The touring industry has reflected on a year of “leading by example” on sustainability as it marks Earth Day 2025.

A global movement highlighting the importance of environmental protection, Earth Day launched in the US in 1970 and is celebrated on 22 April each year.

The annual event has given the business a chance to take stock of its progress on green issues following a significant 12 months, which included Massive Attack’s pioneering Act 1.5 show in their native Bristol last August. Held on Clifton Downs, the AEG-backed 32,000-cap concert was powered by 100% renewable energy and broke a world record for producing the lowest ever carbon emissions.

The band are also set to deliver a 100% battery-powered festival headline set during the inaugural LIDO Festival in London this summer, and will build on the sustainability methods first trialled in Bristol with a weekend of live music at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena between 28-30 November this year.

Claire O’Neill, co-founder of A Greener Future (AGF) – which was responsible for advanced planning, on-site sustainability management and coordination, post-event analysis and reporting for the Bristol gig – credits the live music sector for showing the way forward.

“2024 has been a year of leading by example,” she tells IQ. “We were a part of the world record-breaking low carbon show, Massive Attack Act 1.5 Climate Action Accelerator, which was 100% plant-based for audience, crew and artists, 100% powered by battery charged by green tariff grid, and with extra trains and EV buses laid on for audience transport.

“Act 1.5 subsequently collaborated with Liverpool City and the UN to create the global initiative UN Accelerator City for Climate Action, which encourages city-wide collaborative action through TV, film and the live sector.”

“There’s been incredible progress over the past year”

O’Neill praises Grid Faeries x Ecotricity for getting festivals and event sites “off diesel and onto grid”, while providing 1MW battery power that can entirely power large main stages, including the Arcadia Dragonfly at Glastonbury, Womad and Massive Attack’s Bristol gig. In the UK, the Live Events Energy Scheme (LEES) was launched with LIVE, Ecotricity and AGF for the live sector to collectively purchase renewable energy.

In addition, O’Neill references AGF’s Annual Festival Sustainability Insights, which showed that more festivals across Europe are going plant-based, and that the equivalent emissions of food and drink can be more than 30% of the entire event impact, including travel, and can be drastically reduced by eliminating meat and dairy.

UK trade body LIVE also announced a groundbreaking sustainability initiative aimed at driving the adoption of greener working practices across the board. The scheme introduced a contractual clause template for artists booking contracts, with the goal of galvanising industry-wide action and transforming the environmental impact of live events.

Battery-powered shows have also been embraced by artists including Billie Eilish, Bruce Springsteen, Lukas Graham and Dave Matthews Band, festivals such as Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and venues including the Netherlands’ Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Live Nation’s Electric Picnic powered its main stage with 100% renewable energy from the grid, while hydrogen power units were deployed at Latitude, Openair Frauenfeld, and Isle of Wight for zero-emission electricity

“There’s been incredible progress over the past year, which we’ve witnessed firsthand across our festivals,” says a Live Nation spokesperson. “Throughout all our festivals we’ve also increased the use of HVO biofuel and expanded grid connection to eliminate fossil fuel-powered generators.

“We’re also seeing more industry-wide collaboration. Our involvement in the Green Events Code of Practice has helped create practical guidelines for event organisers, while Festival Republic’s support of the The Show Will Go On report is giving festivals and promoters the tools they need to improve their sustainability efforts – setting achievable standards and a 2030 transition plan that everyone in the industry can follow.”

“Every day seems to bring a new initiative or report focusing on the events industry, and there have been some major strides taken”

The spokesperson adds that German festivals Splash! and Melt were selected to take part on the ECO2CONCERT research project funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and Transport to develop an innovative energy and mobility planning and monitoring platform for music festivals.

Sam Booth, who was appointed as AEG Europe’s first director of sustainability in 2023, has been heartened by developments in the field.

“Every day seems to bring a new initiative or report focusing on the events industry, and there have been some major strides taken with events like Act 1.5 taking place,” he says. “Whilst there remains some significant headwinds, there is still plenty of hugely encouraging work happening and that’s enough to look to the future with confidence.”

In terms of the remainder of 2025, Booth is calling for the utilisation of new technologies like batteries, and products such as Notpla plastic-free packaging to help “hack the traditional event ecosystem without altering the fan experience”.

