Greg Mothersdale is a Research and Development (R&D) Producer for Media Cymru, leading on our Green pillar. This Wales Climate Week (3 – 7 November 2025), he shares the positive activity happening in Wales towards building a more sustainable media sector.  

Supporting R&D of green products, services and processes

Rusty Design: Future Proof Props – Sustainable innovation for the Creative Industries 

Rusty Design is an innovative engineering company. They have progressed through Media Cymru’s Innovation Pipeline – starting with Seed funding, progressing to Development and then to Scale Up.  

They have demonstrated their commitment to sustainable prop development, both physically and virtually. It has been inspiring to witness their engineering skills solving challenges within the creative sector, and beyond. 

In this video, Rusty talk about their R&D journey leading to their latest Future Proof Props project:

On Par: Virtual Production 

Film and video production company, On Par, intend to revolutionise filmmaking in Wales by developing sustainable Virtual Production (VP) services, cutting carbon emissions.  

On Par have been collaborating with other Media Cymru projects – holding a test shoot at fivefold studios, featuring a 3D printed Formula One car, made by Rusty Design. There are so may positives to filming taking place in one studio location such as shoots being better prepared, more accessible and reduction of risks like delays due to poor weather, or logistic complexities for multi-location shoots.  

Afanti: Afango 

Afanti launched Afango at this year’s Urdd Gobaith Cymru Eisteddfod. Their new net zero initiative successfully powered their production, for Welsh language broadcaster S4C, via hydrogen generators using Welsh green hydrogen, advanced battery systems, mobile EV charging infrastructure, and responsibly sourced Hydrotreated vegetable oil (biofuel HVO). 

You can read more about this work on PDR’s website. PDR is a Media Cymru consortium partner working with Innovation Pipeline funded projects. 

The Protempod: Protem Lighting Ltd.

The Protempod project by Protem Lighting Ltd. developed a prototype battery mobile power unit (MPU) designed specifically for use in the screen sector.

The Protempod system provides a 100% clean uninterrupted power supply for filming, to replace dirty diesel generators. These units will make power planning much easier and lead to potential cost reductions through eliminating waste.

After a successful prototype, co-founders Ben Jenkins and Frances Jenkins are scaling up, starting the new company Protem Power Ltd. which is seeking investment to build the first commercial units. This is an exciting step towards a net-zero media sector in Wales and beyond. 

Wolf Studios Wales: Saving Water and Carbon 

Wolf Studios have been working with experts to complete a full audit of their building and install and trial a variety of different applications and technologies to reduce and recycle water. They hope to influence consumption culture and reduce the carbon footprint of the site.  

The implementation of simple changes has so far resulted in a 23% reduction in consumption (the equivalent of 1.1 million litres of water) in the year to March 31,2025 compared to the same period in 2023-2024. View a presentation about the project – thanks to Environment Platform Wales for hosting.

Enabling Sustainable Stories on Screen

BBC Cymru Wales: Content Innovation Fund – Climate Content  

We partnered with BBC Cymru Wales, funding five companies to research and develop ideas which tell innovative stories of the climate crisis, for TV and iplayer. Awarded companies include: 

• Carlam: exploring eco-friendly diets with Welsh audiences by investigating people’s shopping baskets with intrigue and humour 
• Joio Cyf: looking ahead to the climate crisis in Wales 2030 in a factual drama 
• Kailash FIlms: offering climate change solutions through comedy  
• Little Wander: a comedy talk show featuring Welsh community projects, innovative sustainable practices and light-hearted interviews that bridge entertainment and environmentalism 
• Teledu Telesgop Cyf: a landmark series demonstrating local and global effects of climate change on current familiar ‘lines’ – coastline, riverbeds, average temperatures, ocean currents etc. 

You can read more about the awarded projects.

Ffilm Cymru Wales: Climate Stories 

We also partnered with Ffilm Cymru Wales to support R&D projects for feature films or immersive experiences sharing impactful climate stories that stimulate action in fresh and compelling ways. Awarded companies and individuals include Joanna Wright (Tiny City), Richard Billingham, Ashley Leung and Remi Bumstead (Tiny House Creatives), Lowri Roberts and Maisie Williams (Rapt Pictures) and Gavin Porter.  

Learn more about the selected projects.

