Warner Music Group, Live Nation, and Coldplay have partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Environmental Solutions Initiative to conduct a comprehensive study of the live music industry’s carbon footprint.

The new report will suggest practical solutions to reduce the environmental impact of live music events at every level, from pubs and clubs through to stadiums.

The partnership will get underway with an initial research phase which will result in an Assessment Report of Live Music and Climate Change, focused on the UK and US markets. Anticipated to be completed in July 2024, the report aims to:

• Develop a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between live music and climate change.
• Identify key areas where the industry and concert-goers can make tangible improvements to reduce emissions and drive planet-positive outcomes.
• Provide a detailed analysis of the latest developments in green technology and sustainable practices.

MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative will utilise its expertise and resources to recommend scientifically-informed actions and policies that can be implemented and replicated across the entire live music industry to reduce its environmental footprint.

“I am delighted that we will be working with our partners to co-create recommendations for a sustainable future in music,” said MIT Professor John E. Fernandez, director of the ESI.

“As well as jointly funding the research, 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.”

Coldplay, who launched their current Music of The Spheres world tour with a pledge to cut emissions by 50%, have also made a world-first commitment to manufacture all physical records for their upcoming 2024 album from recycled plastic bottles.

Meanwhile, Warner Music Group is committed to lowering carbon emissions, reducing waste, and innovating to align with global efforts to tackle climate change. The company has already moved to innovate in the physical audio product production and distribution space through the large-scale release of Re-Vinyl for Coldplay’s Music of The Spheres album made of 100% recycled vinyl raw materials in 2022.

“This partnership represents WMG’s proactive approach to advancing industry-wide understanding of the climate impacts of the music industry and supporting our artists’ connections with fans worldwide,” said Olga LaBelle, WMG’s vice president, ESG, Strategy Integration and Operations.

“I’m pleased to be able to lend our scale and resources to further the industry’s understanding and approach to climate positive outcomes.”

Live Nation’s sustainability division – Green Nation – has, meanwhile, been readying its own venues and festivals to reduce carbon emissions, energy use, waste, and plastics. In 2022, it partnered with Coldplay and major public transportation providers to offer fans free or discounted rides to incentivise and encourage greener travel. The initiative supported a 59% average increase in public transport use on show days across four US cities.