Screen Actors Guild Awards to receive Environmental Media Association's 2013 EMA Green Production Award

EMA will present the honor to the SAG Awards committee Chairwoman JoBeth Williams at the 23rd Annual Environmental Media Awards on Oct. 19

The Environmental Media Association has announced the Screen Actors Guild Awards as an honoree for the EMA Green Production Award at the 23rd Annual Environmental Media Awards. The organization will be honored during the annual EMA Awards reception on Saturday, Oct. 19, at an event held at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.

The Environmental Media Association is recognizing the production's outstanding efforts to implement sustainable initiatives and promote environmental awareness. This honor will provide recognition for the SAG Awards amongst its peers for the strides the organization has taken in incorporating green practices.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards are being recognized for its ability to surpass its green efforts year after year by adopting such practices as neutralizing carbon emissions and providing clean/green power for various SAG Awards lighting and electrical needs. Environmental partner Patagonia Sur, over the past two years, planted 3,517 native-species trees in a "SAG Awards Forest" in Patagonia, Chile, offsetting 1.759 tons of CO2. Portable power suppliers Saunders Electric, Altergy, Multiquip and DOE/Sandia National Labs brought zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell-powered mobile lights funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to the SAG Awards. Hydrogen fuel cells also generated power for red carpet security monitoring devices, computers and other electronics.

The SAG Awards production team included a comprehensive recycling and composting program, a local and organic menu, a no-idling zone around the Shrine Auditorium, an online digital press kit, iTunes distribution for many films, electronic balloting options, reused stage components, red carpets and sustainable procurement. The SAG Awards' dedication to reducing the Awards' environmental footprint has allowed it to achieve a nearly zero-waste event. In addition, the SAG Awards limit production printing and using double-sided printing wherever possible.

SAG-AFTRA, which presents the SAG Awards, is also committed to greening its headquarters in Los Angeles, and has implemented a progressive program to reduce the environmental footprint of the organization's office operations.

Since its inception in 1991, the Environmental Media Awards has evolved into a prestigious event, honoring individuals and organizations, as well as films, television productions and creative teams that increase public awareness of environmental issues.

The SAG Awards is the only special event to have received the EMA's Green Seal recognizing a production's outstanding efforts to implement sustainable initiatives and promote environmental awareness for four consecutive years (2009-12)

Environmental Media Association has worked with the SAG Awards on the greening efforts for more than five years, said EMA President Debbie Levin. "They have continued to raise the bar each year with new innovations and their commitment to a sustainable production, so it is extremely gratifying to honor them with the EMA Green Production Award."

SAG Awards committee Chairwoman JoBeth Williams, who will receive the Green Production Award on behalf of the SAG Awards at the EMA reception, said, "We are grateful for the Environmental Media Association's continued guidance and support as we have developed our sustainable practices. We are deeply honored by EMA's recognition of our commitment to produce an environmentally responsible television event."

The Oct. 19 event will also showcase film and television programs that have carried a positive, environmentally friendly message in the past season. A full list of EMA Award Nominees will be made available at www.ema-online.org.

The 2013 EMA Awards are presented by Toyota and Lexus.