Live Nation is pushing forward on two fronts – decarbonisation and waste reduction. Efforts to reduce its carbon emissions include rolling out LED lighting across its venues, exploring solar options, and getting more festivals connected to the grid and powered by HVO biofuel.

“We’re also prioritising waste reduction through improved campsite awareness campaigns for festivalgoers and smarter onsite sorting to boost our recycling efforts,” adds a company spokesperson.

“Faster action is needed to move away from burning fuel to reduce costs and prevent further climate change and air pollution”

Top of O’Neill’s priorities, meanwhile, is to increase the plant-based food consumed and served at events.

“Industrial animal agriculture is one of the main drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss,” she says. “Going plant-based significantly reduces our negative environmental impact, whilst not costing anything.”

O’Neill also stresses the need to strengthen partnerships and collaboration with governments, local authorities and other key industries to “accelerate effective and affordable change”.

AGF today released its Low Emission Festivals Report, which revealed the current status and future trends in the use of power at festivals. Key takeaways include that nearly 70% of survey respondents indicated they are working to reduce energy consumption and festivals are adopting hybrid battery systems, transitioning to grid power and using more energy-efficient equipment like LED lights.

Other findings were that 76% of festivals still use diesel generators; high costs and logistical challenges were obstacles to implementing sustainable energy solutions; and festivals engage with power providers too late to optimise their energy consumption.

“We’ve known for more than a decade that event power requirements are over specified – meaning they make inefficient use of generators – and have been aware of the need to use low carbon alternatives, yet despite this, progress has been slow,” says O’Neill. “Faster action is needed to move away from burning fuel to reduce costs and prevent further climate change and air pollution.

“This report provides insight for organisers and power providers to work collaboratively for these outcomes, in an equitable and sustainable way.”

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Emma Bownes has been promoted to senior vice president of venue programming across AEG’s European venues.

In her expanded role, Bownes will lead programming strategy and implementation for AEG Europe’s arena portfolio, The O2 in London, Hamburg’s Barclays Arena, Berlin’s Uber Arena, and Uber Eats Music Hall.

With 25 years in the sector, Bownes joined AEG in 2010 and has held multiple roles, ultimately heading the programming team responsible for curating commercially successful and innovative event calendars across AEG Europe’s venues.

She also serves as a board member for the UK charity Music Venue Trust, where she champions grassroots venues and advocates for the next generation of talent.

In 2024, she was appointed an ambassador for the Young Voices Foundation, where she played a key role in sponsoring local schools to participate in performances at The O2, underscoring her commitment to music education and talent development.

“I’m excited by the road ahead and thankful to be part of a fantastic and talented team”

“At AEG, our vision is to be the best-in-class live entertainment business and Emma’s work is fundamental to this,” says John Langford, chief operating officer, AEG Europe.

“Under her direction, we’ve been able to deliver a record-breaking number of shows and ticket sales for multiple years now. Her elevation within the business is reflective of these achievements and the focus we have on continued future growth. Emma’s passion, knowledge, and pursuit of excellence is incredibly inspiring to all those who work with her.”

Bownes adds: “I am incredibly grateful that I get to do what I love every day and do so for some of the world’s most iconic venues, alongside the very best. I’m excited by the road ahead and thankful to be part of a fantastic and talented team.”

AEG has also announced further promotions in the venue programming team. Jo Peplow-Revell has been promoted to director of corporate & special events and Marc Saunders has progressed to head of programming at The O2, reporting to Christian D’Acuna, senior programming director at The O2.

Last year, IQ marked Bownes’s 25 years in the business, quizzing the veteran on her journey to the top and the philosophies that have shaped her career success.

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AEG Europe has announced a record-breaking year for its venues in the UK and Germany.

The O2 in London (cap. 20,000) sold over 2.6 million tickets in 2024, a 3.5% increase from 2023’s previously unsurpassed figure.

The iconic arena also hosted more first-time headliners than ever before in 2024, with 41 artists taking to the stage for the first time, including Raye, Charli XCX, Mirror and IVE – a 70% increase from 2023.

