Randal B.’s Post

The music industry is going big on sustainability! 🌲 The inaugural 'Music Sustainability Summit' is set to take place on the 5th of February 2024, where folks from the music industry will have discussions on "how the music industry is addressing, adapting to, and finding solutions for the climate crisis." We will just have to wait and see what discussions and action points come out of this particular summit. I hope they are executable steps that lead to change on the grassroots level rather than just a pledge to change something in the future. 📝 Also, yesterday, MIT's Environmental Solutions Initiative announced that it's partnering with Warner Music Group, Live Nation, and Coldplay to conduct a study on the live music industry's carbon footprint. The study, focusing on the U.S. and U.K., aims to provide insights into reducing emissions from live music events of all sizes, from small venues to stadiums. The Assessment Report of Live Music and Climate Change, expected by July, will offer recommendations for sustainability. 🗂️ Where does Coldplay fit into this entire equation? Well, they are one of the forefront voices promoting sustainability in the music world with their transparent sustainability reports from their Music of the Spheres World Tour, which mentioned that their tour has produced 47% fewer CO2 emissions than its previous tour and also planted 5 million trees, till June 2023. (Linking the website and their June 2023 sustainability update in the comments.) In addition to this, Coldplay has said that they will use recycled plastic bottles for manufacturing the physical version of their upcoming album set to launch in 2024. 💿 Thoughts? #ClimateChange #MusicIndustry #MusicBusiness #Fairplay #Perfunktory

🌍🎶 Let's Groove Green! 🌿 Did you know? The music industry churns out a whopping 540,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to what 60,000 households produce in a year. As a die-hard live music enthusiast, this fact hit close to home. But, I firmly believe that for real impact – be it sustainable, social, or financial – we must elevate our creativity and innovation to unprecedented heights. We need to embrace change fearlessly. That's why I'm thrilled to salute Live Nation Entertainment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Warner Music Group and Coldplay for taking the lead in addressing these environmental concerns. They're rolling up their sleeves, delving deep into the issues, and crafting green solutions that promise to redefine the way we experience live music. 🌟 As someone who's passionate about both music and sustainability, I can't wait to see the transformation that's on the horizon. The fusion of creativity and eco-consciousness is a melody worth listening to. PS. If you ever need some ideas for water solutions, don't hesitate to give Ly Company Spain - Aqualy a call and let's make change together! 🌊📞 #SustainableMusic #LiveNation #Innovation #GreenRevolution

There is an increased awareness in the global music industry as to how collectively it can help improve its environmental performance and an acknowledgement of the immense influence that the industry has globally to inspire and educate. The music industry’s relationship with ESG causes has been gaining ground over the last few years. Following COP26, music companies (such as Sony and Warner) signed up to the Music Climate Pact - committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support environmental causes. The band Coldplay pledged in 2021 to reduce the direct carbon emissions (from show production, freight, band and crew travel) by at least 50%. They have since reported that emissions from the first two years of this tour are 59% less than their previous stadium tour (2016-17), on a show-by-show comparison. This has been helped by various actions: - Installing kinetic floors and electricity-generating power bikes   - Using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for their flights and electric vehicles  - Incentivising fans to use low carbon transport - if a fan’s journey is rated as green, then they get a discount on merchandise K-Pop groups, which have conquered the world charts such as BTS (welcome back Jin!), Blackpink, Stray Kids, Shinee and Seventeen have global recognition and are using their popularity to inspire ESG initiatives. The K-pop group BTS opened the United Nations General Assembly as special envoys of the then President of South Korea with a speech on the need to fight climate change and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The quartet Blackpink were UN Ambassadors at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in 2021. They were invested as honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles of the United Kingdom to honour the group’s support for campaigns highlighting climate change. The entertainment agencies in South Korea that manage the K-pop groups and artists are also stepping up their activities regarding ESG. All four of the largest agencies: HYBE, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment publish ESG reports, with a shout out to JYP who have been publishing since 2021 and the first entertainment company to join RE100 (renewable energy certification). As important as the E (in ESG), are the S and G – and the JYP reports explain in detail the ESG Pillars they have adopted, Change for Dreamers, Change for the Planet and Change for the Society. All these companies have published voluntarily and have not waited until pushed by regulation. They recognise the value to their customers and stakeholders in being highly transparent and approaching ESG in a sensible and pragmatic way. If you would like some guidance as to how to put in place your ESG framework and strategy, our consultants at EMG would be delighted to talk with you. #Coldplay #JYPentertainment #hybe #SMentertainment #YGentertainment

Had a blast representing REUSO at the Music Sustainability Alliance Summit in LA! Music is not only a huge passion of mine, it’s also a powerful vehicle that can create systemic change for a better future. A few fun facts to share from the event for broader awareness on what’s at stake and action to take: 🍺4B single use cups are thrown away at live events in America each year. 📊There is a massive disconnect between the majority of those over 45 years of age that believe reuse at scale is impossible, while those under 45 are requesting reuse as the norm. 🌎72% of people that attend music shows care about climate. 💪🏼Of those 72%, over 78% have taken action on climate. 🎤We are past the era where fans want to see artists “shut up and sing”. 🎶 40% of fans find artists more inspiring if they talk about climate. “Action is the antidote of hopelessness” Fans - request reuse at your favorite venues. Artists - request reuse on your rider. All - ask for data on where your recycling and composting is actually going (at home, work, shows, etc) - you’ll likely be surprised. ♻️For reuse, prove economic and environmental ROI via return rates on reusable food and drink ware. From artists making hip hop records focused on the 17 United Nations sustainability development goals to music being encrypted in glass, I left the event inspired to continue to pave the way for reuse in Chicagoland and beyond!