Both of these content-focussed projects had insights from climate experts, as well as dedicated time and support, to develop narrative concepts which embed a climate story in the action. I can’t wait to see how creative concepts from these projects lead to ideas on our screens in the future.  

Developing Green Skills and Training

Led by University of South Wales, Media Cymru’s Skills and Training programme links education, industry and infrastructure to build a sustainable talent base for the region’s screen sector. 

Sustainability Co-ordinator Training Programme 

This programme develops a sustainable talent base via brand new high-end TV sustainability coordinator training courses leading to placements on production.  

Read more about this training initiative including successes, challenges and next steps in this report. 

How to be a Greenlancer  

Greenlancer training, delivered by Picture Zero, was an engaging, straightforward guide on how freelancers can be more environmentally focussed and finance-savvy on a very personal level. 

Sustainable Events and Networking Opportunities

The sustainable culture and community in Wales is continuously developing. At Media Cymru, we are lucky to collaborate with partners such as Senior Research Officer Dr Katie Beverley at PDR, Innovation Specialist Robin Moore at Shwsh, Sustainability Manager Louise Dixey at Ffilm Cymru Wales and Andrew Tuite at Alacrity – each help to guide and encourage a more sustainable media community.

Creative Cuppa with Hope Solutions and Greenlancer Training

At Creative Cuppa, in collaboration with Creative Cardiff, we hosted events to promote sustainable practice in the creative sector in Wales.  

One event featured Hope Solutions, sustainability consultants working at the forefront of climate action in the media, entertainment, music and cultural industries with festivals and artists such as Glastonbury and Coldplay.  

The other event was a Greenlancer training session from Picture Zero, who have worked on Jurassic Park Rebirth and The People vs Climate Change. 

Find out more about these events.

Production Guild of Great Britain’s Sustainable Wales Event: Great Point Seren Studios 

The Production Guild of Great Britain’s (PGGB) Welsh Committee joined forces with Creative Wales, Media Cymru and Ffilm Cymru Wales to host a sustainability showcase.  

This inaugural Welsh sustainability event showcased sustainability in the region and gave individuals and companies the opportunity to meet, network and chat about becoming more sustainable and to learn about cutting-edge green technology suppliers in the region.   

Read more about this event.

Wales Screen Summit Green Panel 

Three of Media Cymru’s green projects gave engaging lighting talks, in front of broadcasters and streamers, confirming that there is a dedicated mainstream opportunity for sustainable discussion in the media. Watch the panel from the event. 

Ffilm Cymru Wales Greening the Screen: Chapter 

Ffilm Cymru Wales, Media Cymru and PDR celebrated Greening the Screen innovations and enjoyed a preview of a Climate Stories film from Butetown.  

Looking ahead to a sustainable future

Media Cymru has supported more than 30 innovation projects with primary objectives to improve the environmental impact of the media sector in Wales, via the development of new products, services, processes and content. Many of these address the recommendations in the Screen New Deal Transformation Plan for Wales, produced by the British Film Institute (BFI), BAFTA Albert and ARUP, in collaboration with Media Cymru, Ffilm Cymru Wales and Creative Wales.

Key takeaways from the plan include: 

1. Shifting to renewable energy
2. Rethinking transport 
3. Creating a circular approach to tackling waste of food and materials
4. Boosting information gathering, training and collaboration
5. Shifting culture 

You can read more about these takeaways and the recommendations on our website. 

2026 will be a real opportunity for Media Cymru to tell sustainable stories, showcase our activity and commitment so far, share best practice and spotlight a variety of green-focused projects creating impact in the sector.

There are R&D projects at early stages which will come to fruition, covering themes of technological advancement, biodiversity, circular economy, public transport and immersive content. 

The growing talent base of sustainability coordinators, upskilled crew base and sustainable supply chain will galvanise the screen sector culture.

Research will harness and promote the environmental, social and financial benefits of a sustainable sector. 

About Greg Mothersdale

Greg is a Research and Development producer for Media Cymru. He guides and supports a wide range of media innovation projects and leads the green pillar for the programme. Prior to this, he was a Producer for Clwstwr, one of the UK wide creative clusters. Greg has over 20 years’ experience of working in the creative sector, including film and TV production, performance and event management. He is also Co-Investigator on XR Network+ Virtual Production in the Digital Economy which is building a collaborative research community for the future of virtual production and creative technology.