It is no secret that our global carbon footprint is increasing, with record-high carbon emissions and atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases recorded in 2024, representing the largest annual increase since modern measurements began. And while it may feel like our individual climate footprint is minimal, that doesn’t mean we can afford to ignore the impact it has had on our environment.
After all, it is human emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which are the key culprits behind the global temperature rise we have seen and will continue to see if we don’t act. But as photographers, what does this mean for us and what can we do to be more eco-conscious in our work?
Why Sustainability Matters More Than Ever
It’s more important than ever to practice sustainable photography workflows. As photographers, we all share a collective responsibility during our work to minimise the disruption it can cause to the delicate ecosystems around us. After all, a large part of photography is about capturing the essence of the world around us, without altering it in a way that is inherently harmful.
Furthermore, it is also worth remembering that the equipment we use as photographers does indeed play a notable part. Film stock chemicals, data storage, and the cameras themselves are not always as energy efficient as they could be.
While it is true that many areas of improvements to our global footprint are dependent on government policy and an efficient management strategy, the good news is that in the photographical world at least, there are many concrete practices and stable solutions – but what do some of these look like?
Choosing Eco-Conscious Gear & Packaging
One of the most reliable methods to combatting eco-harm in the line of photography is to choose camera gear and equipment that has been manufactured in a way that is either sustainable or encourages sustainable practices. Peak Design are a great example of this practice. They are a carbon-neutral company who specialise in producing sustainably made products, all of which come with a lifetime warranty as standard.
This is extra beneficial as it means you will likely never need to buy the same product of theirs twice. Peak Design’s products are designed to help pack and protect your photography equipment. Their primary products include camera straps and clips, camera bags, tripods, etc.
Their Everyday Line backpacks are particularly recommended due to their organization benefits, as they have been built as a dual-purpose camera bag and everyday bag. Additionally, they also offer camera straps which are highly-regarded for their premium build quality and endurance. Their camera straps come equipped with an Anchor Link attachment system, allowing a quick and easy connection and detachment.
Whether you are a professional or casual photographer, these are a worthwhile investment as they are easy to secure and they will allow you to effortlessly remove the camera strap when you would prefer to go handheld or use a tripod.
Powering Shoots with Solar & Rechargeables
Of course, it is one thing to protect and organize your camera equipment in a sustainable and stylish fashion, but what about the technology itself? After all, like all portable electronics, cameras will at some point need to return to a socket to power up, and it is no secret that many current cameras are excessively power hungry, due in part to the advanced complexities and demands of modern hardware. So, with energy consumption in mind, what is the best product to use?
Well, Eneloop batteries are a great choice for minimising environmental harm as they are manufactured with an eco-friendly approach, and all of their products are packaged in cardboard rather than plastic, and come pre-charged by solar energy. Made by Panasonic, Eneloop batteries are rechargeable and a great alternative to disposable ones, which are very harmful to the environment when disposed of.
Eneloop provide a steady flow of voltage until the battery is depleted, unlike traditional dry cells that can stop working before the battery is completely flat. Furthermore, they come in three different variations, meaning there is a battery suited for every kind of use. Eneloop Pro rechargeable batteries, for example, are brilliant for high drain products. They retain roughly 85% of their charge after one year, and can be recharged up to 500 times. The other two in the range, Eneloop and Eneloop Lite are great choices for mid to low powered products.
Minimising Environmental Impact in Editing and Sharing
One area that is all too easy to overlook is the post-production and uploading side. Modern hardware and editing programmes can be surprisingly demanding to run, and as anyone who has ever exported a video project at 4K will tell you, it can be quite the task to render frames and images at such a high resolution.
Other processes like uploading, downloading and distributing files, all contribute to the carbon footprint of video and photo production. In fact, it is estimated today that internet use accounts for approximately 3.7% to 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure comparable to the airline industry. These emissions are generated by data centres, networks, and the production and disposal of electronic devices like cameras for example.
To minimise your carbon footprint, consider shooting your projects at a lower resolution unless it is absolutely necessary for the final product. Avoid sending large image attachments and only include necessary recipients to lower the carbon footprint of each email. Additionally, you may have unnecessary files from previous projects which could be deleted from storage to lower energy consumption rates.
You should also consider travel arrangements for your shoots. Getting to your chosen locations can be a task when trying to offset emissions. Consider car sharing or only travelling to places that are local to you. If you must travel, consider using public transport or a hybrid vehicle. To conclude, there are so many ways that we can adopt eco-friendly workflows.
From maximizing the longevity of our camera gear and equipment by buying from reliable brands with a climate-friendly focus like Peak Design and Eneloop, to even purchasing pre-owned cameras that have plenty of life left in them instead of buying shiny new ones.
And furthermore, many older, mechanical cameras and lenses often have a simpler design and can be more durable, so it is worth checking them out as you could even same yourself some cash in the long run. When it comes to printing your work should you deem it necessary, opt for recycled paper, eco-friendly inks, and sustainable packaging from suppliers who also share a climate-friendly production process.
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