Assessment Report of Live Music and Climate Change

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Environmental Solutions Initiative (MIT ESI) is conducting a comprehensive study of the live music industry’s carbon footprint, co-funded and supported by Warner Music Group (WMG), Live Nation and Coldplay. The report will suggest practical solutions to reduce the environmental impact of live music events at every level, from pubs and clubs to stadiums.

The study will kick off with an initial research phase, resulting in an Assessment Report of Live Music and Climate Change, focused on the UK and US markets which is anticipated to be completed in Summer 2024. This report aims to:

  • Develop a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between live music and climate change.
  • Identify key areas where the industry and concert goers can make tangible improvements to reduce emissions and drive planet-positive outcomes.
  • Provide a detailed analysis of the latest developments in green technology and sustainable practices.

Project Description

Assessment Report of The Media and Entertainment Industry and Climate Change,
Phase 1: Live Music in the UK and US (P1LM).

The P1LM aims to provide practical guidance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the various stakeholders in the live music industry, including music festivals, in the UK and the US. As a first step, the P1LM must identify and describe the real drivers and barriers for effective climate actions that exist today.

Data Protocols: Use and Attribution

All submissions including quantitative data, qualitative information, and other content including interviews and all else to MIT from external parties, will be handled in accordance with the MIT Research Data Use Agreement.

Any material in the public realm collected and used in this project will be properly cited with full attribution of source and authorship and all other relevant information.

Governance of the Project

The work of the project is being conducted by a group of Study Participants, guided by an Advisory Committee and assisted by a group of Contributors. Roles and responsibilities of each group are described below.

The Advisory Committee is charged with reviewing progress and products of the study. The committee may advise on all aspects of the production of the report including offering all manner of commentary and guidance on the content and results of the work, general and specific suggestions on the methods of analysis and the presentation of findings, identification of others beyond the committee who may have valuable perspectives on the work, and more. The Advisory Committee will receive interim submissions of the report for review. Membership of the Advisory Committee will be by invitation only.

Advisory Committee Members Include:
  • Adam Hatton, Founder and Managing Director of Global Motion Ltd.
  • Adam Met, PhD. Executive Director, Planet Reimagined, Member of AJR
  • Alex Pollock, Artist Manager & Touring Consultant, Baron Global
  • Ali Viles, RF Engineer, Coldplay
  • Andrew Thornton, Production Manager, Harry Styles / Shawn Mendes
  • Arlene Moon, Co-Manager, Coldplay
  • Baz Halpin, CEO of Silent House Group
  • Brian Levine, President, Projects TAIT
  • Brad Akin, Associate Business Manager, FBMM Entertainment Business Management
  • Caius Pawson, Founder of YOUNG and Murmur
  • Chris Kansy, Production Manager / Concert Touring Industry
  • Ciaran Flaherty, Tour Director Global Touring, Live Nation
  • Clyde Lawrence, Bandleader/Producer/Songwriter for Lawrence, Co-Founder of SB Sound Solutions Inc.
  • Danielle Magalhaes, Global Climate Action Team Lead, UNFCCC
  • Danny Rukasin, Manager, Billie Eilish
  • Dick Massey, Production Coordinator, Billie Eilish | Tour Manager, Finneas
  • Dr. Craig Jones, Director, Circular Ecology
  • Ellie Goulding, Artist
  • Erik Distler, VP, Head of Sustainability AEG
  • Frederic Opsomer, Vice President PRG Global Scenic, MD PRG Projects | Member of the “Major Tom” sustainability initiative
  • Glenda Yoder, Associate Director, FARM AID
  • Harlan Frey, EVP of Touring and Artist Development, Atlantic Records
  • Jaime Nack, President, Three Squares Inc.
  • Jared Braverman, SVP Touring, Live Nation
  • Jason Bailer Losh, Director of Environmental, GCL/ Rock-it Cargo
  • Jean-Oliver Dalphond, Partner & CCO, PixMob, formerly ICLEI
  • Jessica Koravos, Co-chair, President OVG
  • Joel Eriksson, Tour Manager, Fred Again..
  • Jonathan Kessler, Manager, Depeche Mode (Baron Management)
  • Jordan Cohen, Tour Manager, Producer, Musician in Lawrence | Co-Owner of SB Sound Solutions
  • Jordan Wolosky, COO & General Manager, AG Artists, LLC
  • Jules Davis, Operations and A&R Manager, AG Artists, LLC
  • Josh Javor, Partner & Co-Head of London Music Department, WME
  • Kristen Fulmer, Head of Sustainability, OVG, Director, GOAL
  • Kyle Devine, Professor and Head of Research Training, Department of Musicology. University of Oslo
  • Lesley Olenik, SVP, Global Touring Live Nation
  • Lindsay Arell, Chief Sustainability Officer, ASM Global
  • Lucy August-Perna, Head of Sustainability, Live Nation
  • Luke Howell, Founder & Director, Hope Solutions
  • Madeleine Smith, Director ESG, Warner Music Group
  • Mandi Frost, Co-Manager, Coldplay
  • Mark Wong, Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow
  • Matt Brennan, Professor of Popular Music, University of Glasgow
  • Matthias Christner, Head of Innovation, D&B Audiotechnik
  • Max Tischler, Sustainability Coordinator Jack Johnson
  • Michael Rapino, President & CEO, Live Nation
  • Molly Hawkins, Creative Director, Harry Styles
  • Prof Neil Thomas MBE, Founder & Director of Atelier One
  • Nicole Massey, Production Manager for Billie Eilish and FINNEAS
  • Olga LaBelle, VP of ESG, Warner Music Group
  • Paul Johnson, Creative Design Director, NeonBlack Design
  • Paul Schurink MBE, Co-founder, CEO Showpower
  • Paul Traynor, Stage Manager / Head Electrician, Coldplay
  • Phil Harvey, Manager, Coldplay
  • Rebecca Travis, Tour Manager, RT Tour Management Limited (Florence + The Machine, Gorillaz, various others)
  • Professor Richard Betts MBE, Head of Climate Impacts Research, University of Exeter
  • Rob Scully, Director, ZAP Concepts
  • Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group
  • Robert Hewett, MD, Stagetruck
  • Robin Shaw, Upstaging, Inc
  • Rosemary Enobakhare, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Policy, and Strategic Engagement, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Sam Simmons, Chief Technology Officer CES Power
  • Sooner Routhier, Production Designer and Creative Producer, The Playground
  • Steve Heaver, CEO, Involved Group
  • Tadia "T" Taylor, Live Event Producer, Talent Buyer, Music Equality Activist, W.O.Q.E.- Women of Qolor Entertainment
  • Tina Farris, Tour Director/Programmer/Producer, Goodtime Girl Media
  • Tom Chauncey, Partisan Arts, Agent / CEO
  • Tom Schroeder, Executive Vice President, Wasserman Music
  • Tom See, President, Live Nation Venues
  • Tony Smith, Sound designer, Audio Director for Coldplay

Study participants are directly engaged in the production of the report. This includes writing and editing internal drafts, interim submissions to the Advisory Committee and the final version of the report.

Contributors are organisations, individuals and other entities who contribute information, data, perspectives and other material for use by the researchers in the production of the report. Contributors will be listed in the final draft of the report and their contributions will be cited in accordance with specific instructions received by each. Contributors are encouraged to approach Fernandez and Bayomi with offers of assistance in the form of data and other information.