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BBC and BAFTA announce debut of first ever on-screen ‘green certificate’ - albert+

21 May 2014
Albert+

Danny Cohen, BBC Director of TV, calls on industry to make albert+ the “expected standard for all productions” as BBC’s ‘Springwatch’ and Kudos produced drama ‘From There to Here’ become the first to carry the on-screen certification

The BBC and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) have announced that, for the first time on British television, audiences will be able see which TV programmes meet higher environmental standards by the introduction of a special ‘albert+’ certification badge on the credits.

The debut of the on screen sustainability albert+ badge on two programmes over the next week marks the first step as the BBC and BAFTA lead the industry to a greener, low carbon future.

The albert+ badge will appear on the credits of ‘From There to Here’ a Kudos drama production for BBC One staring Philip Glenister (Life On Mars, Mad Dogs) on Thursday May 22 at 9pm, and ‘Springwatch’, with Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games on on BBC Two, on Monday May 26 at 8pm.

Programmes that achieve albert+ are those where senior staff take a strong lead on sustainability, sharing goals with cast and crew, measuring their carbon footprint and crucially – adopting sufficient low-carbon production techniques to address the overall environmental impact of the programme.

On ‘From There To Here’ sustainability achievements included:

-73% of the crew local to the production base in Manchester
-props and costumes sourced from local charities and returned after filming
-80% drop in paper use, cut achieved by introducing an opt-in policy for call-sheets / schedules / scripts
-travel emissions cut by sharing vehicles, and while in London using 100% low emission taxis, using local crew, local suppliers, and an online system to share rushes and edits to reduce the need to courier DVD’s
-95% of skip waste recycled and eliminating non-biodegradable disposables such as catering supplies and water bottles

On ‘Springwatch’ plans are set to include:

-new technology such as waste vegetable oil and solar powered generators to power the facilities base on location at RSPB Minsmere, to achieve carbon neutral emissions instead of using a diesel generator
-clean technology fuel cells to power remote camera and camera hubs
-suppliers including location caterers to adopt sustainable catering measures, utilising the lowest emission hire cars available
-recycling on-set and in the production office with all disposables reusable or biodegradable

The albert+ assessment criteria was devised at the BBC and has been previously awarded to three other BBC productions; Children’s dramas ‘All At Sea’ and The 4 O’Clock Club’, plus wildlife programme ‘Autumnwatch’. It has been adapted for industry use by the BAFTA Albert Consortium, a group with broad industry representation and expertise spanning media production and sustainable business.

Danny Cohen, BBC Head of Television commented: “The BBC is proud to be an industry pioneer in tackling an issue our audiences care about. We’re delighted to have worked with Kudos to make drama ‘From There To Here’ and on our own BBC Bristol production ‘Springwatch’ - the first productions to show their albert+ badge on screen. We encourage the industry to get on board to make albert+ the expected standard for all productions.”

Kevin Price, BAFTA COO said: “A large piece of the industry’s sustainability puzzle is our unique ability to communicate effectively with audiences – I am delighted the Consortium has taken the first step along this path.”

Alison Barnett, Kudos Head of Production, Kudos said: “‘Kudos are very proud to be the first independent Production Company to achieve the Albert + certification, and to display the stamp on the end card is a signal of our commitment to sustainable production both now, and in the future.’


Further Information

Notes to editors

For further press information contact Rhona de la Mer at BBC Press Office
T 020 800 85888 | E [email protected]

More info on the albert+ assessment process here.
Programme information on ‘From There to Here’ here.
Programme information on ‘Springwatch’ here.


About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, lectures, scholarships and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. For further information, visit www.bafta.org and www.bafta.org/guru.

About BAFTA Albert Consortium

The BAFTA Albert Consortium features some of the UK’s largest production companies and broadcasters. Founded in 2011, the Consortium is the leading think-tank on sustainability for film and television, working to raise the profile of sustainability in the industry, championing sustainable production techniques, and freely providing the tools, guidance and direction needed to reduce the impact of moving-image media production on the environment. The group’s current projects include Albert+, the Albert carbon calculator, Media Greenhouse and a sustainable production module. For more information, visit www.bafta.org/albert.