Over 10 million visitors were welcomed to the North Greenwich venue in 2024, across 200+ performances spanning music, comedy, sport and entertainment. Highlights include multi-night stands from global superstars like Liam Gallagher and Olivia Rodrigo, and landmark events such as The BRIT Awards and C2C Festival.

In February, The O2 also made history by hosting the world’s first carbon-removed arena events at The 1975’s four headline shows, resulting in the extraction and removal of 545.9 tonnes.

The venue was also named the first UK arena to achieve ‘Platinum’ Accessibility status with disability charity Attitude is Everything, in recognition of itd commitment to improving accessibility for disabled fans, artists, and staff.

In 2025, The O2 will host a world-first event with Formula 1 in February to mark the launch of their upcoming season, as well as a UK-exclusive residency with global superstar Usher, who will be bringing his tour to The O2 for a 10-night run in April.

AEG Europe has also announced a record-breaking year in Germany with events growth of 11.5% year on year

AEG Europe has also announced a record-breaking year in Germany with events growth of 11.5% year on year.

Barclays Arena, the Uber Arena and the Uber Eats Music Hall hosted over 460 events in 2024 – 53 more than in the previous year.

In 2024, over one million fans attended 150 events at Barclays Arena in Hamburg – a significant increase compared to 132 events in the previous year, which brings the arena back to pre-pandemic levels.

With 176 events and 1.8 million guests, the Uber Arena in Berlin had a record year for the third year in a row. The Uber Eats Music Hall, also in Berlin, counted a total of 137 events in 2024, 30 more than in the previous year.

AEG’s German venues have already announced 200 concerts for 2025 with artists including Ayliva, Kontra K, Usher, Dua Lipa and more.

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Welcome to the second part of IQ Magazine’s 2024 Green Guardians – our annual recognition of those eco-warriors and innovators at the forefront of the battle to make the live entertainment industry more sustainable.

The Green Guardians is spearheaded by IQ and an international panel of sustainability experts to highlight and congratulate companies and organisations who are improving the live music business when it comes to being more environmentally friendly.

This year’s list includes 22 entries across a wide range of event suppliers, campaigners, and solutions providers, all of whom are working tirelessly to reduce the carbon footprint of the live entertainment business.

IQ will publish entries across all categories over the coming days, and you can find the whole cohort in the latest edition of the magazine here.

AEG Europe

AEG Europe, a leader in the live sports and entertainment industry, is using its platform and reach to make a significant impact on the planet. With millions of fans and thousands of events annually, the company is committed to minimising its environmental impact and raising public awareness about issues to make meaningful change.

The company made new strides this year, with the world’s first carbon-removed arena events being a highlight. The O2 removed nearly 550 tons of carbon across four shows with The 1975, a monumental moment in event sustainability. The venue also achieved Greener Arena certification from AEG and introduced the Green Rider to promote sustainable practices among promoters and artists.

In addition, the American Express presents BST Hyde Park festival series that takes place in London implemented the next stage of its net-zero strategy, reducing its carbon emissions via Biochar and utilising 100% compostable serveware to limit waste. On the horizon, the company’s proposed 8,500-capacity Edinburgh Park Arena, set to open in 2027, is set to be a net-zero venue and will generate over half of its energy from low or zero-carbon technologies.

Through these industry-leading initiatives, AEG Europe hopes it can be a model for other venues, promoters, and tours worldwide, through promoting a greener future for live events.

ASM Global

Venue and event management giant ASM Global is elevating its buildings worldwide, with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-level certification, or a local equivalent, becoming the new standard. Its P&J Live arena in Aberdeen, Scotland, has been recognised as one of the most sustainable venues in the UK and is part of its expansive portfolio of venues in Europe, the United States, Australia, and Asia.

In late 2023, ASM Global formed a partnership with Voltus, a leader in distributed energy and virtual power plants. Voltus is set to pay ASM Global for cutting back its energy usage at its US venues, a deal that is already yielding results less than one year in.

The transnational company has also joined with r.World, the largest reuse platform, to aid in eliminating single-use plastic throughout ASM Global’s North American portfolio by replacing it with reusable service ware.

