Sustainable Screens Australia (SSA), the industry-led initiative addressing the growing need to reduce the screen industry’s environmental impact, today announced a number of significant developments:
- The appointment of its inaugural Executive Director, Maree Cochrane;
- The formalisation of its strategic partnership with albert, the leading organisation for environmental sustainability in the screen industry globally;
- Screen Australia’s funding support;
- Seed funding from Minderoo Pictures; and
- The welcoming of ITV Studios Australia, Nine, Stan, Lingo Pictures, Lune Media, Disney Studios Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) as Foundational Members.
Maree Cochrane commenced her position as Executive Director in April. Her expertise in strategy, learning design, systems change, digital platforms and leadership makes her the ideal candidate to lead SSA’s day to day business operations. Cochrane spent the first 10 years of her career in the screen industry, primarily working in production as an Assistant Director, and for companies such as the BBC, Endemol Shine and the London Film Festival.
Most recently, Cochrane was the Strategy, Engagement and Learning Lead with the Innovation Network – a digital learning initiative of the Victorian Government. Preceding this, Cochrane held the roles of Program Manager, Co-facilitator and Coach at the Centre for Sustainability Leadership, which created life-changing programs for individuals and organisations and offered regional programs, online leadership learning and one-on-one coaching. Prior to that, Cochrane held roles in Research + Innovation at RMIT and was Impact and Partnerships Manager for a First Nations not-for-profit supporting the exploration and development of micro-enterprises.
Cochrane said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the ranks of passionate women behind Sustainable Screens Australia. Returning to an industry I know and love to help it shift in thinking and practice is a dream role. One I wouldn’t have without an incredible industry led collective. To Australia’s screen agencies, production companies, streamers, broadcasters, commissioners, practitioners and international leaders albert – let’s get stuck in so we can keep sharing stories from this beautiful place far into the future.”
SSA is also delighted to announce the formalisation of a key strategic partnership with albert, the leading screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability. Founded in 2011, albert is a BAFTA-owned, industry backed organisation based in the UK that supports the global film and TV industry to reduce the environmental impact of its productions.
Anna Kaplan and Sara Horn, Co-Chairs, SSA, said: “albert’s reputation for driving sustainable practices within the screen industry is unparalleled and this key partnership provides SSA with access to albert’s considerable experience and IP including a bespoke carbon calculator created for the screen industry, sustainable production training, a best practice toolkit and other resources that will be localised for the Australian market. The partnership between albert and SSA is the first of its kind to be rolled out internationally by albert.
Carys Taylor, Director, albert, said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting Sustainable Screens Australia in creating a new vision for productions that puts the planet front and centre. The challenges we face are worldwide, but we can solve them if our partnerships are worldwide too.”
SSA’s ability to progress to the next phase of its strategic plan will be bolstered by the arrival of two new seed funders in Screen Australia and Minderoo Pictures, which will help propel SSA in its goal to transform sustainability in the Australian screen production industry. Additionally, the organisation is thrilled to announce that ITV Studios Australia, Nine, Stan, Lingo Pictures, Lune Media and the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) have joined its already impressive line-up of Foundational Members.
SSA is a member-based industry organisation that aims to transform the Australian screen production industry to one that integrates sustainability into everyday practices, building capacity at all levels of the industry to reduce our collective environmental footprint in line with science-based targets. The organisation was founded on a vision to change the climate of screen production in Australia through collaboration, education, tools and resources, with the goal of transforming the industry into one which integrates sustainability into everyday practices. With Australia’s legislated targets of a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050, the screen industry is expected to reduce its environmental impact along with all other industries.
Sustainable Screens Australia – putting the planet in the picture.
