Database Governance Rules

1. Introduction

Green Dialogue Audiovisual is a free-access platform providing practical guidance and sharing sustainability practices and tools implemented across Europe for film and audiovisual production.

The project, titled “Strengthening capacities of social partners to meet the challenges of environmental sustainability in film and TV productions,” was co-funded by the European Union and ran from February 2021 to May 2023. It aimed to:

  • Map good practices that the film and TV production ecosystem across Europe has implemented to achieve more environmentally friendly work processes and workplaces
  • Identify practices related to changes in employment and work that these environmentally friendly practices induce
  • Explore how companies and workers’ representatives can balance and achieve the twin objectives of environmental sustainability and safety
  • Strengthen the capacities of the audiovisual production ecosystem and trade unions regarding environmental sustainability and its impact on work processes and workplaces

1.1 Social Partners

  • CEPI – European Audiovisual Production Association
  • EBU – European Broadcasting Union
  • FIA – International Federation of Actors
  • FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations
  • FIM – International Federation of Musicians
  • UNI Europa/EURO-MEI – Media, Entertainment and Arts Sector

2. Database Purpose

The GreenDialogue Audiovisual database serves to facilitate access to initiatives, solutions, tools, and policies across different European countries that aim to facilitate, support, and incentivize the green transition of the audiovisual sector. The database is designed to be a comprehensive resource for industry professionals, policymakers, and organizations seeking to implement or learn from sustainable practices in film and television production.

3. Geographic Scope

The database exclusively integrates entries from countries participating in the Creative Europe Programme. This geographical limitation ensures alignment with European Union cultural and audiovisual policies and maintains consistency with the funding framework supporting the platform.

4. Eligibility Criteria for Database Entries

To be eligible for inclusion in the GreenDialogue Audiovisual database, an initiative must meet the following requirements:

  • Be aligned with the objectives of supporting the ecological transition of the audiovisual industry
  • Fall within one of the defined categories (see Section 5)
  • Fall under the geographical scope (see Section 3)
  • Meet the non-commercial criteria (see Section 6)

5. Database Categories

The database is organized into seven distinct categories, each serving a specific purpose in supporting the green transition of the audiovisual sector:

5.1 Guides

This category includes comprehensive guides, handbooks, general guidelines, and protocols for sustainable production practices. These resources provide practical, actionable information to help production teams implement environmentally responsible methods throughout the filmmaking process.

5.2 Platforms

Platforms are resource aggregation initiatives that provide support and guidance for sustainable production. These may include online portals, knowledge hubs, or collaborative spaces designed to facilitate access to multiple resources and tools in one centralized location.

5.3 Film Institutions

This category encompasses film commissions, regional funds, national funds, local funds, film schools, and any other institutions that implement policies and provide support for the green transition of the audiovisual industry. These institutions play a crucial role in establishing frameworks and providing resources for sustainable production practices.

5.4 Industry Initiatives

Industry initiatives include all projects originating from industry stakeholders, trade unions, employer organizations, or independent entities that aim to support the green transition of the audiovisual sector. This broad category may include associations, collectives, research projects, databases, reports, studies, data compilations, and other collaborative efforts.

5.5 Carbon Calculators

Carbon calculators are specialized tools designed to measure and calculate the carbon footprint of audiovisual productions. These tools enable production companies to quantify their environmental impact and identify areas for improvement in their sustainability practices.

5.6 Certifications

This category includes certification programs and schemes that recognize and validate sustainable production practices. Certifications provide standardized frameworks for assessing and acknowledging the environmental performance of audiovisual productions.

5.7 Trainings

Training initiatives encompass educational programs, workshops, courses, and learning opportunities focused on sustainability in the audiovisual sector. These programs aim to build capacity and knowledge among industry professionals regarding sustainable production practices and environmental responsibility.

6. Non-Commercial Initiative Definition

For the purposes of inclusion in the GreenDialogue Audiovisual database, a non-commercial initiative is defined as follows:

An initiative qualifies as non-commercial when its primary purpose is not to generate profit. The main objective must be to support the audiovisual sector in its green transition through education, resource provision, policy development, or other supportive activities.

6.1 Acceptable Revenue Models

Initiatives that generate revenue are permitted in the database only when:

  • The organization is structured as a non-profit entity
  • Revenue generation serves to sustain and fund the organization’s activities
  • The clear primary purpose remains supporting the sector’s green transition

6.2 Examples

Acceptable: A non-profit association offering fee-based sustainability training courses where proceeds fund further educational initiatives and resource development.

Not acceptable: A commercial consultancy firm offering sustainability services primarily for profit, even if those services benefit the sector.

7. Submission and Evaluation Process

Submissions that meet all the criteria defined above will be automatically accepted into the database.

Submissions that fall under particular situations or circumstances not covered by these rules will be evaluated by the GreenDialogue Audiovisual steering committee on a case-by-case basis.

The steering committee reserves the right to:

  • Request additional information or clarification regarding submitted initiatives
  • Decline submissions that do not meet the established criteria
  • Review, modify, or remove entries in the database
  • Periodically review and update these guidelines to ensure they continue to serve the database’s objectives

Note: Entries that have been added before any change to this ruleset (22nd of January 2026), or geographic scope that might exclude them, can remain present in the database subject to decision of the steering committee.