UN Climate Change announced the establishment of the first Film and Television Steering Committee within its Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) alliance. The newly elected Committee members represent a diverse group of leaders from across the globe who bring a wealth of experience at the intersection of entertainment, culture, and climate action.
ECCA is convened by UN Climate Change to engage creative industries—such as film, music, and television—in the implementation of the Paris Agreement and Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). ACE aims to empower all members of society to engage in climate action through six key elements: climate change education, public awareness, training, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation.
Speaking about ECCA Film & Television, new Committee member Tamseel Hussain, CEO & Founder of PLUC.TV said, "We recognize the potential of the entertainment industry to inform and inspire global audiences to act on climate change. Through this Steering Committee, we aim to elevate narratives that champion climate solutions, resilience, and hope, while driving sustainability in the production process."
“Imagination is our ultimate renewable resource. This new committee will work to inspire the power of Film & TV to stir our hearts, thrill our senses and inspire action. Solving climate change is the greatest adventure story of our time”, said Solitaire Townsend, newly elected Committee member and Chair of Futerra Solutions Union. “Working with filmmakers across the world, I’ve learned that creators are inspired by climate solutions. This committee can help enhance that by capacity raising, collaborating and activating an industry driven by creativity.”
Culture plays a crucial role in climate action because it shapes the values, behaviours, and worldviews of communities, influencing how people understand and respond to environmental challenges. Through art, storytelling, music, film, and other cultural expressions, complex climate issues can be made relatable and emotionally impactful, inspiring individuals to take action.
The ECCA Film & TV Steering Committee will play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable production practices, fostering innovative collaboration, and supporting storytelling professionals who seek to inspire climate awareness and action through the narrative power of film and television.
Members of the 2024-2025 Film & Television Steering Committee include:
Emily Wanja (Kenya) – Director of African Programmes, Doc Society
Wanja is an award-winning impact producer dedicated to using storytelling as a tool for social change. She has a deep history of working with stakeholders across civil society, policy, and media to advance a climate-just future.
Lydia Dean Pilcher (USA) – Filmmaker, Cine Mosaic & Co-Chair, Sustainability Task Force, Producers Guild of America
Pilcher, an Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker, has worked extensively on integrating climate issues into cinematic narratives, partnering with studios, unions, and universities to foster clean energy transitions and climate-focused storytelling.
Rezwan Shahriar Sumit (Bangladesh) – Producer, mypixelstory
Shahriar’s films highlight the struggles faced by communities on the frontlines of climate change. His feature, *The Salt in Our Waters*, was showcased at major international climate conferences, including UN COP26.
Sam Read (USA) – Executive Director, Sustainable Entertainment Alliance
Read leads a consortium committed to reducing the environmental footprint of film and television production while inspiring sustainability through onscreen narratives.
Solitaire Townsend (UK & USA) – Chair, Futerra Solutions Union
Townsend is a sustainability communication pioneer who has championed environmentally conscious broadcasting. She played a key role in launching BAFTA’s Albert initiative and continues to advocate for sustainable lifestyles in the creative sector.
Tamseel Hussain (India) – CEO & Founder, People Like Us Create (PLUC.TV)
Hussain’s award-winning platform works with over 252000 storytellers, creators & creatives worldwide, particularly from the Global South, and builds authentic & hopeful narratives on climate through various storytelling formats, across digital and broadcast mediums.
UN Climate Change invites filmmakers, studios, and media professionals to join ECCA Film & Television and collaborate with the committee and members to innovate, share knowledge and take climate action.