The ‘no jet’ set: actors back campaign to cut climate impact of ‘celebrity riders’

Some stars insist on private jets, or a police escort to accompany their vehicles. George Clooney had a hot tub and beach hut installed next to his trailer. Rihanna demanded an animal print rug and “icy-blue chiffon” curtains. Many specify types of food, snacks, drinks and flowers.

But some of the UK’s best-known stars are now taking a stand against celebrity “riders” by backing a campaign to improve sustainability in the film and television industry.

More than 100 actors have agreed to consider and reduce the carbon impact of requirements or conditions attached to their contracts, known as riders.

They include Ben Whishaw, Mark Rylance, Harriet Walter, Juliet Stevenson, Gemma Arterton, David Harewood, Bill Nighy, Miranda Richardson, Paapa Essiedu, Bella Ramsey, Adrian Dunbar and Romola Garai.

Essiedu said: “This summer has brought into sharp focus the reality that climate disaster is not a problem of the future but one of the now. The accepted normal practices of the film industry are rife with waste and a lack of consciousness as to the damage we are causing our planet. But these practices can be challenged and changed.”

Rylance said the film industry was “notorious for its waste and unecological practices”, adding: “Just because we can’t do everything doesn’t mean to say we can’t do anything.”

Ramsey said: “We can make all the films in the world about climate change but unless we are environmentally conscious in the process of making them, our efforts are superficial.”

The Green Rider campaign will be launched by the actors’ union Equity at the Edinburgh international television festival on Tuesday.

Equity said it wanted to promote a “cultural shift” â€" one where status was “measured in positive influence, not climate-damaging perks”.

The initiative provides a framework for actors to use in negotiating better practices in the industry. They can add the green rider to their contracts to insist on a more sustainable approach.

They can also negotiate specific clauses, such as rejecting private air travel, insisting on electrically powered vehicles or low-carbon train travel, opting for non-exclusive trailers or dressing rooms to reduce energy use, and recycling sets and costumes.

Supporters of the campaign pledge to consider the environmental cost of food and comfort requests that require production runners to go off site.

Equity is in discussions with the BBC, ITV Studios and Sky Studios to pilot the initiative in forthcoming productions.

Danusia Samal and Will Attenborough, who are members of the Equity for a Green New Deal network and are leading the rider campaign, said: “We all know we’re in a crisis. What we don’t always see is the enormous power we have to change that.

“When art workers have come together, we’ve played our part in sparking major cultural shifts, from the 1980s boycott of Apartheid to #MeToo. During the pandemic, our industry adapted in ways we never imagined. We’ve done it before and are ready to do it again.

“By signing up to use the rider, you are joining a movement of people playing their part to green our industry, no longer measuring our value by the amount of resources we consume, but by positive influence and responsible behaviour. As striking actors and writers in the US are proving, we are a force to be reckoned with when we join together and demand better.”

During her Last Girl on Earth tour in 2010, Rihanna demanded 11 dressing rooms and offices, including one with a “6ft comfortable couch (wide enough for her to stretch out on and sometimes take a nap)”.

A “large throw rug must be plush and animal print … and CLEAN as she will walk on it barefoot”. Throw cushions must be “animal prints (cheetah, leopard) (NO sequins)”. Dark curtains should have “icy blue chiffon draped nicely on top/over”, the rider added.

While making the sci-fi film Gravity, Clooney reportedly had a hot tub, beach hut, decking area and basketball court installed close to his trailer at Shepperton studios in Surrey.

Beyoncé required her dressing room to be heated to 78F (25.6C) and for her bathroom to be stocked with a “minimum of four brand new white towels”.