This May, the company opened Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in the US’s Ozark Mountains. The amphitheatre has been permanently designated to support a not-for-profit conservation foundation. And to ensure the company’s supply chain meets its green goals, ASM’s Supplier Diversity Program builds relationships with local businesses to support a regional ecosystem of goods and services. Participating venues include The Greek Theatre (Los Angeles), T-Mobile Center (Kansas City), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas), and State Farm Arena (Atlanta).

Mojo Concerts

Netherlands-based MOJO Concerts launched its Road to Zero Waste policy last January, driven by Kees Lamers and Maarten van Lokven. The company aims to make its festivals, concerts, and offices climate-neutral and circular by 2030, with the initiative also including popular Amsterdam venues AFAS Live and Ziggo Dome.

To achieve this objective, MOJO is working to replace diesel generators with connections to the main electricity network. This year, the events company has introduced a series of policies: from reusable coffee cups and recyclable cups at Goffertpark festivals and a shift to plant-based foods to expanded car-sharing options and a bring-your-own-bottle policy.

The Road to Zero Waste campaigns at Pinkpop Festival and Down The Rabbit Hole have been successful, with attendees receiving recycling kits with sorting information and bags leading to minimal camping gear left behind.

Pieter Smit

The Netherlands-based transportation group’s sustainability goals focus on two main areas: green facilities and sustainable touring using proven and accessible technologies.

For its facilities, Pieter Smit has implemented a range of solutions such as heating with geothermal energy, solar panels, and LED lighting. It has implemented rainwater collection for internal drainage and truck washing in some of its establishments, while its workshops and storage areas are powered by solar energy.

Pieter Smit continues to offer HVO as an interim solution for touring until more advanced technologies become widely available and affordable, while also incorporating electric vehicles and focusing on smaller, longer-distance vehicles as technology improves.

Later this year, the company will embark on an all-electric vehicle tour in collaboration with theatrical company Jakop Ahlbom.

GeoPura

GeoPura is a company providing zero-emission energy solutions by using renewable sources like solar and wind to create green hydrogen. This product is then used to produce clean electricity, a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, using no carbon and producing only water as a byproduct.

In 2024, GeoPura led the way in reducing emissions at major events with their hydrogen-powered generators. At the Isle of Wight Festival in the UK, they replaced diesel generators, supplying clean power to key areas like catering and guest services for the first time with hydrogen. This marked the first instance of hydrogen power being integrated into the festival’s infrastructure.

Their success at Isle of Wight festival led to further projects, including powering welfare and recycling areas at Latitude Festival, the main stage at a 30,000-cap event, the Touch Rugby World Cup, and the live TV broadcast of the BMW PGA Tour, all with zero emissions.

Partnering with brands like Live Nation, GeoPura has demonstrated that green hydrogen can effectively power large events sustainably.

KB Event

Environmental sustainability is at the heart of KB Event, as the company is continuously striving to identify and deliver practical solutions to boost efficiency and reduce impact on the environment for the industry.

By working collaboratively with clients, KB Event merges expertise from different backgrounds to combat communal challenges. An example of this includes KB Event’s introduction of HVO, working with Peak Oils to supply 100% renewable, palm-oil-free diesel into its fleet. A few years out from introduction, this HVO now reduces net CO2 emissions by up to 90% and lowers nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide emissions.

This year, the palm-oil-free HVO Biofuel has been used on tours by Yungblud and Massive Attack and at events like DragCon 2024, Insurtech, Mobile World Congress, and EarthFest. Their dedication to sustainability dates back to 2008 when they became the first event logistics company to receive environmental accreditation.

Their new Wandsworth depot is ready to service events in and around London. Here, they will also provide the industry with the option of HVO, but more importantly, battery-electric vans and trucks, as they trial this with Volta Trucks.

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AEG Europe has heralded BST Hyde Park 2024 in London as its “most carbon-friendly festival series to date”.

The 65,000-capacity concert series kicks off today (28 June) with All Things Orchestral, followed by concerts with Robbie Williams, Shania Twain, Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Nicks, Kylie, Kings of Leon, SZA, Morgan Wallen and Stray Kids.

As the event launches its 11th edition, AEG has revealed an enhanced set of green initiatives to minimise its environmental impact, including carbon removals and menu labelling, alongside partnerships with Keep Britain Tidy and Lowr.

