At a recent London screening of Disney’s Snow White, guests were welcomed with an elaborate fantasy set, complete with a thatched cottage and animatronic forest animals. Over in Hollywood, a real rabbit dressed in a knitted jumper joined the red carpet. While the film promotes a message of harmony with nature, behind the scenes, its production told a different story.
New figures show that the UK-based filming of Snow White produced more greenhouse gas emissions than the most recent Fast & Furious movie—even though the latter is known for its fuel-hungry cars. Data gathered from over 250 Walt Disney Company filings reveals that Snow White and The Little Mermaid generated more pollution than any other Disney film shot in the UK since environmental reporting requirements were introduced in 2019.
These emissions figures only cover activity within the UK—where both films were made at Pinewood Studios—even though some scenes for The Little Mermaid and Fast & Furious were also shot in Italy and the US. Under UK government schemes designed to attract film productions, studios can reclaim up to 25.5% of local spending. To receive this support, production companies must submit detailed reports including costs and carbon output.
By the end of 2023, Disney had claimed back nearly £45 million for Snow White and just under £50 million for The Little Mermaid.
Carbon emissions are recorded in three categories or “scopes”:
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Scope 1 covers direct fuel use, such as generators on set.
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Scope 2 involves emissions from electricity.
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Scope 3 includes indirect emissions from suppliers and logistics.
For Snow White, emissions under scopes 1 and 2 totalled over 3,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). The Little Mermaid came in even higher at over 5,100 tonnes. Combined, these productions emitted more than Birmingham or Luton airports over a similar period. By comparison, Fast & Furious produced less in the UK alone, though some of its impact may not be included in the data due to filming abroad.
The higher numbers for Disney’s films can partly be explained by their reliance on on-location shooting, which increases the need for portable power. However, efforts were made to reduce the environmental footprint: production crews used battery-powered and hybrid generators, mains electricity from renewable sources, and electric vehicles. Charter flights were used only when more efficient than booking individual commercial seats.
Even so, the two films exceeded the annual carbon output of attractions like Blackpool Pleasure Beach and London’s O2 Arena—ironically, the site of the themed Snow White event.
Starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, the Snow White remake has faced several setbacks, including backlash over casting choices and creative direction. Financially, the film has also struggled. With production costs nearing $260 million and global box office revenue of around $145 million, it is expected to record a loss of over $100 million.