Coldplay, Warner Music and Live Nation have teamed up with the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology to undertake "a comprehensive study of the live music industry’s carbon footprint". The aim is to identify practical solutions to reduce the environmental impact of live music events at every level, from grassroots music venues through to arena and stadium shows and tours.
The band, and their label and promoter, will both co-fund and support the project, which will be led by Professor John E Fernandez, Director of MIT's Environmental Solutions Initiative.
"I applaud the spirit of openness and collaboration that will allow us to identify specific challenges in areas such as live event production, freight and audience travel, and recommend solutions that can be implemented across the entire industry to address climate change", says Fernandez.
Back in 2021, Coldplay announced they were introducing an assortment of measures on their Music Of The Spheres Tour with the aim of producing 50% fewer carbon emissions on that tour compared to their last global outing in 2016 and 2017.
In an update last summer, they said that they had managed to cut carbon emissions by 47% compared to their previous tour. Efforts to achieve this included running shows on renewable energy, reducing waste and plastic usage, and encouraging fans to travel to performances in environmentally-friendly ways.
“This is a good start – and something that our incredible crew should be very proud of”, they said. “But clearly there’s still room for improvement”.
Coldplay will share all of their learning with the academics at MIT, while Warner Music and Live Nation will likewise provide data and insight from their respective efforts to become more environmentally sustainable.
An initial report focused on the US and UK markets should be completed by July. It will include a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between live music and climate change, identify key areas where both industry and concertgoers can make tangible improvements to reduce emissions, and provide a detailed analysis of the latest developments in green technology and sustainable practices.
