LONDON, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- London Mayor Ken Livingstone launched on Tuesday 'Green Screen London', a program which will help film, TV and commercial producers cut climate change emissions in the British capital.

    Among the measures Livingstone pledged to make London one of the 'greenest' places to film in the world are establishing the current carbon footprint of the industry and identifying the best opportunities to become more energy efficient. The findings of this work will be considered at an industry conference which will be hosted at BAFTA later in the year. A Green Screen London advisory group will be set up to further develop the campaign.

    "London's film industry is already world class but today we are committing to set a new green standard. Everyone needs to play their part to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change, but people working in film and broadcasting are in a unique position to inspire and educate audiences of millions with this vital message," he said.

    Film London, the capital's film and media agency, through the London Filming Partnership, a unique partnership of private and public agencies involved in filming, will also develop the existing Code of Practice for location filming in London to include practical recommendations to help make shooting on location greener and cleaner.

    The agency already offers advice to all types of productions working in the city and will look at what additional support film crews will need to tackle climate change, including an online guide giving tips to productions on how to reduce energy use and recycle.

    Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London, said: "London is one of the world's great film cities. Film London through the London Filming Partnership has delivered a more film-friendly city, but like other industry sectors, the production industry has an important role to play in helping address the challenge of climate change. I hope this work will help raise awareness of the issues and provide practical solutions, so we can encourage environmentally friendly filming in the capital."

    Livingstone also announced that he is working with Film London to develop and implement a climate change action plan to help filming in London become more energy efficient, cut emissions and in doing so, save money.

    Supporting the campaign are some of the leading companies and names in the film, TV and commercial production sectors, including renowned director Anthony Minghella, UK Film Council, British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), Equity, Ealing Studios, 3 Mills Studios, the Production Managers Association, Advertising Producers Association, Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, and the Production Management Association.

    The initiative is part of a number of campaigns contributing to the Mayor's comprehensive London Climate Change Action Plan to cut the capital's emissions by 60 percent by 2025.

    London is the third busiest production center in the world after Los Angeles and New York and the London screen industries are worth over 13 billion pounds (Some 26 billion U.S. dollars) a year to the economy. Filming on the capital's streets has rocketed, with a 42 percent increase in filming days from 2003 to 2006. There are around 38 crews on the streets everyday.