CBC Independent Producers

Canadians view the environment as one of the most important issues facing our world. As Canada’s public broadcaster, CBC has a duty to be part of the solution and do everything we can to keep our environmental impact to a minimum.

Following the historic UN Climate Change Conference COP26, CBC is taking a leading role in advancing sustainable practices within the Canadian media industry by introducing a new carbon footprint requirement for all original Canadian English-language productions. The new requirement builds on the national public broadcaster’s five-year environmental sustainability strategy, Greening Our Story, which was released in June 2021.

Since January 3, 2022, CBC has required the completion and delivery of a carbon footprint on all original Canadian productions from independent producers with budgets over $400,000 using albert, a film and television industry tool that calculates the carbon emissions of productions. CBC was the first media company in Canada to use albert, first using it this past spring to complete a carbon footprint for the CBC Kids’ in-house production, Gary’s Magic Fort. More recently, CBC has expanded use of the calculator on additional in-house productions including Family Feud Canada, Marketplace, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and will accelerate the pace at which in-house productions need to deliver carbon footprints in 2023.

To further accelerate climate action both in front of and behind the camera, the CBC also requires programs that are in the development stage to complete a Sustainability Checklist. The checklist encourages content creators to incorporate environmentally-conscious thinking as early as possible. It highlights opportunities for climate storytelling and sustainable production practices, and invites content creators to suggest their own ideas. Tailored versions of the Sustainability Checklist are available for all scripted, unscripted, and documentary projects, and are contractually required as of October 1, 2022.

For more information on Why Green production is important, and resources to help support Canadian independent producers with their transition to more sustainable production, please visit the Business & Rights Green Production information page.