– A new study by the Austrian Film Institute outlines the rapid adoption of green filming practices, offering detailed data on emissions, costs and industry-wide transformation
A new report by the Austrian Film Institute (ÖFI) provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable cinema production in Austria, mapping the evolution and impact of green filming policies between 2021 and 2025. Developed by the organisation’s Green Filming department, the study positions Austria among the leading European countries in integrating environmental standards into national film funding systems.
The Green Filming Report reveals that 82.4% of all cinema productions supported by the ÖFI during the period were carried out in accordance with mandatory sustainability regulations. In total, 169 out of 206 funded projects committed to green filming principles, reflecting the sector’s rapid alignment with environmental targets following the introduction of structured guidelines and obligations.
Designed as a digital and continuously updated tool, the report enables the monitoring and benchmarking of emissions across productions. It forms part of what ÖFI describes as a holistic “Green Funding” system, combining financial incentives with mandatory reporting and detailed data collection on both carbon emissions and associated costs. This approach, referred to as “Institutional Green Film Consultancy”, marks the Austrian Film Institute out as a pioneer among European funding bodies.
The report traces the development of the Green Filming Austria model, which began in 2019 with the launch of a dedicated working group and has since evolved into a comprehensive regulatory and support framework. Key milestones include the introduction of mandatory green reporting in 2022, the implementation of financial incentives such as a green bonus in 2023, and the expansion of criteria to additional production formats and co-productions in subsequent years.
In terms of environmental impact, the study provides detailed benchmarks for greenhouse gas emissions in film production. Average emissions are estimated at 561.18 kg of CO2 equivalent per minute for fiction films and 79.65 kg for documentaries. Based on these figures, the report notes that the annual per-capita emissions of Austria correspond approximately to 14 minutes of a fiction film or 100 minutes of a documentary, highlighting the significant environmental footprint of audiovisual production.
One of the key findings concerns the distribution of emissions sources. Travel and transport emerge as the dominant contributors, accounting for 72.9% of emissions in fiction films and 84.1% in documentaries. Energy use, materials and catering also represent significant factors, prompting the report to call for increased investment in alternative technologies, such as low-emission transport and sustainable energy solutions.
To support data consistency and cross-border collaboration, the ÖFI has adopted a standardised CO2 calculation methodology through the KlimAktiv calculator, developed in partnership with Evergreen Prisma. The tool enables comparable emissions tracking across Austria, Germany, South Tyrol and Switzerland, facilitating greener international co-productions and shared industry benchmarks.
The report also examines the financial implications of sustainable production. It concludes that the additional costs associated with green filming remain relatively limited, averaging 0.5% of total budgets for fiction films and 1.5% for documentaries. These costs are primarily linked to specialised personnel and consultancy, rather than technical infrastructure, and do not increase proportionally with larger budgets.
Since 2021, a total of 1,793 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions have been offset across 50 projects, although the report emphasises that compensation should only complement, rather than replace, direct emission reduction measures. Strict criteria are applied to ensure the quality and credibility of offsetting schemes, in line with international standards.
Commenting on the findings, ÖFI director Roland Teichmann stated, “Green production has been standard practice for us since 2019. This makes us not only a pioneer in environmentally sustainable production, but also a role model for many other European countries.”
Overall, the study underscores the growing importance of sustainability within the audiovisual sector, presenting Austria as a case study in how coordinated policy, industry collaboration and data-driven monitoring can accelerate environmental transformation. The report suggests that continued cooperation at both the national and European levels will be essential for further reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and establishing common standards for green production. You can find all of the necessary information here.
