Eco-production
What is eco-production?
This involves taking action to reduce the environmental impact of the production of a film or audiovisual work.
The aim is to contribute to the national effort to reduce carbon footprints, to which France committed at COP 21 in 2015.
It also means adopting appropriate behaviors to preserve resources (which are becoming increasingly scarce) and natural environments (which are becoming increasingly fragile).
Implementing eco-production measures means changing long-standing working habits. This therefore requires particular attention to the human factor and the implementation of effective change management.
By extension, eco-production is often associated with broader RSE (Corporate Social Responsibility) issues, RSE referring to companies' contribution to sustainable development challenges (see information from the Ministry of Economy and Finance on French RSE).
An incentive-based regulatory framework
A number of obligations require concrete consideration of the implementation of eco-production measures.
1. Sector-specific regulations via the CNC: mandatory carbon footprint reporting
Any project applying for CNC funding must provide a provisional carbon footprint assessment at the very beginning of production, followed by a final assessment upon completion.
This carbon footprint indicates the number of tons of carbon emitted by the project (measured in tCO2e) as well as the breakdown of emissions according to major emission sources.
This obligation should not reduce eco-production to the creation of tables and reports. Data collection is certainly important for measuring carbon footprints, but the ultimate goal is to implement actions that will tangibly reduce environmental impact.
To establish the carbon footprint, several calculators have been approved by the CNC. The calculators to be used are specific to the type of project being manufactured (refer to the CNC dedicated webpage ).
Tip: When you start calculating carbon footprints, it is not easy to judge whether the results obtained mean that the project is within acceptable standards or not.
Data collection, which began in January 2024, now provides an idea of the average carbon impact per project type and shows how this impact is distributed among the various emission sources.
For more information on this subject, see the report " Carbon’Clap and Ecoprod Label 2024 ».
2. National regulations
• Since January 1, 2024, there has been a legal obligation to sort bio-waste at source.
See the Ministry of Ecological Transition website.
Requires the mandatory implementation of waste sorting on film sets.
By extension, we need to consider how to reduce waste production as early as possible
(ARRR approach: “Avoid / Reduce / Repair / Recycle”).
• The implementation of LEZ (Low Emission Zones) :
Requires consideration of mobility issues, attempting to reduce travel as much as possible and, when travel is necessary, favoring sustainable modes of transportation (walking, cycling, public transportation) as much as possible.
If vehicles are necessary, favor lower-carbon engines (electric, hybrid).
• Increasing restrictions on the use of generators in cities: use temporary connections, electrical generators and/or small mobile electrical units as much as possible, as well as equipment powered directly by batteries.
• Strengthening of environmental protection laws and penalties for damage (see Title VII of Law No. 2021-1104 of August 22, 2021 on combating climate change and strengthening resilience to its effects).
Requires special attention for shoots located in natural environments.
A very detailed process has been developed by EcoProd (see the fact sheet " Filming in natural environments »).
3. International regulations
In the context of international co-productions and executive productions, reporting and eco-production measures may be required.
This is particularly the case with American platforms (PEAR calculator and PEACH+ Green Production Guide reference system) and Anglo-Saxon projects (Albert calculator in the United Kingdom).
Co-productions between European countries are also increasingly affected. National financial aid is regularly linked to compliance with regulatory requirements related to eco-production (check with your co-producers).
Working methodology
1. Some fundamental principles
The more eco-production is considered upstream, the more virtuous approaches can be deployed throughout all stages of a project:
- considering eco-production from the script stage (environmental reading, inclusion of ecological topics, etc.) through to the promotion of the work (use of sustainable transport) and its distribution (choice of appropriate digital formats).
- Start thinking about eco-production as early as possible in the preparation phase:
Sufficient preparation time allows for more successful implementation of concrete and impactful actions.
- Gain the support of as many team members as possible, with the commitment of three key stakeholders essential to full success:
- production
- the director
- talents
These players serve as role models, and without their support, it can be difficult to implement eco-production measures that go beyond purely accounting considerations.
Tip: Consult the eco-friendly construction guide (Ecoprod design / SRF) to gain a concrete understanding of the approach from a practical standpoint.
- initiate an eco-production approach that is not hierarchical but cross-functional, collegial, and participatory
- encourage everyone to get involved in promoting general well-being at work.
2. The 5 steps of the eco-production methodology
a. Project impact analysis: at each stage of manufacturing, understand its carbon footprint and its impact on resources and biodiversity.
b. Definition of an eco-production strategy: identify 2 or 3 priority objectives based on the impact analysis carried out.
c. Developing the action plan: working with station managers to define the measures to be implemented and the means of action (roadmap).
d. Implementation of the action plan: overseeing the process and team involvement, and adapting actions to the realities of filming and post-production as necessary.
e. Assessment and promotion of the initiative: evaluate the actions implemented (quantitative and qualitative assessments) and communicate the results to the teams, financial partners, local authorities, and all stakeholders involved in the film.
Tip: It is highly recommended to use the repository of the EcoProd label to develop your roadmap, even if you are not aiming to obtain the label.
The list of criteria for the Label provides a blueprint for working on eco-production issues.
