Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Disney’s Live-Action Remakes “Snow White” and “The Little Mermaid” Generate Significant UK Emissions
New environmental data reveals that Disney’s recent live-action film productions, Snow White and The Little Mermaid, have generated substantial greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, surpassing even the latest Fast & Furious movie known for its high-octane car sequences. Despite promotional events emphasizing themes of nature and environmental harmony, company filings indicate a surprisingly large carbon footprint for these family-friendly films, raising questions about the environmental impact of major motion pictures.
Elaborate Promotional Events Contrast with Film’s Environmental Impact
At the London premiere of the new Snow White motion picture, social media influencers were treated to an immersive experience featuring an artificial fairytale forest and a thatched cottage populated with faux woodland creatures. Similarly, in Hollywood, a live rabbit adorned in a knitted sweater was presented on the red carpet for The Little Mermaid premiere. However, this apparent celebration of nature stands in stark contrast to the actual environmental impact of the films’ production.
Emissions Data Reveals Surprising Findings
An analysis of over 250 documents from the Walt Disney Company demonstrates that the live-action adaptations of Snow White and The Little Mermaid have resulted in greater pollution output than any other Disney movies produced in the UK since 2019. This was the year when mandatory environmental reporting for film productions was introduced. The combined emissions from these two films exceed the annual emissions of major infrastructure sites.
Comparison with Other Polluters
The compiled emissions for Snow White and The Little Mermaid surpass the yearly output of Birmingham and Luton airports. Individually, each film’s production produced more emissions than the annual totals for both Blackpool Pleasure Beach and London’s O2 Arena – the latter being the venue for the Snow White influencer event.
- Snow White and The Little Mermaid (Combined): Higher emissions than Birmingham and Luton Airports annually.
- Each Movie: Higher emissions than Blackpool Pleasure Beach and London’s O2 Arena annually.
Global Emissions Could Be Higher
The reported figures represent emissions specifically generated within the UK, as per reporting requirements. The global emission totals for these productions are likely to be even greater. While filming for both Snow White and The Little Mermaid primarily took place at Pinewood Studios near London, The Little Mermaid also included location shooting in Sardinia. Similarly, the Fast and Furious production involved filming in Italy and the United States.
Snow White Production Plagued by Challenges
Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, marks Disney’s latest live-action venture. However, the film has encountered numerous controversies, ranging from discussions surrounding the lead actor’s public comments to debates about the portrayal of the seven dwarves. Furthermore, the film is reportedly facing significant financial losses, projected to be around $115 million (£89 million), with estimated total earnings of $145 million against a substantial production budget of approximately $260 million.
UK Film Production Incentives and Emissions Reporting
Despite being an American studio production, both Snow White and The Little Mermaid were filmed at Pinewood Studios, located just outside London. Film productions in the UK are eligible for government incentives, receiving up to 25.5% reimbursement on qualifying expenditures intended to boost the industry. This incentive program requires production companies to file accounts for each movie, detailing production expenses and UK-generated emissions.
Substantial Government Reimbursements
Records indicate that Disney received significant reimbursements by the end of 2023: £44.9 million for producing Snow White in the UK and £49.7 million for The Little Mermaid. These figures highlight the scale of investment in these large-scale productions and the corresponding potential for environmental impact.
Understanding Emissions Measurement: Scope 1, 2, and 3
Emissions are quantified in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) and categorized into three scopes:
Scope 1: Direct Emissions
Covers emissions from direct fuel consumption during movie production. Examples include generators powering equipment like cameras and heaters on set.
Scope 2: Indirect Emissions from Electricity
Encompasses emissions associated with the generation of purchased electricity used throughout the production process.
Scope 3: Indirect Supply Chain Emissions
Represents indirect emissions from the broader supply chain, including goods and services utilized in the film production. These are often outside the direct control of the reporting company.
Scope 3 emissions are often excluded from reporting by many entities, including airports, as they include elements like aircraft emissions. Airports’ overall emissions would be significantly higher if Scope 3 was fully accounted for, dwarfing those of film productions.
Industry Perspective on Production Emissions
Major film productions, known as “tentpoles” within the movie industry, have typical emission benchmarks. According to a source close to Disney last year, approximately 2,600 tCO2e is considered a reasonable emission target for a tentpole production. However, The Little Mermaid doubled this figure (considering all three scopes), and Snow White exceeded it by 62% in Scopes 1 and 2.
Factors Contributing to Higher Emissions
Snow White‘s extensive location filming contributed to increased emissions due to the reliance on portable generators. Fuel consumption for these generators constituted a significant portion of energy usage for both films. Efforts to mitigate emissions included the use of battery-powered and hybrid generators, along with utilizing mains power when available.
Mitigation Efforts and Renewable Energy
Production accounts mention that Pinewood Studios switched to a renewable electricity supply via a green tariff in 2020, although emission reductions from this switch are not included in the reported calculations. Furthermore, the production reportedly utilized rented electric vehicles and prioritized charter flights for large crew movements, arguing that this was less carbon-intensive than numerous commercial flights.