As the music industry prepares to gather next week in Los Angeles for discussions on how to tackle climate change in the sector, a new initiative to better understand the scope of the challenge is underway.
On Monday (January 29), MIT's Environmental Solutions Initiative announced that it is launching a comprehensive study of the carbon footprint of the live music industry. Co-funded and supported by Warner Music Group, Live Nation and Coldplay, the report will propose solutions to reduce the environmental impact of live music events in all sizes of venues, from, according to a statement, “pubs and clubs to stadiums ».
Focused on the US and UK markets, the partnership will begin with an initial research phase, with the resulting Live Music and Climate Change Assessment Report expected to be completed by July.
The report aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between live music and climate change, identify key areas where the industry and concertgoers can make tangible improvements to reduce emissions, promote positive outcomes and provide detailed analysis of latest developments in green technology and sustainable practices.
“I am delighted that we will be working with our partners to co-create recommendations for a sustainable future in music,” says Professor John E. Fernandez, director of ESI at MIT. “In addition to co-funding research, I welcome the spirit of openness and collaboration that will enable us to identify specific challenges in areas such as live event production, freight transport and audience travel and propose solutions that can be applied across the industry. tackling climate change”.
Coldplay have also committed to making all physical records for their upcoming 2024 album from recycled plastic bottles, which a statement said is the first initiative of its kind.
Coldplay is a long-time sustainability leader, with the band saying last June that they are Music Of The Spheres The tour has so far produced 47% less CO2 emissions than its previous tour and that it has planted five million trees to date.
With fan travel being one of the biggest carbon contributors to the music industry, in 2022 the band partnered with Live Nation and major transit providers to offer fans free or discounted rides to promote more sustainable travel. One study found that this initiative promoted an average 59% increase in public transit ridership on trade show days in four US cities.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/business/touring/coldplay-warner-music-live-nation-concert-climate-study-1235591354/