“Over the course of 10 shows across three weekends, we will have the opportunity to engage with hundreds of thousands of fans,” says AEG Europe’s director of sustainability, Sam Booth. “We are acutely aware of our position and believe we have a responsibility to influence fan behaviour and drive sustainable change and in doing so, we’re helping to not only preserve the planet but also the future of live entertainment.”

The move comes after the promoter hosted the world’s first carbon-removed arena events at The O2, which saw the extraction and removal of 545.9 tonnes of carbon across the four shows by The 1975.

Acting on key learnings from the pilot events, AEG says it’s continuing to reduce emissions at BST Hyde Park while pursuing accurate measurements for the remaining unavoidable ones.

Using Biochar for carbon capture, BST will then fund the removal of all Scope 1 and 2 emissions, making this AEG Europe’s most carbon-friendly festival series to date, it adds.

“We are acutely aware of our position and believe we have a responsibility to influence fan behaviour and drive sustainable change”

The promoter has also worked with A Greener Future to measure the environmental impact of each meal served across the festival and ensure this information is across all menus, with a traffic light system to highlight the most environmentally friendly offerings.

“Not only does this help to educate fans in their food choices, but it also acts as a reminder to traders of the impact their ingredient choices can have on the world around them, helping to encourage traders to think green for all future events,” it said.

AEG Europe said it is committed to sending zero waste to landfill and is looking to build on the principles of the circular economy to all venues and festivals. BST Hyde Park will see the use of 100% compostable serveware across the site, with a limited reusable cup system being trialled in controlled areas. It said waste handling has also been improved, with clearer signage, an on-site waste baler and on-site crews to help fans separate their waste correctly.

Working in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy, BST Hyde Park will also see a new waste reduction initiative this year. In a move to change fan behaviour around the disposal of cigarette butts, portable ashtrays will be handed out to combat the source of litter. An e-cigarette collect-and-recycle scheme will also be implemented across the site for the safe disposal of soft plastics and batteries.

Meanwhile, AEG’s customer engagement teams have formed a partnership with sustainability platform Lowr, which has created a bespoke platform for ticket holders to log their journey to the event and help the festival’s promoters understand and quantify the full carbon impact of their travel. The promoter said the information will be used in subsequent years to help inform policies and strategies for tackling this significant element of the festival’s environmental impact.

BST Hyde Park 2024 will also see an increased amount of its power supply created by biodiesel generators and batteries. The promoter said that having successfully trialled a new battery system at the event last year, its team has made significant energy efficiencies in a more economical power supply: “These enhancements ensure the entire workflow operates at optimum efficiency to drive down overall fuel usage across the site.”

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AEG Europe has secured planning permission for a new 8,500-capacity arena in Edinburgh Park, Scotland.

The City of Edinburgh Council announced the decision at midday today after the application was put forward with a recommendation for approval.

Construction on the privately funded arena is proposed to begin in 2025 and will continue over the course of two years, with the aim of delivering the first event in 2027.

AEG Europe, which owns London’s The O2 Arena and Berlin’s Uber Arena, are working with award-winning developers and site owners Parabola on the new arena, which will span 18,500 square metres and attract an estimated 700,000 visitors per year.

“We are delighted to have been granted planning consent for a cutting-edge new venue for Edinburgh”

AEG Europe Guest Experience and Sustainability experts have also been involved in the planning process in a bid to make Edinburgh Park the UK’s most sustainable arena.

“We are delighted to have been granted planning consent for a cutting-edge new venue for Edinburgh,” says Alex Hill, president and CEO of AEG Europe. “Having worked closely with City of Edinburgh Council, we strongly believe the arena will deliver huge benefits to the city throughout every stage of the building’s life cycle – from development to completion, for years to come when we’re bringing the world’s best artists to the Scottish stage.”

Alistair Wood, executive vice president, real estate and development, AEG Europe, adds: “We thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their forward-thinking and proactive approach and for their shared vision of a new best-in-class arena for Edinburgh. We now turn our attention to expanding on these plans through the appointment of an external contractor, as well as seeking naming rights partners and finalising funding partners.”

