First Ever Industry-Wide Research Undertaken by Digital Home Entertainment Group Establishes the Industry's Supply Chain Carbon Footprint

Film studios and the home entertainment supply chain drive carbon emission reduction

LONDON — The Digital Entertainment Group Europe (DEGE) has today announced completion of the first ever European-wide industry assessment of the carbon footprint of the home entertainment supply chain. The DEGE and its members, in collaboration with management consultancy bureau intelligence for business (i4b), conducted an extensive four-month research project to identify key best practices companies can implement to reduce their carbon emissions in a manner that also makes sound business sense. In addition, research findings will provide a benchmark against which the industry can measure itself as it looks to establish long-term reduction goals for its carbon footprint.

DEGE members including major studios Lionsgate, Paramount Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video, supply chain members including Arvato, Cinram, Sony DADC and Technicolor commissioned i4b to develop the methodology behind the research. As part of the study, more than 1.100 million finished products (DVD and Blu-ray discs) from 2009 were assessed; materials, manufacturing, transportation were among the myriad supply chain components examined.

Results will be released in the coming months along with suggested best practices that supply chain partners may undertake to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining optimal efficiency, examining different factors including facilities distribution and material reduction. The DEGE will begin working immediately with existing and new partners on a carbon reduction programme designed to facilitate widespread adoption of identified best practices.

“This ground breaking research provides a first-ever in-depth analysis of the European home entertainment supply chain and its effects on the environment,” commented Edwin Van Der Meerendonk, DEGE Supply Chain and Efficiencies Chairman and Vice President, European Operations, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. “It’s great to see the home entertainment industry across Europe commit themselves to an issue that is of such great significance, and we believe the findings will spur meaningful change as our identified carbon reduction best practices also make good business sense.”

The research study is based on internationally-trusted certification partners and environmental bodies including IPCC, WRI, WBCSD, BSI, GRI, CDP, DJSI to name a few.

“It’s essential that industries across the globe look at the ways they can reduce their impact on the environment and it is encouraging to see the DEGE playing a proactive role, utilising recognised standards such as The GHG Protocol, and ensuring the home entertainment industry is reducing its carbon footprint,” commented Andrea Brown, GHG Protocol Manager at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. “This research underscores that the home entertainment industry is clearly committed to increasing efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint and we look forward to seeing the positive changes this research engenders.”