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Sony publishes white paper on sustainability in live production 

Report from Sony Professional Displays and Solutions Europe examines the key challenges and identifies opportunities to lessen the industry’s carbon impact 

Sony Professional Displays and Solutions Europe has published a new whitepaper on sustainability in live production, aiming to present the key opportunities for businesses within the industry to implement change.

The live production industry faces mounting pressure to operate more sustainably, despite a multitude of persistent challenges, but also has opportunities to reduce waste and environmental impact, says Sony. The paper outlines how implementing change is perfectly possible, and how live production can play its part in achieving a sustainable ecosystem of broadcasting on the global stage.

The Sony report underlines that sustainable practices are not one-size-fits-all, as each production has unique requirements. By analysing the key areas of challenge for the industry, Sony has been able to look for spaces where creating change that benefits business and the environment is possible.

“While the live production industry cannot entirely eliminate its carbon impact, by targeting efficiency and optimisation in its processes, we can get to the lowest impact possible while still ensuring we deliver the excitement of a live event to those not able to get there,” said Norbert Paquet, head of product management, Sony Professional Solutions Europe.

“We hope to see live production play its part in achieving a sustainable ecosystem of broadcasting on the global stage. This guide will act as a convener for the industry to rally around,” Paquet added.

The key challenges are, according to Sony:

  • Quantifying environmental footprint: Without clear knowledge of current emissions, it is difficult for companies to accurately perceive their carbon impact and justify the disruption and cost of moving to new systems and processes.
  • Considering individual production needs: Transport and logistics are core to live production, and perhaps its biggest challenge in terms of sustainability concerns.
  • The limitations of OB trucks: Providing the lion’s share of a production’s emissions, these cannot be removed from the process, but opportunities to lighten their loads can and should be explored.
  • Battling uncertainty around power supply: A reliable power infrastructure and network is essential on a live production. This leads to over-provision to account for possible energy failure, and subsequently, copious unused resources.

The whitepaper explores a modular approach to live production that enables companies to reduce waste and environmental impact where they can, proving that the industry can play an active role in moving the dial on sustainability.

You can download the full report here.