Ecosystems / Portugal

Portugal

Stuff I don’t have

1. Overview

2. National Guidelines for Sustainable Film Production

3. Legislation

4. Handbook

5. Green Consultants & Managers

1. Overview

Portugal's audiovisual sector produces approximately 20-25 feature films annually, supported by the Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual (ICA) and Portugal Film Commission (PFC). The sector is characterized by small and medium-sized enterprises with limited budgets that naturally constrain resource use, creating what might be termed "budget-driven sustainability." However, systematic green production practices remain at an early stage, with sustainability largely dependent on individual initiative rather than institutional requirements.

While growing awareness exists, particularly driven by international co-production standards, Portugal lacks mandatory sustainability regulations. The transition to the unified RIPAC incentive scheme presents opportunities to integrate sustainability criteria, though current measures remain voluntary and incentive-based rather than compulsory.

Portugal currently has no formal national sustainability standards or guidelines issued by ICA or producer associations. However, several initiatives exist:

Portugal Film Commission has developed practical "Green Shooting" guidelines. PFC will incorporate the future MEDIA Carbon Calculator as it becomes available (currently in beta phase).
RIPAC incentive scheme offers additional evaluation points for productions submitting sustainability plans created by certified green consultants
ICA Ad Hoc support scheme (2025) explicitly covers sustainability expenses up to €45,000 per project

These measures encourage but do not enforce sustainable practices, representing an early-stage approach to green production integration.

2. National Guidelines for Sustainable Film Production

3. Legislation

Portugal has no specific legislation addressing sustainable film production. Current sustainability efforts operate within broader EU frameworks, including the European Green Deal and the Creative Europe sustainability agenda. The Media Agreement and film support regulations do not include mandatory sustainability requirements, though policy discussions suggest potential future integration.

4. Handbook

The Portugal Film Commission promotes the "Green Shooting Guide" (2024) as a practical resource for productions. This handbook provides guidelines for environmentally responsible production practices, though adoption remains voluntary and uptake is limited among smaller production companies. Link: https://portugalfilmcommission.com/en/green-shooting-guide/

5. Green Consultants & Managers

Portugal has a growing network of sustainability professionals:

Repensar - Green Consultants Portugal provides a directory of certified consultants and policy advice
Lusófona University offers a 5-month "Green Consultants" training program
Individual practitioners work primarily on international co-productions where sustainability standards are required

The emergence of trained consultants is building sector capacity, though demand remains limited due to lack of mandatory requirements.

6. Green Education

Lusófona University leads sustainability education through:

Dedicated Green Consultants course trains industry professionals
Integration of sustainability modules into bachelor's and master's film programs
Collaboration with international networks to develop best practices

However, sustainability education remains concentrated at the institutional level rather than industry-wide.

7. Co-Production

International co-productions increasingly introduce sustainability frameworks to Portuguese productions. While no specific sustainability requirements exist for co-production funding, exposure to international standards through partnerships with German, French, and Nordic producers is gradually raising awareness and capability.

8. Prospects & Plans

Portugal aims to position itself competitively by integrating sustainability into its film incentive framework. Key developments include:

Potential expansion of RIPAC sustainability criteria from voluntary to mandatory
Development of a national sustainability network connecting consultants, producers, and institutions
Exploration of partnerships with Nordic countries for green manager training
Integration of sustainability requirements into future film policy frameworks
Recent international productions (House of the Dragon, Fast & Furious 10) demonstrate Portugal's capability to meet high sustainability standards

The sector recognizes sustainability as essential for long-term competitiveness, particularly given EU-wide trends toward mandatory environmental standards.