As Hollywood productions decamp to Atlanta, London, Vancouver, and beyond—lured by generous tax incentives—the Hollywood production environmental impact quietly escalates.
While studios save millions, cast and crew shuttle back and forth across continents on weekends and days off, dramatically inflating carbon emissions beyond the on‐set footprint.
“For those of us who have families and animals…there’s a lot of extra footprint going on,” says Wendie Malick, who commutes between Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, and Vancouver this season.
Below, we break down how relocating shoots amplifies carbon emissions, why it matters, and what the industry can do to reduce its environmental toll.
Air Travel: The Largest Single Emission Source
The Sustainable Entertainment Alliance reported in 2021 that 24% of a tentpole film’s carbon emissions stem from air travel alone—excluding personal commutes on days off. When productions move entirely out of L.A., this figure skyrockets.
- Vancouver vs. Los Angeles: Earth Angel estimates a 20-week shoot in Vancouver with five cast members flying business class home each weekend produces 87.4 metric tons of CO₂ from flights and 16.5 metric tons from high-end accommodations—totaling 103.9 metric tons, or over six times an average American’s annual carbon footprint.
- Average Miles Flown: In 2024, L.A. long-form productions flew about 126,367 miles, whereas comparable shoots abroad logged a staggering 1,364,775 miles per production.
These figures underscore the massive Hollywood production environmental impact that often goes unaccounted for in cost-saving analyses.
Personal Commutes Exacerbate the Problem
Actors and crew members rarely relocate permanently. Instead, they return home to Los Angeles for weekends, holidays, or to care for family. Emmy-nominated environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. recounts driving to Albuquerque instead of flying for Better Call Saul—but admits that weekend obligations frequently force him onto planes.
“People want to be with their families on Thanksgiving… That’s something I try to avoid, but once in a while I’ve got to do it,” he says.
These personal commutes add layers of emissions on top of the production’s baseline, further magnifying the Hollywood production environmental impact.
Beyond Flights: Local Infrastructure and Energy Use
Relocating shoots also shifts the burden of sustainable technology. California offers robust access to electric vehicles and clean generators, but these infrastructures can be scarce or unfamiliar elsewhere:
- Vehicle Availability: California’s fleets increasingly feature EVs, while rental lots in other jurisdictions may lack clean alternatives.
- Generator Technology: Battery-powered systems are gaining ground in L.A., but crews abroad often default to diesel generators, amplifying carbon output and local air pollution.
- Workforce Training: Introducing new green technologies requires skilled technicians—a resource that may not exist in every filming hub.
Sustainable Entertainment Alliance executive director Sam Read emphasizes that without local support for EVs and battery systems, productions default to less eco-friendly power sources, deepening the industry’s environmental impact.
Economic vs. Environmental Incentives
“Studios aren’t prioritizing environmental impact,” Wendie Malick observes. “It all comes down to the bottom line—profits for shareholders.” Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent expansion of California tax incentives aims to counteract the exodus, but environmental bonuses remain scarce.
Environmental Media Association CEO Debbie Levin urges a new approach:
“Maybe the answer is to legitimately put in an incentive for sustainability—reward productions that minimize carbon footprints.”
Such measures could compel studios to weigh ecological costs alongside financial savings.
Potential Solutions to Mitigate Impact
- Hybrid Shooting Models
- Split production between L.A. and remote locations to reduce frequent long-haul flights.
- Green Travel Policies
- Prioritize EV rentals for local commutes and consolidate cast travel to limit round trips.
- Carbon Offsets & Audits
- Mandate carbon accounting for every production and invest in verified offset programs.
- Local Crew Engagement
- Hire and train local technicians in sustainable technologies to minimize generator emissions.
- Extended Shoot Blocks
- Schedule longer continuous shoots overseas to reduce the number of return trips.
By integrating these strategies, the industry can begin to curb its outsized Hollywood production environmental impact.
Conclusion
The migration of film and television production out of Southern California carries hidden environmental costs that deserve equal consideration alongside fiscal incentives. As Wendie Malick and Ed Begley Jr. testify, the human desire for home and family ties drives thousands of extra flights—placing Hollywood squarely among the world’s major carbon contributors.
To truly reconcile economic ambition with ecological stewardship, the industry must embed sustainability into its incentive structures and production planning. Only then can Hollywood safeguard both its future and the planet’s.
This article first appeared in the April 2025 Sustainability issue of The Hollywood Reporter.
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