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Record labels sign up to Music Climate Pact
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 14 December 2021
A new initiative to reduce the carbon emissions of the global music industry, the Music Climate Pact, has launched. Initiated by the UK’s Association Of Independent Music in partnership with UK record labels association the BPI, signatories include all three major labels, as well as independents like Beggars Group, BMG, Ninja Tune, Secretly Group and Warp.
Developed with the UN Environmental Programme, the Pact aims to align efforts already being made by music companies to reduce the environmental impact of the industry. Aiming to be collaborative among companies that are often seen as rivals, it provides shared goals and targets.
Founding signatories now have until February 2022 to sign up to either the Science Based Targets Initiative or the UN-backed Race To Zero SME Climate Commitment. This will see the companies work directly with climate experts and set targets on which they will report regularly. Members also commit to sharing data, insights and resources with each other, as well as providing support for artists to engage and speak up about climate issues.
AIM says it expects hundreds more music companies to sign up to the Pact by June next year. The initial signatories are Anjunabeats, Beggars Group, BMG, Brownswood Recordings, Full Time Hobby, Inside Recordings, !K7 Music, Ninja Tune, Secretly Group, Sony Music, Universal Music, Warner Music and Warp.
In addition to this, there is a list of ‘Supporters’ – mainly trade bodies – which commit to aid in the achievement of the Pact’s goals. They are: AIM, A2IM, BPI, EarthPercent, IFPI, IMPALA, Julie’s Bicycle, Key Production, Music Declares Emergency and WIN.
“The climate crisis is the single greatest challenge facing the world’s population”, says AIM CEO Paul Pacifico. “No single business can solve this global threat on their own and it has been inspirational to see so much of the global music sector come together to take action”.
“This Pact builds on the amazing work already underway by individual businesses of all sizes, and brings the knowledge sharing and cross collateralisation needed to effect substantive change”, he continues. “I would like to thank the Pact’s supporters and partners and look forward to welcoming more businesses to the Pact and helping them deliver on its commitment”.
Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive of the BPI, adds: “The music community must take a leadership position on this most urgent of issues to support the work already being progressed by record labels to make their operations more sustainable. It means not just taking our own effective and coordinated industry action to respond to the climate crisis, but using the power of music to help inspire others in effecting meaningful change”.
Find out more about the Music Climate Pact here.
