ESG and the music industry

NZPR is committed to delivering practical solutions that help the music industry ecosystem move towards carbon neutrality.

 

One of our key initiatives was co-organising the panel “Music’s Power in the Climate Crisis” with the International Music Summit in Ibiza, 2024. The session shed light on a critical issue that the industry must confront before it’s too late.

 

Find out more about our initiatives – and how you can get involved.

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How the music industry is going greener?

 

​You gotta know the Green Contracts.

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Green contracts, which incorporate sustainability protocols into legally binding agreements, are increasingly becoming standard in the live music sector. Initiatives like LIVE's "Green Clauses" in the UK are providing templates for environmental commitments across waste, energy, and water use, moving sustainability from optional to a contractual obligation. This industry-wide shift is expected to become the norm within the next five years, fostering more sustainable practices in how music is produced and experienced. 

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Key Aspects of Green Contracts in Live Music

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• Legally Binding Commitments: 

  These contracts turn environmental goals into enforceable obligations, ensuring that all parties adhere to agreed-upon sustainability protocols. 
   

• Comprehensive Scope: 

  Green Clauses in the UK cover a wide range of areas critical to reducing a live music event's environmental footprint. 

  • Energy: Prioritizing renewable energy and energy efficiency. 

  • Waste Management: Reducing waste by implementing recycling and minimizing single-use plastics. 

  • Water Use: Conserving water through efficient facilities and practices. 

  • Transportation: Addressing emissions from audience and artist travel. 

  • Merchandise: Promoting the use of sustainable materials. 

  • Catering: Implementing sustainable food and drink practices. 
     

• Industry-Wide Adoption: 

  The development of these clauses is supported by a collaboration of artists, agents, promoters, venues, and festivals, indicating a strong desire for a more eco-conscious industry. 
   

• Shift in Industry Culture: 

  By integrating sustainability into contracts, the model aims to create widespread and lasting cultural change by making these practices a core part of the industry's operations. 
   

The Future of Live Music Sustainability
 

• Mandatory Sustainability: 

  The trend indicates that sustainability is transitioning from being an optional add-on to a fundamental contractual requirement. 
   

• Impactful Change: 

  The integration of green contracts is expected to significantly reduce the live music sector's environmental impact, turning it into a catalyst for broader environmental responsibility. 
   

• Technological Support: 

  Initiatives like The Climate Machine, a project analyzing the live music industry's carbon footprint, are providing data and insights to help develop practical mitigation measures, further supporting the effectiveness of green contracts.