Film and TV consortium for sustainability and part of BAFTA, albert, has released its Studio Sustainability report, with Sky Studios Elstree and TBY2 both receiving ‘Outstanding’ ratings.

The report looked at studio sustainability data from across the world, with Sky Studios Elstree gaining an overall score of 95% and Bottle Yard 93%; the two studios were the only two to receive this highest possible rating out of the 29 participating facilities.

Sky Studios Elstree is powered by 100% renewable energy, the majority of which comes from three acres of solar panels across the studio’s rooftops. Other eco credentials include rainwater harvesting, LED lighting, EV charging points and an all-electric operations vehicle fleet.

Film and TV productions that are using the studios are supported, to ensure they make sustainable choices. The team can track waste volumes down to the kg, separated by production, department and location on site.

The Bottle Yard Studios’ TBY2 received a score of 93%, the highest awarded to a ‘medium sized studio’. The ‘Outstanding’ rating takes TBY2 up two bands from last year’s ‘Very Good’.

Sustainable features at TBY2 include a building management system that controls built-in heating, cooling and ventilation in all stages, whilst optimising energy conservation. TBY2 also houses a 1MW solar array funded by Bristol Energy Cooperative, believed to be the largest community-owned rooftop PV installation in the UK and one of the biggest solar arrays on any UK studio.

Consisting of 2,380 panels, the array is capable of generating enough energy to power more than 250 average households annually, saving nearly 200 tonnes of CO2 per year.

In addition, The Bottle Yard Studios’ main site was also submitted to the scheme for the first time this year, achieving a ‘Very Good’ rating.

Laura Aviles, head of film (Bristol City Council), said: “We are extremely proud that The Bottle Yard’s TBY2 facility is one of the highest performing studios in this year’s BAFTA albert Studio Sustainability Standard and equally pleased that our main site has now joined the scheme.”

The Studio Sustainability Standard is a global, voluntary scheme designed by BAFTA albert and Arup to help studios measure and reduce the environmental impact of their facilities. The scorecard takes a holistic approach and assesses studios based on their impacts and policies across six themes; climate, circularity, nature, people, management and data.

Matt Scarff, managing director, BAFTA albert, said: “The Studio Sustainability Standard is not only a unique climate assessment for studios but is innovative in that the participating studios have put climate action above commercial needs to help each other progress towards net zero. For the past two years, we have seen how the studios have come together to share best practices. I am hopeful that this collaboration indicates a positive future towards decarbonisation for the industry.”

For more on UK Studios around the nations and regions, take a look at our UK World of Studios 2024. To secure a place in the next edition, email Sarah or Alex.