Storytelling for our future

Storytellers have a unique ability to catalyse change. The stories they chose to tell, whose voices and experiences are centred and the world they create can help audiences understand and respond to the climate crisis. What we see on screen influences what we believe is possible. 

BAFTA Albert supports the screen industries to create and embed climate content and sustainable storytelling on screen. We provide guidance, training programmes, tools and events empowering creatives to reflect climate realities in an authentic and accessible way, to entertain and engage audiences. This helps the TV and Film industry to play a meaningful role in shaping a more sustainable future.  

Think climate is an audience switch off, or something that would never get commissioned? Think again. 

Around 70% of people get their information from TV, making it one of the most powerful tools for shaping understanding and attitudes. Far from being niche or off-putting, climate themes can capture attention, spark emotion and make the issue feel relevant. Climate change is our present reality, and storytelling can reflect that with authenticity and depth. As Dorothy Fortenberry notes, “If climate change isn’t in your story, it’s science fiction.” 

And, it packs a punch. Dirty Business became Channel 4’s best performing factual drama on streaming since Help, with 2.4 millions viewers watching Episode 1, and 232 million minutes streamed. Crucially, it didn’t stop at viewing figures, it drove real world engagement from petitions with tens of thousands of signatures to its case being taught in classrooms across the country. Climate storytelling isn’t a risk, it’s an opportunity to engage audiences, spark conversation and drive action.