20/09/2024 – The study lists five key recommendations, urging the entire industry to act immediately, as decisions taken today will apply to the next full investment cycle
This article is available in English.
On 19 September, Film London and Creative Zero unveiled a new report taking an in-depth look at decarbonising supplier transport and mobile power for London’s film and TV industry. The document, launched as part of The Fuel Projectand supported by Netflix and Sky, includes key recommendations for industry action in the London Metropolitan area, in the hope that findings can be shared across the UK and beyond. In detail, it offers the industry an insight into what a just transition to decarbonised vehicle and mobile power technologies might look like.
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The study highlights five key recommendations. The first is to finance the ecological transition. “To decarbonise, the total cost of ownership to London’s suppliers would rise from £39 million in 2023, to £54 million in 2030, to £63 million in 2040. This is a £12.2 million average additional annual spend across the fleet transition period. These costs cover the direct investment in the low-emission technology, but further additional spend towards infrastructure and new facilities will also be needed,” reads the report.
The authors suggest acting immediately, “as decisions made today will last the next full investment cycle”, specifically 6-12 years. Therefore, the sector should push for additional government backing for asset and infrastructure investment. Internally, innovative sector-based grants, insetting, long-term lease agreements, loans between clients and suppliers, and increases in existing hire costs may all offer potential solutions.
“Currently, expectations around existing production hire models, which do not charge for these technologies, encourage discounts, and client-specific deals may be undermining investment.” Thus, “ensuring that production budget models value energy responsibly is necessary to create this change”.
The second recommendation is to plan for infrastructure. Specifically, London’s vehicle and mobile power unit fleets will need on-site refuelling and recharging infrastructure to allow for the transition to battery and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). Suppliers without the ability to install infrastructure now should look to engage with necessary stakeholders and local communities to secure facilities that allow for the installation of decarbonisation infrastructure within the next five years. The report also suggests engaging “with external sectors, such as the electric vehicle charging sector”.
The third recommendation reads: “Electrification first, HVO second.” The report explains that 20% of supplier vehicles could be electric by the end of 2025 without affecting investment cycles. Meanwhile, doubling up on battery mobile power units would offer sufficient energy capacity for 98% of production use cases. This means that HVO should only be used when electrification isn’t possible.
Next, the study recommends developing an individual fleet strategy. Each business must craft its own strategy for achieving decarbonisation within expected industry timelines. Such a strategy should be built on robust real-world data, such as those from telematics and power monitoring software, alongside engagement with workers.
Finally, the fifth recommendation is to explore new business models. “Collective industry action is needed, including new ways of working,” the report underscores. It also lists a few bullet points worth considering: battery swapping models may offer a low-carbon, low-pollution business opportunity; second-life batteries from the electric vehicle sector could offer lower prices and more circularity, reducing the negative impacts of mining and manufacturing; and partnering with public electric vehicle charging to unlock mobile power unit charging hubs as well as long-term lease agreements could give suppliers the investment confidence they need to choose low-carbon technologies.
Commenting on the study, Daniela Kirchnerchief operating officer of Film London, said: “The coming years will witness an energy transition the likes of which has not been seen since the end of the 19th century. As the capital strives for clean air, we hope this research can have a positive and meaningful impact on the decarbonisation of vehicles and mobile power units, in turn demonstrating once again how our industry can lead by example.”
Roxy Ericksonsustainable business consultant at Creative Zero, added: “The collaboration and cooperation exhibited by those who took part in this project begin to exemplify the type of effort needed across the industry to create a healthy future for it in the capital. Not just the partnership between ourselves and Film London, nor the support from Netflix and Sky, but equally the suppliers, producers and commissioners coming together to support the data. This level of working together, often across competitors, leaves us in good stead for hitting net zero within a time frame that is just and necessary. We are excited that this report begins to map out just how possible that is.”
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