LENS — the Low-Carbon Entertainment Standard — is a new certification program under development for sustainable screen production in Canada, recognizing productions that minimize the environmental impact of physical production, on and off screen.
A founding cohort of productions is being onboarded now to test the standard under real conditions — their experience will shape the final program before public launch in early 2027. Certifications awarded during this phase are fully valid and industry-recognized.
In Fall 2026 we will launch a public survey in order to gather feedback from across the production ecosystem, including producers, studios, artists, technicians, funders, broadcasters and distributors.
Productions interested in joining the founding cohort are welcome to reach out directly. Space is limited.
Contact info@producingfortheplanet.com for more information.
A production implements mandatory requirements and earns voluntary action points across five environmental impact pillars. Achievement is recognized across three tiers — Commitment, Performance, and Excellence — each representing a higher level of verified environmental performance.
The five environmental impact dimensions of production that form the structural framework of the standard.
Three progressive tiers reflecting the level of environmentally responsible actions and outcomes achieved by the production.
The actions a production must implement to qualify for certification at a given tier.
Flexible, points-based pathways that are adaptable to the specific context of each production.
The LENS program is currently certifying productions engaged in physical production . We are not currently certifying animation productions. If your production is a co-production, or if only a portion of the production is taking place in Canada, please contact us to discuss how to certify your production.
The standard defines five primary environmental impact dimensions of production, each with its own core objective. A production must act across all five to be certified.
Reducing GHG emissions from energy and fuel use through low- emissions practices.
Embedding sustainability planning and accountability in production teams.
Prioritizing reusable, lower-impact and responsibly sourced materials.
Reducing waste and maximizing reuse, recycling and material diversion.
Reflecting sustainable behaviours on screen, where creatively appropriate.
Productions are recognized at the tier they reach — each a higher level of verified environmental performance.
This tier recognizes productions that achieve foundational sustainable practices — ideal for low- budget productions or teams seeking an entry point to sustainable production.
This tier recognizes productions that achieve credible, measurable environmental performance. Ideal for teams who are ready to move beyond foundational practices.
This tier recognizes productions that achieve best-in-class sustainability performance. Ideal for teams ready to demonstrate leadership in sustainable production
Canada's screen industry is ready for this. Productions across the country are already taking action on sustainability — reducing emissions, rethinking how they source and dispose of materials, and making deliberate choices about what they put on screen. What's been missing is a common framework to recognize, measure, and build on that work consistently.
Building on the foundation established in Quebec with On Tourne Vert, a national standard and certification program helps the industry unlock the opportunities of sustainable production, and builds trust and credibility for the industry’s environmental efforts.
A single playbook for sustainable practices, making it easier to take action and reducing friction, sustainability fatigue and overhead — plus credible, industry-backed recognition for on-set and on-screen sustainability work.
A reliable signal of environmental performance they can trust, applied fairly and consistently across genres, regions and budget levels.
A shared framework for what sustainable production actually means, providing consistency across jurisdictions and enabling meaningful data aggregation and comparability.
The result is an industry that can move together — toward lower emissions, stronger practices, and a screen culture that reflects the values audiences increasingly expect.
Join the productions proving that great screen work and a lower carbon footprint are the same ambition.
Talk to the teamLENS program development is supported by the Media Alliance for the Production of Low-Carbon Entertainment (MAPLE) — a coalition of industry organizations from across North America.
The LENS standard was developed by Producing for the Planet Society in collaboration with On Tourne Vert in Quebec, the first accreditation program for audio-visual productions in Canada, launched in 2021.
