The Animation Industry’s Green Awakening

The animation industry has been a silent polluter, its environmental impact masked by the whimsical worlds and characters it brings to life on screen. A new certification program, ANiMPACT, is about to shine a spotlight on the sector’s ecological footprint.

For years, live-action films have had their own environmental report cards through programs like Green Film and Ecoprod’s Carbon Clap calculator. Animation studios, however, have been left in the dark, unable to prove their commitment to sustainability or access financial incentives that come with it. This gap is about to be bridged by ANiMPACT, a joint initiative between CineRegio, Ecoprod, and Green Film.

The impetus for this project came from Luca Ferrario, who runs the Trentino Film Commission and helped develop both Green Film and ANiMPACT. “Animation was kind of left behind in environmental discussions,” he said in an interview. With animation accounting for a significant portion of the film industry, it’s no longer acceptable to ignore its environmental cost.

Measuring the impact of animation is complex, made more difficult by the fact that a single project often involves multiple studios, countries, and vendors. The existing tools are inadequate, and Ferrario’s team had to develop a new standard from scratch. This process has been ongoing for two years, with over 100 organizations in 18 countries contributing feedback.

The certification system focuses on seven broad areas: company governance, office energy use, digital workflow, travel, food, merchandise, and communication about sustainability. Studios can be assessed as individual projects or companies, and each standard is weighted by its environmental impact.

One striking aspect of ANiMPACT is its emphasis on electricity consumption. Computers account for roughly half a typical production’s environmental impact, with the rest coming from factors like equipment lifespan, data storage, and travel. This highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence in animation production and raises questions about its own environmental cost.

The certification system offers financial incentives, as well as reduced emissions. A growing number of public film funds offer rewards for productions that can prove their environmental responsibility. This shift has already changed how live-action productions are budgeted and planned, and organizers expect the same to happen in animation.

Certification is not just a moral imperative; it’s also good business sense. As Ferrario said, “Many funds require certification or give incentives for certification at regional, national, and European levels.” A real certification requires an outside auditor to verify the work, rather than just relying on self-reported claims.

The animation industry’s green awakening is long overdue. With ANiMPACT leading the way, it’s time for studios and producers to take responsibility for their environmental impact. As the sector continues to grow and evolve, so too must its commitment to sustainability.