a per-project report to share with broadcasters or streaming platforms.

6. How to Reduce Emissions on Set

7. Presenting Your Data for Clients or Investors

Your sustainability report (VSME-compliant) can be a simple 2–3 page PDF including:

• Your company details and NACE code (e.g. J59.11 – Motion picture production activities)
• Key sustainability policies
• Annual energy and emission table
• Actions taken and future targets

Example target:

“Reduce generator fuel use by 40% by 2026 through electrification and battery storage.”

8. Linking to CSRD Requirements

Even if your company is not directly covered by CSRD, your disclosures support your clients’ reports. Larger broadcasters and studios must report on:

• Energy consumption and GHG emissions (ESRS E1)
• Workforce and social factors (ESRS S1)
• Value chain emissions (Scope 3)

Providing reliable, verifiable data helps them — and positions your company as a preferred sustainable supplier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do film production companies need to report under CSRD?

Most small film production companies are not directly required to report under CSRD, which applies to large companies (250+ employees, €40M turnover, or €20M assets). However, many production companies need to provide sustainability data to broadcasters, streaming platforms, or investors who are CSRD-compliant. The VSME Standard offers a simplified, voluntary framework for production companies to meet these requirements efficiently.

Check if CSRD applies to your business →

How do I track emissions from generators and equipment on set?

Track fuel consumption from generators using fuel receipts, invoices, or fuel tracking logs. For equipment, track operating hours and power ratings (kW) to estimate energy use. Use standard emission factors (e.g., 2.68 kg CO₂e per litre of diesel) to calculate Scope 1 emissions. Many production companies use simple spreadsheets or production management systems to record fuel and energy use per production, then aggregate for annual reporting.

Can I report per-production emissions separately?

Yes, you can report emissions per production project as well as annual totals. This is useful for sharing with broadcasters or streaming platforms who may request project-level data. Track energy and travel data for each production separately, then aggregate across all productions for your annual VSME report. This allows you to identify which types of productions are most energy-intensive and where efficiency improvements would have the biggest impact.

How do I estimate travel emissions from cast and crew?

Track travel using booking records, expense reports, or travel management systems. For flights, use airline-provided emissions data or standard factors (e.g., 0.255 kg CO₂e/km for domestic flights). For ground transport, use vehicle logs or standard factors (e.g., 0.180 kg CO₂e/km for average cars). Document your methodology and data sources. For VSME reporting, reasonable estimates based on booking data are acceptable if you document your assumptions.

Key Terms

• CSRD – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU 2022/2464)
• VSME – Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (EFRAG, 2024)
• Scope 1 emissions – Direct emissions from fuel use
• Scope 2 emissions – Indirect emissions from purchased electricity
• Scope 3 emissions – Indirect emissions from travel, materials, logistics
• GHG Protocol – Global accounting standard for greenhouse gas emissions
• ESRS – European Sustainability Reporting Standards
• NACE code – EU business activity classification system
• tCO₂e – Tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent

Use our interactive calculator to estimate crew and cast travel emissions for your film or TV production:

The calculator uses standard DEFRA 2024 emission factors and provides a detailed breakdown by travel mode (flights, trains, cars, hotels) with personalized recommendations.