A new report from the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance (SEA) highlights how clean power, electric vehicles, and smart infrastructure are helping film and television productions reduce carbon emissions with Vancouver featured as a real-world example of what is possible.

The Carbon Emissions of Film & Television Production 2023–2024 report benchmarks emissions across hundreds of global productions and finds that while fuel remains the industry’s largest source of emissions, access to low‑carbon electricity can significantly reduce a production’s footprint. Canadian cities such as Vancouver benefit from cleaner grids powered by hydroelectricity, resulting in substantially lower utility-related emissions compared to many U.S. locations.

The report spotlights Netflix’s VIRGIN RIVER Season 6, filmed in Vancouver in 2024, as a case study in fleet electrification. The production became Netflix’s first to deploy all‑electric 5‑ton trucks, alongside electric SUVs, cargo vans, and pickup trucks. Cast and crew relied on Vancouver’s public DC fast‑charging network, supported by temporary on‑site chargers at studio facilities.

In total, the production used 16 electric vehicles, saving 8,873 litres (2,344 gallons) of fuel. The case study demonstrates how Vancouver’s existing charging infrastructure and clean electricity can enable large‑scale emissions reductions without disrupting production schedules.

SEA’s findings reinforce that location matters, as access to cleaner electricity grids can significantly reduce production emissions. As the industry continues to decarbonize, Vancouver’s combination of clean power, charging infrastructure, and experienced production ecosystem positions the city as a leader in environmentally sustainable film and television production.

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