Edinburgh’s current largest indoor venue is the 3,000-cap O2 Academy Edinburgh.

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AEG Global Partnerships is searching for naming rights partners for its new venue at Olympia in London.

Set to open in summer 2025, the 4,000-cap West London venue will form the centrepiece of the £1.3 billion (€1.55bn) redevelopment of the 14-acre Olympia Estate.

The venue, which will be located above the existing west exhibition hall, will be operated by AEG, which signed a ‘long-term agreement’ with owners Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance International who acquired Olympia in 2017 for €330 million.

In addition, the team – the partnerships arm of AEG Europe – is also seeking a partner for the Hammersmith Apollo, with its current naming rights partnership with Eventim expiring at the end of the year.

“Since the pandemic, brands have been keen to get back in front of consumers, and build truly long-lasting relationships based on mutual benefits and trust”

“Since the pandemic, brands have been keen to get back in front of consumers, and build truly long-lasting relationships based on mutual benefits and trust,” says Paul Samuels, EVP of AEG Global Partnerships. “Sponsored events are rated the preferred media channel among consumers, according to the 2023 Kantar Media Reactions survey, because unlike an advert that lasts just seconds, an event lasts hours, giving brands longer to engage with fans and – better still – enhance their experience.”

The new naming rights partners will join Qatar Airways, IG Group and Uber, who have all joined the ranks since the beginning of 2024.

“We’ve started working with more than 110 new partners in the past 12 months, and now we’re looking for two ambitious brands who want to take on the naming rights to two world-class venues,” adds Samuels. “In addition to the obvious perks of being a naming rights partner, wider activations can help to achieve a range of objectives, from increasing consideration and rewarding loyal customers, to meeting sustainability objectives.”

Along with naming rights partners, AEG Global Partnerships is seeking category partners who will be able to elevate the experiences of those visiting the venue.

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Proposed new arena developments in Munich, Germany and Edinburgh, Scotland are edging closer to reality.

Bavaria-based developer SWMunich Real Estate this week presented an update on its MUCcc Arena scheme in Munich to the district town of Freising’s planning and design advisory board.

The board, which comprised experts from various disciplines, praised the quality of the planning and architecture of the venue, in addition to making suggestions that will be incorporated into the climate-neutral arena project.

“The presentation of the project has shown us how well thought-out planning and sophisticated architecture can go hand in hand,” says Prof Dr Rudolf Hierl, chair of the design advisory board. “The concert arena sets new standards for architectural and urban quality in our region. We are delighted to be able to support this project.”

SWMunich will build and operate the 20,000-cap venue, backed by more than €300 million of private sector investment.

“The positive response from the design advisory board encourages us in our endeavours to create a concert arena that meets the highest standards,” says Munich Arena managing partner Lorenz Schmid. “The advisory board’s suggestions will flow directly into the further development of the Munich Arena concert arena to make it an enrichment for Freising and the region.”

“We’re determined to enhance Edinburgh as a venue for live music and other events”

Designed by Populous, the arena will be located in a new green space next to LabCampus, the technology and innovation centre at Munich Airport, with the seating to be arranged in a 270° horseshoe shape.

“We are proud to realise a project like the concert arena in our city, which is not only architecturally impressive, but also offers enormous economic and cultural advantages,” adds Freising mayor Tobias Eschenbacher.

Meanwhile, AEG Europe’s proposed 8,500-capacity arena project in Edinburgh is also on track after being backed by planning officers ahead of a council meeting later this month. The promoter and venue operator is seeking planning permission for the venue in Edinburgh Park, with hopes to launch it in 2027.

“We’re delighted that the proposals for a new arena in Edinburgh are recommended for approval and we look forward to presenting the facts about the proposals at committee and answering any questions elected members may have,” says Alistair Wood, AEG Europe’s EVP, real estate and development. “This reflects month of consultation and discussion with the public and key stakeholders prior to the application being submitted and a positive ongoing dialogue with all throughout the application process.

“This is the most sustainable site available and we’re determined to enhance Edinburgh as a venue for live music and other events. We are hopeful the planning committee will support the officers’ recommendations.”

Subject to planning permission, work is expected to begin on the project in early 2025. The Scottish capital’s current largest indoor venues are the 3,059-cap Edinburgh Playhouse and 3,000-cap O2 Academy Edinburgh.