Supporting eco-friendly production
1. A new profession
In recent years, a new profession has emerged, now officially known as “eco-production coordinator.” This person is appointed for a specific mission: to define an eco-production strategy and support the implementation of all related actions.
Nota bene : The term “eco-representative” now refers to a team member who, in addition to their regular duties, agrees to take on certain eco-production tasks (data collection, awareness raising, monitoring the proper implementation and effectiveness of actions, etc.).
For greater clarity in job titles, the terms “eco-manager” and “eco-production manager” will be phased out.
Tip: If you wish to hire an eco-production coordinator and while waiting for this position to be included in the collective agreement for the film industry (negotiations are ongoing), it is recommended that you integrate them into the production team as a production assistant rather than assigning them to the stage management team.
Rather than being likened to a stage manager who would also be responsible for managing eco-production, they will be integrated into the production CSR team and their priority will no longer be stage management but overall responsibility for supporting eco-production initiatives. This does not prevent the eco-production coordinator from occasionally reinforcing the stage management team, if availability allows.
2. Choosing eco-production support
There are several possibilities for implementing eco-production measures:
a. Manage the process internally, relying on existing teams, without additional recruitment.
Limitation: it is often difficult to take eco-production measures very far due to a lack of available time.
b. Hire an eco-production coordinator to oversee the implementation of eco-production. Depending on the resources available, the specific characteristics of the project (filming in natural environments, large number of extras, number of sets, etc.) and the scope of the desired actions, this person may be hired on a full-time or part-time basis.
Part-time work is often adequate during the preparation period.
Full-time work may be possible on set if the person has a heavy workload and/or if they can occasionally come in to support the set crews.
This recruitment choice allows for autonomous and individualized management of the measures that one wishes to implement.
c. Outsource eco-production to an external service provider
Two major players are currently present on the market:
The scope of the service and the responsibilities entrusted shall be defined on a case-by-case basis with the chosen service provider.
Warning: EcoProd is not a service provider, it is an association. It provides a range of advice and resources but does not replace production in the implementation of its eco-production initiatives.
Tips: If possible, we believe it is important to have someone specifically dedicated to managing eco-production.
Without an eco-production coordinator, there is a risk of not being able to design truly impactful actions and of focusing solely on data collection, which is certainly time-consuming but ultimately represents only a purely quantitative aspect of a film's eco-production (measuring its carbon footprint).
Furthermore, we believe it is more appropriate to recruit internally to manage eco-production rather than delegating responsibility to a service provider.
3. Additional tools to support eco-production
a. Training courses
To fully understand and master eco-production topics, it is recommended that individuals seek training and encourage team training.
You can find several training proposals on the EcoProd website.
Nota bene : The percentage of team members who have undergone training is one of the criteria for obtaining the CNC's CSR+ bonus.
b. Dedicated software
Numerous computer tools are being developed to assist with data collection.
The most comprehensive software available today is undoubtedly THE GREEN SHOT. It integrates the parameters of several calculators from different organizations and countries, making it easy to compile the data required by each calculator.
See the website of THE GREEN SHOT.
c. Databases
They can be useful for contacting eco-advisors and/or eco-responsible suppliers:
ACCEPTE (Association of Eco-Production Coordinators for Ecological Transition (website under construction)).
EcoProd Directory of eco-referents.
Directory of service providers.
Locally, it may also be useful to contact regional film offices.
Supporting websites and collectives
They can provide various tips, guides, advice, and practical information sheets for implementing eco-production measures:
• EcoProd
A very comprehensive website offering numerous practical information sheets organized by department.
• The collectif CUT
• The collectif LES TOILES VERTES
The financial challenges of eco-production
1. The cost of eco-production
The subject is inevitably sensitive, since hiring someone or engaging a service provider to manage eco-production represents an additional budget item.
On average, it has been established that the cost of eco-production is between 0 and 1% of a budget. Truly working towards eco-production means promoting greater restraint in purchasing and spending. Furthermore, if the approach is well planned, we are convinced that the additional human cost required for eco-production is offset by savings made in other budget areas. At the very least, the project would have the same cost (compared to a budget where no eco-production measures had been taken); at best, its overall cost could be reduced, with the added bonus of measurable social and environmental benefits.
Furthermore, financial incentives that can offset the “overinvestment” sometimes generated by eco-production must now also be taken into account.
2. Financial incentives for eco-friendly production
For several years now, bonuses have been awarded to projects that meet certain eco-production criteria. This is the case in the Ile-de-France and Corsica regions.
These measures are becoming more widespread, and in France, two new incentives came into effect in 2025:
a. The CNC's RSE+ bonus
This grant is a fixed amount of €28,000 per project. It is currently limited to feature-length fiction films and audiovisual productions (including series).
It is granted upon completion of the project if it has complied with levels 1 and 2 of the AFNOR Spec reference criteria.
For details on the terms and conditions of the RSE + bonus, please refer to the CNC website.
This page also provides details of the obligations associated with AFNOR certification.
b. The Cofiloisirs bonus
Until 2030, Cofiloisirs will award a €20,000 grant to five projects per year.
The winning projects will be selected based on the highest scores obtained in the EcoProd label.
For details on the terms and conditions of this bonus, please refer to the website at Cofiloisirs.
(File updated in January 2026)
