BAFTA albert has published SPARK: Clean Temporary Power by 2030, the UK film and TV industry’s roadmap for a permanent shift to clean temporary power, accompanied by an industry Statement of Intent to accelerate sustainable screen production practices in energy use.
In 2024, UK productions burned over 3 million litres of fossil fuels in generators, and more than half of all productions relied almost entirely of fossil fuels, according to BAFTA albert.
By making the transition to the clean solutions, as mapped out in SPARK, the industry can reduce emissions, cut air pollution and create quieter, healthier sets without compromising creativity.
SPARK: Clean Temporary Power by 2030 outlines the need to phase out fossil fuels and stand-alone generator use before 2030, transitioning via hybrid generators and hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel, where necessary, and to phase in grid power, battery solutions and other clean technologies, to make meaningful environmental changes.
SPARK has identified three pillars of action that will guide the film and TV industry’s transition to clean temporary power by 2030.
These are “reduce” (cut energy demand and emissions through efficient planning and equipment), “retool” (upgrade infrastructure and technology for clean power), and “reskill” (equip teams with knowledge and training to plan, budget, and operate clean power solutions).
Developed in 2025 through research and consultation with industry stakeholders, energy experts and validated by independent experts from Imperial College London (via Imperial Consultants), SPARK is accompanied by the industry Statement of Intent signed by BAFTA albert, BBC, BBC Studios, BFI, Channel 4, Fremantle, ITV, ITV Studios, Netflix, Pact, Sky, UKTV and Universal International Studios.
The Statement of Intent reads: “The UK film and TV industry faces an imperative: to modernise its operations, and in doing so, seize the opportunity to tackle a significant source of our emissions.
“For decades, the standard practice of using fossil fuel generators to power productions has been among the most environmentally damaging aspects of film and TV production, directly contributing to carbon emissions, noise pollution and poor air quality.
“We share a unified vision to achieve Clean Temporary Power by 2030. This vision is about creating a better, more efficient, and more sustainable future for screen production in the UK.”
Speaking of the importance of clean temporary power and the industry’s unified vision, the head of industry sustainability for BAFTA albert, April Sotomayor, said: “The climate crisis demands urgent action, and our industry has both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead.
“Support of SPARK signals the beginning of a collective movement as organisations ranging from broadcasters, media and production companies, suppliers and others not only support SPARK but internalise its recommendations to enable change.
“We expect many others to sign the Statement of Intent as the campaign grows and accelerates industry-wide action.”
Matt Scarff, BAFTA albert’s managing director, added: “The first tranche of signatures on the Clean Temporary Power by 2030 Industry Statement of Intent is testament to how seriously the UK film and TV industry takes its responsibility to produce sustainable screen content.
“To see this level of collaboration from our members – and commitment to momentum around clean temporary power – is incredible.”
Rob Howard, EVP, Universal International Studios, stated: “Universal International Studios is proud to stand alongside our industry partners in committing to a cleaner, more resilient future for production in the UK.
“SPARK, together with our internal sustainable production programme, gives us an actionable and ambitious pathway to reduce our environmental impact, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver cost savings without compromising the creativity or scale of our work.
“By embracing cleaner power solutions, we’re sharing in the industry’s unified vision and helping to build a more sustainable industry for the years ahead.”
More information is available on the BAFTA albert website.
