How Coldplay Is Redefining What Sustainability Means for Music Concerts

What if a music concert was created with sustainability as a priority? Coldplay is showcasing just how significant a difference this could make in their new Sustainability Update from their Music of the Spheres World Tour. Their ambitious goal was to "cut the tour’s direct emissions by more than 50%" and in reviewing the June 2023 Sustainability Update Report, it is impressive how wide ranging and intentional their program is. 

• The band is reducing their CO2 footprint by using electric vehicles and only booking air travel on commercial flights (no private jets).
• The stage production is powered by solar panels, low-energy LED screens, and kinetic floors are used to convert fan dancing into energy that power the show.
• Reusable LED wristbands are distributed to fans and app-based rewards offer discounts to fans who choose low-carbon travel to get to the show.
• The band also asks venues to provide water refill stations for fans who bring their own bottles, aerated taps, low-flushing toilets and reduced water pressure to reduce water wastage.

All these choices are having an impact. So far, their efforts have resulted in a "47% reduction in direct CO2e emissions compared to their previous 2016-2017 tour on a show-by-show basis." Not that far off their goal. Perhaps more importantly, they are showing the entire industry what is possible when sustainability becomes a priority for large-scale music concerts, instead of just a feel-good afterthought.