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A range of industry figures have shared their sustainability priorities for the live music business to mark Earth Day 2024 – an annual event highlighting the importance of environmental protection.

While the sector continues to raise its game on green issues, there remains plenty of room for improvement. It was announced earlier this year that a comprehensive study of the live music industry’s carbon footprint is being conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and co-funded by Coldplay, Live Nation and Warner Music Group.

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

Last week, meanwhile, The O2 in London revealed that more than 545.9 tonnes of carbon were extracted across The 1975’s four headline concerts in February. The shows marked the world’s first carbon-removed arena events and took place in collaboration with carbon removal experts CUR8 and sustainable event specialists A Greener Future (AGF).

“This year is all about firming up our path to net zero,” AEG Europe director of sustainability Sam Booth tells IQ. “After the success of our recent pilot series of carbon removed arena events at The O2, we now need to undertake some detailed work around our general gas usage, as well as figuring out our approach to dealing with fan travel and continue working with brand partners to address the emissions of the products we sell in the arena.

“Education is also an incredibly important area of focus, so we’re rolling out training to all our employees to ensure they know how to make more sustainable choices in their day-to-day roles.”

“How sustainable we can be with our power, transport, water, food, etc, all depends on policies, legislation, taxes and subsidies that make better choices possible”

Elsewhere, in January, sustainability initiative Vision:2025 and Julie’s Bicycle launched a 12-month pilot with 10 local authorities to test how the Green Events Code of Practice (GECOP) can be used to embed sustainability within local authority processes.

“We’re all looking for a simple answer to the question: What does good look like?” Vision:2025 chair Chris Johnson, co-founder of the UK’s Shambala Festival, tells IQ. “Our priority for 2024 is to test the new Green Events Code of Practice with local authorities, and take steps toward establishing an acceptable minimum best practice for sustainability across the UK that promoters, supply chain and local authorities understand.”

AGF (A Greener Future) recently hailed “significant areas of improvement” in festival sustainability after surveying more than 40 European events. The sustainability not-for-profit released its Festival Sustainability Report, comprising data analysis on mobility, food & drink, water & sanitation, power & fuel use, waste & recycling, and carbon emissions at events on the continent.

“In 2024 the largest number of the global population will be called to vote,” says AGF co-founder Claire O’Neill, who organises the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI). “How sustainable we can be with our power, transport, water, food, etc, all depends on policies, legislation, taxes and subsidies that make better choices possible. We need to have governments in power who will understand and support a just transition to a green economy.

“In the UK, voters now have to use photo ID to vote, which is a hurdle for many. We’re supporting #JustVote24 to help young and disadvantaged people to get their voter ID if they don’t have a passport/driving license or old persons bus pass, and to then get them to vote. The music campaign is called #crashtheparty and we urge everyone in live music to get behind this and local equivalents.”

Germany-based Holger Jan Schmidt, who heads up pan-European think-tank GO Group (Green Operations Europe) and is  general secretary of the European festival association Yourope, points out the latter organisation has adapted its approach a little of late.

“The focus today is less on honouring the spearheads of sustainable festivals and more on making the sector future-proof at large”

“Although we continue to present the Green Operations Award, the focus today is less on honouring the spearheads of sustainable festivals and more on making the sector future-proof at large,” says Schmidt, speaking to IQ. “Yourope today offers freely usable tools that enable every festival out there to position itself accordingly, train the team and benefit from the great expertise of the frontrunners. Examples of this are our European Green festival Roadmap 2030 and the Future Festival Tools with self-assessment tool, e-learning course and best practice guide.

“For this purpose, our association works with both the expert organisations in the live entertainment industry and with the festivals directly in order to identify their needs and develop tailor-made measures.”

In a further notable development, six Spanish music promoters – Advanced Music, Bring The Noise, Centris, elrow, The Music Republic and Sharemusic! – have inked strategic sponsorship agreements with Madrid-based global energy company Repsol to jointly promote the use of different multi-energy solutions and reduce their CO2 footprint.

