USGBC California Launches First Sustainability Standard for Entertainment Workers
Los Angeles, CA (September 9, 2024)—The U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA) launches its new sustainability training and certification program for entertainment industry professionals. The Sustainable Production for Entertainment Certification (SPEC) is a first-of-its-kind program that uplifts the sustainability skill-sets of individuals through cross-functional training and establishes an industry standard to certify individuals in entertainment sustainability processes. The USGBC-CA will open the training to all entertainment professionals across these segments starting the end of September (see dates).
The SPEC applies to all major segments of the entertainment industry, emphasizing key areas for learners, including: waste reduction/circularity, value/supply chain, risk management, climate communications, carbon calculation, and energy management. The certification will begin with a foundational track this year and follow with topical and position specific certifications for advanced learning and deeper impact. Amazon MGM Studios, a sponsor of the program, will be the first studio to implement the SPEC training as part of its global sustainability training initiative that aims to give hands-on training to 30 individuals to become on-set sustainability managers and coordinators.
“It’s clear the entertainment industry is keen on accelerating action to address climate change, and we are excited to have Amazon MGM Studios take the initiative and lead the way,” says USGBC-CA Executive Director Ben Stapleton. “We want entertainment workers along all points of the value chain, across multiple environments, to be empowered with training, well-equipped with the information and practical knowledge to take broad action.” Widely regarded for high impact professional development training, USGBC-CA, has launched the certification in partnership with industry and technical experts Green Spark Group and Ereth Environmental.
Green Spark Group President Zena Harris and Ereth Environmental owner Adam Ereth, PhD, who teamed up with USGBC-CA, say, “We collaborated on a certification where everyone can speak the same language and apply a sustainability lens to their work. The SPEC training connects the dots across the entertainment value chain and promotes dialogue, planning and action to reduce environmental impacts. We’re not just teaching people prescriptively what to think, but how to think and solve problems that often arise in this line of work.”
To understand all the issues and help refine the curriculum, USGBC-CA collaborated with a range of stakeholders through a multi-disciplinary Advisory Group consisting of entertainment industry studios, executives, trade unions, venues, vendors/businesses, producers, non-profits and academia.
For more information or to support the Sustainable Production for Entertainment Certification as a sponsor, advisor or collaborator, please visit USGBC-CA or contact Ben Stapleton at ben@usgbc-ca.org.
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About Amazon MGM Studios
Amazon MGM Studios is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content. Original series premiere on Prime Video, which is available to watch on hundreds of compatible devices in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Original films are produced and acquired by the studio for theatrical release and exclusively for Prime Video. Amazon MGM Studios also produces content for MGM+, the premium pay television network, and Freevee, Amazon’s premium free streaming service.
About USGBC California
USGBC California is a 501(c)3 non-profit and member-based organization whose vision is to transform California’s built environment into a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable region for all. USGBC California is comprised of green building communities across the state. We lead by inspiring leaders throughout our communities to take action on climate change, public health, and environmental justice while educating, developing, and empowering a diverse talent pipeline through our training, mentorship, and direct-to-community programs. We connect by merging interdisciplinary perspectives and collaborations to create positive systemic change. We advocate through promoting innovative, impactful policy solutions addressing the most urgent environmental and social challenges of our time. (www.usgbc-ca.org)
