The Creative Industries, as well as reducing the impact of their own activities on the environment, have a role in supporting the efforts of other industry sectors. For example, sustainable design in construction and, more broadly, the substitution of digital products for physical goods and experiences.

According to the Stern Report published in 2006 [17], ICT activities are responsible for 2% of global CO2 emissions. The increasing amount and complexity of data used for producing animation films and computer games for example, is increasing the amount of processing power required to render and support production. Therefore, it is important that these industries are engaged with the broader efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of data centres. The application of digital tools to reduce waste and production to demand (such as the print to order service implemented by Amazon) present other opportunities.

We do not intend to focus specifically on environmental sustainability within this strategy but, through investments such as Creative Industries Technology and Innovation (CITIN) KTN, we will seek to encourage participation by the sector in other low carbon initiatives sponsored by the Technology Strategy Board.