Green Guardians 2024: Maggie Baird, D&B Group, DJs 4 Climate Action & more
Welcome to the fourth and final 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 has published entries across all categories, and you can find the whole cohort in the latest edition of IQ here.
In 2020, Maggie Barid, mother of Grammy Award-winning artists Billie Eilish and Finneas, founded Support + Feed – an initiative committed to mitigating climate change and increasing food security by driving global demand, acceptance, and accessibility of plant-based food.
To date, Support + Feed has reached 41 cities globally, has a consistent presence in 11 anchor cities in the US, and is now expanding through partnerships in the UK, Europe, and Australia. The initiative has partnered with more than 80 community organisations and supported over 60 local restaurants to deliver nearly 600,000 plant-based meals and pantry items, alongside educational resources connecting the dots between what we put on our plates and the climate crisis.
The charity operates through three interconnected programmes: Support + Feed, Support + Learn, and Support + Grow. From culturally relevant meal delivery to educational programmes to hyperfocussed ecosystem revitalisation, the initiative covers many bases in the fight against food insecurity and climate change.
Guided in part by the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals, d&b group has crafted a sustainability strategy that recognises and acts on the significant environmental impact of the live entertainment industry.
Earlier this year, the audio solutions group launched SustainSymphony, a live events management platform. The software as a service solution that enables organisers, suppliers, and venue managers to improve their environmental responsibility. Features include a comprehensive performance indicator database, managing sustainability certifications, and generating detailed reports, making tracking, improving, and showcasing green initiatives easier.
Their goal is to lead the transformation of the global events industry towards a more sustainable and resilient future, ensuring that sustainability becomes a core consideration for all stakeholders.
Using the influence of electronic music and DJ culture, DJs 4 Climate Action is a group of artists generating action and powering climate solutions. They’ve been involved in various campaigns and initiatives to improve sustainability within the nightlife industry.
Built on grassroots initiatives, the organisation aspires to create climate action on a global level. Earth Night is the group’s signature event, a week-long celebration combining music, nightlife, and environmental activism.
Earth Night’s mission is to bring global communities together to raise awareness and generate funds for local and global climate initiatives.
The event features performances from top DJs, learning opportunities, interactive experiences, eco-friendly activities, and fundraising initiatives towards climate action projects and organisations.
The next Earth Night is set for 23-27 April 2025.
Amy Morrison’s lifelong commitment to both activism and the environment has shaped her decades-long career in the music industry. For over 30 years, she’s united these passions, working to halt nuclear tests, greening tours, introducing reusable cups, and fostering sustainability-focused teams. The MSA is the culmination of her journey.
After 23 years with Concerts West/AEG Presents, Amy left to lead the MSA full-time last year. Founded in 2021, the alliance is dedicated to making the music industry greener through industry-led initiatives. It’s a hub where professionals and artists can learn and collaborate to tackle the climate crisis by providing them with resources, practices, and tools for change.
“We are a nimble team, energised by cross-sector, pre-competitive participation in our programmes,” she says. “We host three working groups; spearhead Music Votes – a coalition of non-profits aimed at increasing voter participation; and produce The Green Room webinar series.”
MSA is currently gearing up for its NY Climate Week activation – The Music Biz Climate Hub – and its second annual summit in Los Angeles next February. Through these initiatives, MSA is a driving force in the global music industry toward a sustainable future for all.
Berlin-based creative sustainability agency The Changency has a vision to combine the joy of music with a sustainable way of living. Founded by Katrin Wipper and Sarah Lüngen in 2021 through the climate activist network Music Declares Emergency, The Changency launched with a groundbreaking sustainability study alongside iconic German band SEEED, their 85,000 fans, and Berlin’s University of Technology — leading to an accolade from the federal government.
Driven to inspire fans to enact positive social change, The Changency launched its latest project, TICKET TO RIDE, with Crowd Impact, exploring sustainable fan travel for major events. This initiative encouraged over 200,000 fans of German rockers AnnenMayKantereit to adopt greener travel habits.
In addition, the agency offers workshops, keynotes, and consultancy, including work with the BDKV (Association of German Concert & Events Promoters). They initiated Germany’s first sustainability and circularity conference at Reeperbahn Festival, alongside Green Events Hamburg, and founded the Change of Club this year to provide sustainability-focused event training.
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