The agreement initially covers 77 events managed by the firms in Spain and Portugal, rising to 89. Festivals such as the FIB, Arenal Sound, Sonar Lisbon and O son de Camiño will use 100% renewable fuels, among other solutions, to reduce their CO2 emissions.

Meanwhile, venue management company ASM Global, which operates more than 50 green certified venues, has marked Earth Month 2024 by naming Lindsay Arell as chief sustainability officer as it ramps up its efforts to convert its 400-strong venue portfolio to “the most sustainable on earth”.

After founding her own company, Honeycomb Strategies, Arell led the development of the ASM Global ACTS sustainability plan and is a past chair of both the Events Industry Council Sustainability Committee (EIC) and ASTM Venue Sustainability Standard. Arell’s new role forms part of ASM’s sustainability goals, announced in 2023, which include the elimination of single use plastic.

“Sustainability should be the cause of our lifetime in our industry”

“I’m thrilled at the chance to spearhead ASM’s sustainability initiatives working alongside our teams and communities across our over 400 global venues.” says Arell. “By providing our venue teams with the necessary knowledge and resources, we can accelerate the progress of our programme significantly.”

Just last week plans were announced for ASM to join with reuse platform r.World to rapidly introduce reusable service ware in venues throughout ASM’s portfolio.

Fellow venue giant Oak View Group (OVG) welcomes the world’s second carbon-neutral arena this month in Manchester’s Co-op Live, following the firm’s Climate Pledge Arena, with UBS Arena slated to follow. Speaking at ILMC 36 in London, OVG chief Tim Leiweke said: “Climate Pledge can’t be the only carbon-neutral arena in the world or else [the industry] has failed. We as an industry should lead this charge… sustainability should be the cause of our lifetime in our industry.”

He added: “We as a company are going to continue to build these arenas and make sustainability a priority and a way of life in our culture and then hopefully, it will inspire our industry to come along with us.”

OVG COO Francesca Bodie agreed: “Sustainability is part of our core DNA and we want to make sure that we’re not only championing but challenging our industry to get better.”

In addition, REVERB, which partners with artists, festivals, and venues to reduce their environmental footprint, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Working with artist partners like Billie Eilish, The 1975, Odesza, Harry Styles, Dave Matthews Band, Boygenius, Jack Johnson, The Lumineers, Dead & Company, Tame Impala, and many more, REVERB has created and executed comprehensive sustainability and fan engagement programmes on over 350 tours, 60 festivals, and 7,000 concerts.

Positive impacts to date include neutralising 375,000+ tons of CO2e, raising over $12m for environmental causes, hosting over 5,000 NGOs in fan-facing Action Villages, and preventing the use of over 4m single-use plastic bottles at concerts.

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AEG Europe has submitted a planning application for its proposed 8,500-capacity arena project in Edinburgh.

If granted approval by the city council, the venue will support the regeneration of the Edinburgh Park area alongside master developers Parabola.

Spanning 18,500 square metres, the arena is estimated to attract more than 700,000 visitors per year, with the company hoping to receive planning permission by June 2024 with a view of appointing an external contractor to start work thereafter.

“We are thrilled to be progressing with our plans for a spectacular new arena for Edinburgh,” says AEG Europe president and CEO Alex Hill. “The city has long been renowned as a destination for global culture and one of the world’s best for the arts and live entertainment. We’re excited to build on this reputation and bring world-class live music and entertainment to Edinburgh, as well as investing in the wider Edinburgh Park community through the creation of 1,000+ employment opportunities.”

“It’s been fantastic to see such strong support for our plans, and therefore we are hopeful for a swift and clear decision following our planning application”

The application follows a series of in-person public consultation events, held in December 2023 and January 2024. AEG has previously stated it hopes to launch the venue in 2027.

“We’re delighted by the feedback and valuable insights we’ve received during the extensive consultation and public exhibition process,” adds Alistair Wood, EVP of real estate & development for AEG Europe. “It’s been fantastic to see such strong support for our plans, and therefore we are hopeful for a swift and clear decision following our planning application.

“If we were able to secure planning permission, our focus would then immediately turn to identifying a building contractor and naming rights partner to bring this exciting project to life on site.”

Edinburgh’s current largest indoor venue is the 3,000-cap O2 Academy Edinburgh.

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