The Sustainability Practitioners Internship Program (SPIP) is a multidimensional, capacity-building program that trains, certifies and advances sustainability professionals in Canada's arts and entertainment sector. Participants leave with the most current, comprehensive skills in sustainability and decarbonization, and a community to carry that work forward.
About the Program
Sustainable production doesn't happen by accident. It happens because someone on the production knows the tools, speaks the language of every department, and can turn good intentions into daily practice on set.
SPIP exists to grow that workforce. Delivered by the Sustainable Entertainment Society, with CBC as Lead Sponsor, the program is tuition-free and built for people who want to make sustainability their craft.
The curriculum brings recognized industry certifications together with bespoke sessions with industry experts specifically designed to fill the gaps. The result is a grounded, integrated understanding of sustainability and decarbonization from carbon analysis practical realities to communication that shifts habits in a crew
The Experience
From Fall2026 to Summer 2027 participants move through a mix of live virtual learning, self-directed certification and time in the room with the industry.
Live virtual sessions led by expert faculty who have built sustainability programs on production, from indie sets to major streaming series.
Industry certifications completed at your own pace and embedded in the curriculum.
Masterclasses that connect sustainability to storytelling, including how climate and nature show up on screen.
The Sustainability Production Forum, where participants join producers, studios, suppliers and sustainability leaders in person.
Mentorship and community that continue after the program ends, through practitioner meet-ups and an ongoing peer network.
Out-of-town participants may be eligible for travel support through the SPIP Travel Fund.
Outcomes
Graduates leave with industry-recognized certifications, a working knowledge of Canadian sustainability tools and standards, and the confidence to apply them on set and a network of peers and mentors who are building this field together.
For producers, SPIP means peace of mind. A SPIP-certified practitioner brings reliable skills and practical, current training to every production and project they support.
For the sector, SPIP is part of how Canada builds the workforce it needs to meet its climate commitments, one practitioner and one production at a time.
Cohort 2: Applications Closed
The Sustainability Practitioners Internship Program (SPIP) is made possible SPIP is made possible by partners who share our belief that a sustainable industry starts with skilled people:
Lead Sponsor: CBC
Program Partner: Telefilm Canada, Green Spark Group, Independent Production Fund, USGBC California
SPIP Travel Fund: Krypton Rental Group
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS:
2 Phases | One Growing Network
Phase 1: Fundamentals
October - December 2026
Phase 2: Advanced Learning & Production Placements
February - August 2027
Fall 2026
Build foundational literacy in sustainability frameworks, production practices, tools and guides, low carbon production, communications, and Canadian Industry standards.
SPIP Cohort 2 begins in October 2026 (Phase 1) through to Spring/Summer 2027 (Phase 2), with participants added to the national SPIP Directory once Phase 1 certification is complete.
Program also includes: SPIP directory, participation at SPF26 Horizons in Bloom, and SPF Virtual and the placement program.
Winter/Spring 2027 - Advanced Learning
Advanced Micro Sessions with homework and prep, plus Sustainability Saturdays community meetings for the cohort and alumni. 1x/month
Summer 2027 - Placements
In the field work experience, job shadowing, internship placements.
WHO IS THIS FOR:
SPIP is for early and mid-career professionals in Canada who want to lead the shift to low-carbon production. Some come from set life, as assistant directors, line producers or construction crew. Others arrive from architecture, environmental science or the circular economy, ready to bring what they know to the screen.
The program is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Participants are required to complete the following free virtual training during Phase 1:
*Recommended for French-speaking participants and/or those residing in Quebec.
SPIP Virtual sessions are led by Canada's leading sustainability practitioners, delivering classes and learning modules built specifically for the SPIP program.
Learning Topics:
Carbon calculation
Sustainable budgeting
Climate storytelling
Circular design
Cost-benefit analysis
Learning Topics:
On-set communications
Canadian policy frameworks
Prep-to-wrap greening
Broadcaster standards
Vendor and funder ecosystems