Green Frame’s mission is to reduce the environmental impact of producing and financing television and film in Canada.
September 23, 2024 – Canada’s most significant Crown corporations, federally funded organizations and CRTC mandated screen-based content funds have formed a new coalition called “Green Frame” which strives to reduce the environmental impact of Canadian TV and film production. Green Frame will collaborate and encourage sustainability throughout a production’s lifecycle – starting from when a piece of content is commissioned to when it is produced, financed and distributed.
Spearheaded by CBC/Radio-Canada, the group is made up of the the Bell Fund, the Black Screen Office, the Broadcasting Accessibility Fund, the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators, the Canada Media Fund, the Independent Production Fund, the Indigenous Screen Office, the National Film Board of Canada, the Shaw Rocket Fund and Telefilm Canada.
Green Frame aims to move the needle on the industry’s sustainability progress through harmonizing our actions so that creators and producers are better equipped to implement new sustainable practices. Green Frame will:
- collaborate on guidelines, requirements, tools, best practices and training, where appropriate, to make sustainable content creation, production and distribution more impactful, easier, faster, and less costly;
- share and leverage resources to support industry research, joint initiatives and information exchange;
- engage underrepresented communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change including Indigenous peoples, Black people, People of Colour, Persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQIA+communities; and
- expand its network of collaborators both inside and outside of Canada to learn and share learnings about sustainability and build towards more impactful change.
In addition to the above goals, each member of Green Frame has committed to a set of initial actions including for each organization to generate its own corporate sustainability plan, to work together and share publicly available carbon calculator results and sustainability plans, and to collaborate annually on how to accelerate the decarbonization of production through current and future incentives; common requirements and/or minimums.
To ensure maximum impact and minimum overlap, Green Frame will collaborate with other industry coalitions that are committed to advancing sustainability including Canadian Broadcasters for Sustainability, Producing for the Planet, Reel Green, Ontario Creates and On Tourne Vert.
“How we produce our series and films matters as much as what we produce. That’s why I’m delighted that 10 of Canada’s most prominent screen organizations have joined CBC/Radio-Canada in committing to work together to reduce our industry’s environmental footprint. Together, we’re going to make a real impact in making our industry more sustainable.”
— Catherine Tait, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada
Watch the introductory video here.
Quotes
“We’re proud to join the Green Frame initiative, working alongside fellow screen organizations to champion sustainability and reduce our environmental impact. By uniting our efforts, we’re not only fostering a greener industry, but also securing a healthier future for our children.” — Agnes Augustin, President & CEO, Shaw Rocket Fund
“Sustainability and accessibility are clearly integrated as pivotal, achievable objectives in ensuring a future that is environmentally strong and equitable for all Canadians regardless of ability. Green Frame is a vital initiative in this critical journey.” — Richard Cavanagh, CEO, Broadcasting Accessibility Fund
“In the same way we support our country’s storytellers, we also have a responsibility to protect the world in which their stories are told. Through Green Frame, we are forging a united path toward sustainable production, ensuring that our industry’s environmental practices evolve as dynamically as our content.” — Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund
“The Bell Fund encourages all applicants to undertake measures to reduce their carbon footprint. We are thrilled to join the Green Frame initiative. Through collaboration with other leaders and organizations, we will advance the change that is needed to continue to foster amazing stories and projects, while reducing the industry’s environmental impact.” — Marcia Douglas, Executive Director, Bell Fund
“The NFB is honoured to be part of this important collaboration between national film institutions, and remains committed to reducing the environmental impact of its activities. By working together, we hope to accelerate our collective effort to make our industry more sustainable.” — Suzanne Guèvremont, Commissioner & President, National Film Board of Canada
“Green Frame marks a crucial step toward sustainable storytelling in Canada. By uniting our industry, we can significantly reduce our environmental impact and ensure that all voices, especially those from underrepresented communities, contribute to a greener future for content creation.” — Joan Jenkinson, CEO, Black Screen Office
“CISF is pleased to be a part of Green Frame and looks forward to working with our industry colleagues to learn about, share, and encourage best practices to ensure the environmental sustainability of our sector in a way that is equitable for all.” — Sally Lee, Executive Director, Canadian Independent Screen Fund for Black and People of Colour Creators
“The screen content industry is embracing a bold shift towards reducing its environmental impact. With Green Frame, we are uniting to drive this change. Telefilm remains committed to this transformative journey—standing together, building partnerships, and sharing knowledge to drive real, lasting change — setting the future for the next generation of creators. By harmonizing our efforts and supporting one another, we facilitate the seamless integration of innovation and sustainability within our industry.” — Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO, Telefilm Canada
“The scale of the climate crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. The IPF is excited to work with Green Frame and the other screen industry organizations who share our goal of supporting stories that reflect the world we live in, while minimizing the emissions impact of how those stories are made. Together we are stronger.” — Mark Shapland, Associate Manager and Climate Lens Facilitator, Independent Production Fund
“This collaboration presents a valuable opportunity for the ISO to partner with key industry organizations that share a commitment to promoting environmentally sustainable practices at every stage of production. Green Frame aligns with the ISO’s mandate and the values of Indigenous communities” — Kerry Swanson, CEO, Indigenous Screen Office
