How to decarbonize audiovisual production

Blackbird has published the study in favor of sustainability Decarbonize video production, carried out with the environmental consulting firm Green Element.

As more average companies measure their carbon footprint and map out roadmaps to reach zero, supply chain carbon efficiency is more important than ever.

This new study shows that while considerable progress has been made across the media industry with the rise of remote production and the adoption of cloud-based solutions, broadcasters can go much further and faster by integrating truly sustainable, native technologies optimized specifically for cloud workflows.

Independent research previously conducted by Green Element has shown that the use of cloud native video editing platform, Blackbird, generates up to 91% less CO2 compared to cloud-based and on-premises workflows.

Cloud-native technologies are addressing the problem of carbon emissions, at its source. Content producers who embrace these technologies are leading the transition to greener working methods. These include EVS, LiveU, Sky News Arabia and Eurovision Sport, which contributed to the study.

Among the main conclusions of the document, it stands out that in 2020, 480 billion hours of live video transmission caused a loss of sea ice the size of Scotland. On the other hand, 90% of editors use the cloud, but 65% move large files inefficiently and unnecessarily.

Decarbonized video production has been endorsed by the most decorated Olympic sailor in history, Hannah Mills OBE.

The also sustainability ambassador of the International Olympic Committee, global spokesperson for sustainability of SailGP and founder of the Big Plastic Pledge, highlights that "it is the responsibility of everyone, including athletes, organizers and broadcasters, to do everything possible to reduce the environmental impact of sport and ensure that people can enjoy live sport in a more sustainable way. I am glad to see in this white paper that more and more broadcasters and content producers are adopting greener technologies and that the benefits are becoming more evident. As As we move towards a net-zero world, cloud-native technologies like Blackbird will be increasingly important to achieving our climate goals.”

The CEO of Blackbird, Ian McDonough, adds that “a year ago, Blackbird took a leadership position by campaigning for the reduction of highly polluting local workflows through the use of cloud technology in our document “Video should not cost the Earth.”