‘The Day of the Jackal’ Hits the Target with Grid Electricity and Sustainable Production

Prioritizing sustainability on film and TV productions is never an easy feat, especially when filming across multiple locations, but the cast and crew of The Day of the Jackal remained committed to ensuring the production incorporated green and energy efficient solutions.

The Day of the Jackal is produced by Carnival Films, which is part of Universal International Studios (UIS), a division of Universal Studio Group, and has led the way in launching the NBCUniversal Sustainable Production Program across all UIS production companies this year.

With filming locations in Budapest, Austria, Croatia, and London, the production’s dedicated sustainability team focused on crew training and engagement, travel and transportation, power, materials, and waste, with many initiatives being done for the first time on a Hungarian production.

Power

• Working with the local utility to install temporary access to the electricity grid while filming at over 40 different locations in Hungary allowed the production to source over 200,000 kwh of electricity and avoid running large generators. The production connected to grid electricity at over 90% of the Budapest filming locations.
• Multiple small batteries were used to replace small generators, creating a healthier, quieter set – especially at public shooting locations like the National Covid Memorial Wall in London.
• Studios utilized 100% LEDs and film locations used 45% LEDs for set lighting – significantly cutting electricity demand for set lighting.

Transportation

• Renewable diesel (HVO) was used widely in all facilities and tech vehicles for the main shoot – a first for film and TV production in Hungary.
• In the UK, cast transport vehicles were electric and EV taxis and couriers were prioritized.
• Based on a crew survey at the end of production, 23% of the crew carpooled regularly and 36% of crew used public transport regularly during production.

Waste

• Set construction and decoration materials were comprehensively logged to inform future decisions around materials use and stored at wrap for future reuse.
• The production adopted a pre-ordering system for catering, which resulted in cutting food waste by over 50% compared to previous productions. Catering also served a beef-free menu and promoted locally themed plant-based options.
• Catering in both Hungary and the UK avoided single-use plastics by providing water refill stations and reusable and compostable dishware and utensils.

The Day of the Jackal is an Albert Certified Production and received a Gold Seal from the Environmental Media Association, which recognizes efforts in sustainable production. The series proves that even the most thrilling, fast-paced storylines with complex production schedules can achieve meaningful impact through flexible, sustainable production priorities.

The Day of the Jackal has become the biggest launch on Sky in over two years, drawing a record audience of 3m in its first week making it the biggest Sky Original ever.