Equity has published a statement signed by over a hundred actors in favour of the union’s Green Rider, which aims to promote better environmental practices in TV and film.
The proposed contractual agreement between artists and productions focuses on sustainability and aims to spark a cultural shift in the UK’s entertainment industry, prioritising positive behaviour and influence rather than consumption of resources.
The rider can be adapted before being added to screen artists’ contracts, allowing actors to state their own sustainability commitments and to negotiate broader on-set standards before accepting a role.
Equity’s overarching aim is for the Green Rider to be included in the collective agreements that the union holds with producers.
“Equity’s Green Rider is a tool to empower artists,” the statement said. “It provides a framework with which to negotiate better practices in TV and film. As actors and creatives, we support the creation and implementation into standard Equity contracts of a Green Rider”.
The statement has been signed by prominent British actors including include Mark Rylance, Hayley Atwell, Ben Whishaw, Bill Nighy, Gemma Arterton, David Harewood, Bella Ramsey, Paapa Essiedu, Nabhaan Rizwan, Juliet Stevenson, Harriet Walter, Maxine Peake and Miranda Richardson.
The union is in discussions with the BBC, ITV Studios and Sky Studios to pilot the Green Rider in upcoming productions.
“Film production is notorious for its waste and unecological practices,” said actor Mark Rylance. “This Green Rider is a template to help all film and TV artists to ask for more ecological practices. Just because we can’t do everything, doesn’t mean we can’t do anything. Let’s clean up our workplace.”
Actor Bella Ramsay said the Green Rider is a “practical route to positive change”.
“We can make all the films in the world about climate change but unless we are environmentally conscious in the process of making them, our efforts are superficial,” she added.
