Environmental statement [WEEK 2]

Luna Moth Environmental Statement

The  members of Luna Moth Studios, have all individually taken steps towards making our practices more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Working in the games industry does mean that there are some unavoidable potentially unsustainable practices, However we have taken steps to minimise these issues as much as possible. There are several ways we have done this, some of which include:

- Limiting screen time to only necessary usage. Whilst using PCs or tablets is a necessary part of our industry we can lessen the amount of energy we are using by turning off devices when not in use and only using more power hungry devices such as personal computers when absolutely necessary. When doing research or compiling information on our team spaces we try to use mobile devices as to reduce the amount of power we consume.

- Using traditional supplies in an efficient way. If a project calls for traditional sketches to be utilized, we will try to efficiently use our supplies that both allows us to make a good end product whilst also using as few materials as possible. For example, when using a sketchbook or paper, we will use the entire page to its capacity before reaching for another page. This reduces waste and, whilst minimally, does reduce the need for as much deforestation to create the paper.

- Using recycled materials. In some cases we have opted to use recycled art materials such as books made from recycled paper and plastic bottles, pens made from recycled plastic and compostable notebooks. This also helps in reducing waste and encourages the recycling process.

- Reducing carbon footprint by communicating online rather than taking long car journeys. Where possible our team opts to communicate using apps such as Microsoft Teams and Discord to discuss ideas relating to the project. Whilst some journeys are required on the days we must attend university, we minimise fuel usage by opting to use online methods instead.

In conclusion, whilst we cannot completely remove the usage of power hungry devices and long car journeys, we have tried in our best power to reduce our impact on the environment. By putting these practices into motion we can feel confident that we have done our part to help make the games industry more sustainable in the long run.

Disclaimer - I very vaguely used ChatGPT to structure this environmental statement, whilst the content and the overall writing of the statement is my own, i used ChatGPT to give me the vague points that i should cover. I did inevitably redact a lot of points that the prompt gave me as i felt it did not seem relevant to our personal practices. I will include the AI generated response below for comparison to my own work and for transparency.

"Environmental Commitment Statement for the Games Industry"

"At [Company Name], we recognize the critical importance of protecting our planet and are committed to making a positive environmental impact within the gaming industry. As creators, developers, and distributors of interactive entertainment, we acknowledge our responsibility to reduce our environmental footprint while fostering sustainability in all areas of our business.

1. Reducing Carbon Emissions We are committed to minimizing the carbon footprint of our operations by adopting renewable energy sources, optimizing energy efficiency, and reducing waste throughout the game development process. We aim to transition our offices, data centers, and operations to renewable energy and are exploring ways to reduce the environmental impact of game downloads and server usage.

2. Sustainable Product Development From the early stages of design to the final release, we are working to integrate environmentally conscious practices into the life cycle of our games. This includes:

Sustainable Materials: Where physical media is necessary, we aim to use eco-friendly materials for packaging and physical products, including recycled or biodegradable materials.

Digital Distribution: Encouraging digital game distribution to reduce the need for physical discs and packaging.

Efficient Code Development: Optimizing game code to reduce processing power requirements, lowering the energy consumption of devices and servers used by players.

3. Responsible Supply Chain Practices We are committed to ensuring that the entire supply chain, from our hardware partners to our distributors, adheres to sustainable practices. We will work with suppliers who share our environmental values, prioritizing the use of responsibly sourced materials and ensuring that our products are manufactured in energy-efficient, low-impact facilities.

4. Green Offices and Operations We strive to make our offices and production environments as environmentally friendly as possible by:

Reducing waste and promoting recycling and composting in the workplace.

Implementing energy-saving technologies and practices, such as smart lighting and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Encouraging remote work and virtual collaboration to reduce travel-related carbon emissions.

5. Engaging the Gaming Community As a leader in the gaming industry, we recognize the influence and reach we have within the global community. We are dedicated to using our platforms to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire change. We aim to partner with environmental organizations and participate in global initiatives to promote sustainability within the gaming culture.

6. Long-Term Sustainability Goals Looking forward, we are setting clear sustainability targets and committing to transparent reporting. These include:

Achieving carbon neutrality by [target year].

Reducing energy consumption in data centers and game servers by [percentage] by [target year].

Increasing the use of recycled or sustainably sourced materials in all physical products by [target year].

Conclusion The challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation require urgent action. At [Company Name], we are committed to evolving and improving our environmental practices in every aspect of game development and distribution. By innovating sustainably, reducing our impact, and advocating for positive change, we aim to ensure that the games industry contributes to a greener, more sustainable future. "

What is an Environmental Statement? :

An environmental Statement is a document created by a studio that details how they can take steps to be a more sustainable and environmentally friendly company. It states their practices and how they reduce the overall impact on the environment. A document like this can also help identify areas that may need more attention so that the studio can propose a plan to improve their sustainability.