BAFTA Albert is launching its Next Generation Toolkit on September 16th, giving Irish productions a new way to measure, manage and reduce their carbon emissions, with an updated carbon calculator, certification programme and sustainable production guidance.
Here are the changes that you can expect:
- Current Toolkit Workflow
- New Carbon Calculator
- New Self-Review Process (Carbon Calculator)
- New Data Entry Options (Carbon Calculator)
- How the Carbon Action Plan is changing
- New Certification Workflow
- New Certified Route
- New Committed Route
Current Toolkit Workflow
The current toolkit process requires users to start a draft carbon footprint before submitting their carbon action plan questionnaire in pre-production. Preapproval of the logo is then awarded to productions who have had at least 60% of their evidence accepted, including the mandatory questions. With the launch of the next generation toolkit, this workflow is changing. The next generation toolkit gives you access to a new carbon calculator, updated sustainable production guidance and resources, and certification with new criteria and weighted scoring to better demonstrate your achievements.
New Carbon Calculator
BAFTA Albert has improved the accuracy of carbon footprint calculations by updating emission factors and expanding emissions activity subcategories, helping create a more complete and accurate carbon footprint.
They have also made changes to the review process and how you enter your data.
New Self-Review Process (Carbon Calculator)
One of the biggest changes in the Next Generation Toolkit is the new self-review process.
Previously, footprints were reviewed by the Albert team before they could be finalized. Now, productions are responsible for reviewing and approving their own footprint data before submission using their own accounts to validate the information provided.
To assist in accurate data uploads, BAFTA Albert has introduced the carbon footprint data tracker so you can upload your data in one go.
New Data Entry Options (Carbon Calculator)
BAFTA Albert also made changes to how you can upload your carbon data. In the current toolkit, data is entered manually line by line. In the next generation toolkit, you’ll have three new options to choose from. These include starting from scratch, copying from an existing production, and using the carbon footprint data tracker to upload your data in one go.
How the Carbon Action Plan is changing
What was previously the carbon action plan, which combined planning and certification, has now been separated into two distinct workflows. The guidance and template section will contain checklists and other resources to help you embed sustainable production methods from the beginning. The separate certification workflow enables you to tell us exactly what was achieved throughout production reflecting actual outcomes rather than your initial plans and intended actions. It’s here where you’ll apply for the certification mark.
New Certification Workflow
There are a number of key changes that have been made to the certification process in the next generation toolkit.
Productions will have a choice between two routes. The certified route is the standard route which most productions will follow. But where there is a legitimate need for recognition before transmission, productions will follow the committed route. This is an exceptional pathway for certain types of productions and an application will need to be approved by the Albert team to confirm that it’s the right route for you. Guidance and support resources are available to help productions choose the right route.
New Certified Rute
The Albert certified route will be the standard certification route for almost all productions.
In the current toolkit, productions complete a draft carbon footprint and submit their carbon action plan questionnaire in pre-production based on the actions they intend to take throughout production. In the next generation toolkit, you’ll still be able to view the certification questions during pre-production but applications won’t be submitted until later in the production life cycle, no earlier than 1 month before production ends.
The certified route process will also be much simpler, reducing the number of questions from 94 to just 21. Productions will have the opportunity to provide additional context or supporting information using a free text box alongside the uploaded evidence. There will be a weighted scoring system that places greater emphasis on the actions that can make the biggest environmental impact. And the pass mark will remain at 55%.
New Committed Route
This is a new specialist route designed for productions that require formal recognition before transmission or broadcast. It has been created for production types such as news, sport, and continuing or live programs where timelines and production cycles can make the standard route more challenging.
Eligible productions can apply from pre-production up until transmission and they will be asked to upload a signed code of practice that outlines their commitment to sustainability throughout the production. There is a tailored set of questions designed specifically for these types of productions, making it easier to demonstrate intended actions and commitments, which should be evidenced with policies and production documentation.
This gives eligible productions a more suitable pathway to recognition while still encouraging meaningful and measurable sustainability action.
Overview
Launch date for the next generation toolkit: 16 September.
Shutdown date for the current toolkit: 16 December.
The launch means these changes:
- Changes to carbon calculator
- New Certification process
- New methods of Data Entry
