El Hierro Film Commission

Sustainable Filming

Sustainability: An Opportunity for the Audiovisual Industry

El Hierro Film Commission actively promotes sustainable filming as a fundamental pillar, in line with the island’s status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and its exceptional natural heritage. In a territory where more than 60% of the land is protected, we support a responsible audiovisual industry that integrates sustainability as a driver of innovation and excellence.

Essential Measures for Sustainable Filming

To ensure respectful and efficient productions, we recommend following these key guidelines, inspired by standards such as Spain Film Commission’s Green Shooting:

Responsible pre-production

Evaluating environmental impacts from the selection of locations, coordinating with local authorities, and using tools such as the Albert Calculator to measure the carbon footprint.

Efficient resource management

Transport: Shared, electric, or low-impact vehicles; optimized routes.
Energy: LED lighting, efficient generators, and renewable energy sources.
Catering and water: Local suppliers, locally sourced menus, and reusable containers.

Dedicated coordination

Appoint a sustainability manager within the team to oversee compliance and train staff.

Waste management and environmental protection

Selective waste separation, zero single-use plastics, delimitation of filming areas, and immediate site restoration to prevent disturbances to flora and fauna.

These measures, tested by Spanish and European film commissions, minimize risks in sensitive areas like ours and enhance the overall quality of the project.

Tangible Benefits and Incentives

Sustainable productions generate measurable positive impacts: up to 20–30% cost savings through energy and logistics efficiency, along with a significant reduction in emissions and waste. In addition, they have access to:

Tax incentives

Tax deductions and grants from Spanish and European authorities for “green” productions, managed through Spain Film Commission.

Prestigious certifications

Albert (carbon footprint), Green Shooting (national standard), and adapted ISO 14001, which open doors to European funding and premium markets.