The music industry has an important role to play in climate action efforts (play here has multiple meanings). And despite its environmental footprint, "about 75% of a concert’s carbon footprint is from fans traveling to and from the venue, not from musicians." Creating cities that are music-friendly, musician-friendly, and music-fans-friendly requires city-wide strategies that goes beyond the music industry. Those are the challenges that #UNESCO #CreativeCitiesNetwork is trying to address. As a #CityofMusic how can we leverage the arts to co-create sustainable and inclusive cities? #LondonCityofMusic https://lnkd.in/gEyihBNX https://lnkd.in/gEyihBNX

ClimeCo and the Music Sustainability Alliance are pleased to share the results of their recent study on the state of sustainability in the live music industry. Their research engaged more than 50 influential stakeholders, including tour managers, promoters, record labels, venues, production managers, non-profit organizations, festival operators, and others, through in-depth personal interviews. The findings shed light on present challenges, successes, and areas of opportunity, including drivers, barriers, and emerging sustainability focus areas shaping the narrative of the live music industry. The entertainment industry is one of the most important and influential drivers of climate action. We are pleased to share the findings in our latest press release. View it here: https://lnkd.in/gx6P8iuz #ClimeCo #MusicIndustry #LiveMusic #MusicBusiness #Concerts #Festivals #Touring #Venues #EntertainmentIndustry #ESG #Sustainability #SustainableMusic #WasteReduction #CleanEnergy #CarbonFootprint #PlasticFootprint #ClimateChange

This is actually pretty cool. I think the music industry has a vested interest (especially after seeing the effects of recent years) in doing their part to make sure they’re not contributing to climate change. Live music is what it’s about, but if it isn’t safe for concertgoers then there may be issues for the future of live music. Would be interesting to see what kinds of data could be combined to gather insights in this area, and what potential job opportunities could arise from these initiatives to make effective and meaningful change

Australia’s creative industries were among the hardest hit by COVID-19, but 2024 marks a pivotal moment in their resurgence.Thanks to targeted grants and recovery programs, visionary artists and musicians are leading this transformation, rebuilding, innovating, and reconnecting with audiences in ways that transcend past challenges. For me, this resurgence is personal. COVID-19 didn’t just cause a global crisis; it shattered my world. I lost the family business that had been our foundation. My son’s work in entertainment came to a halt, and many in the creative community saw their livelihoods vanish. The heart of our creative space was torn apart, leaving us financially devastated and emotionally adrift. We had to rediscover ourselves without the work that had defined us. PalaScribe was born from this struggle. I saw talented people searching for more than just new jobs, they needed their stories told. They needed to articulate their worth, vision, and potential in a world suddenly deaf to creativity. Empowering artists, musicians, and creatives to find their voice and stand out, has become my mission. Receiving the Global Recognition Award highlighted the impact PalaScribe has made in helping artists reclaim their creative space. Programs like Revive Live have been lifelines. With $8.6M allocated to support live music venues in 2024-2025, it’s about more than keeping venues open, it’s about creating career pathways for artists and ensuring that our creative voices thrive. Yet, challenges remain. Live Music Australia has committed $2.5M to festival recovery, but long-term sustainability is uncertain. A recent inquiry into Australia’s live music sector emphasised the need for fair pay and sustainable venues. Artists need lasting change, stable income, fair conditions, and recognition of the arts as economic and social drivers. The arts don’t just reflect society, they are its heartbeat. They fuel innovation, inspire growth, and, most importantly, they heal. During the pandemic’s darkest moments, when we felt lost, it was music, art, and storytelling that brought us back to life. These same forces will drive our collective healing as we rebuild. Through PalaScribe, my goal is to help creatives thrive. Whether through grant writing, portfolio creation, or telling compelling stories that secure funding, my mission is to amplify the voices of those who fuel the creative economy. I know this responsibility well, having rebuilt after losing everything. Looking forward, I am committed to mentoring those who, like me, had to start over. It was mentorship, guiding and uplifting, that helped me create something meaningful. Every grant and portfolio crafted is about reclaiming our stories. It’s about showing the world that creativity will always rise again. This is my story, the story of the artists and musicians reshaping Australia’s creative landscape, and the story of PalaScribe, a platform built on the belief that through storytelling, we thrive.

A new standard for the music industry: I hadn't put these two together yet, but it sure makes sense: Coldplay's groundbreaking move in setting a new bar for sustainability in the music industry during their 'Music of the Spheres' world tour, involving: * kinetic dance floors (where audience jumping powers batteries for lighting) * bikes (for the same effect) * a tourable battery system * funding two solar-powered “ocean cleanup river interceptors” * a tree planted for every ticket sold (7 million) * using public transport (rockstar arriving by train to Cardiff!) "Coldplay’s success in lowering its carbon footprint has established a new standard for sustainability in the music industry. Their creative techniques and dedication to eco-friendly procedures show that large-scale events can be both enjoyable and environmentally responsible. As more artists and bands attempt to follow suit, Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour is a striking example of how the business may move toward a more environmentally friendly future." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gj7fMctT

In my latest article, I explain how the music industry using its cultural influence to promote sustainability can be crucial to catalyze meaningful change and contribute to the emergence of a more environmentally conscious culture. I also present some examples of artists as catalyst leaders and known good practices in the industry. Thanks, B Lab U.S. & Canada