Massive Attack has published the results of its partnership with the Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research and proposed a course of action for the “urgent and important reunification” of the music industry to combat the climate crisis.
The necessary shifts for “rapidly accelerating” progress include the immediate abolition of private jet use, the switch to electric means of transport for concerts and festivals and, by 2025, the abolition of diesel generators at festivals. Other proposals include “plug-and-play venues” that would reduce the need to move equipment, and global standardization of equipment – all implemented together to support smaller venues struggling with improved regulation.
In addition to tackling their own emissions, venues should switch to “energy tariffs that directly support renewable energy projects” to “support the overall decarbonization of the power grid,” the report said. Artists should plan tours from the start with emissions in mind: “Super low carbon needs to be included in every decision,” including “routes, venues, modes of transport, sets, audio and visual design, staff and advertising,” the report says. In the entire industry, carbon offsetting should be the last resort and only used when further reductions are not possible.
To meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, the live music sector should aim for zero emissions from buildings and land travel by 2035, and limit emissions from aviation to 80 percent of 2019 levels. Details on the implementation of the individual steps, including intermediate targets for emissions, are compiled in an open resource for the live music sector. Read “Super Low Carbon Live Music: A Roadmap For The UK Live Music Sector To Do Its Part To Tackle The Climate Crisis”.
In response to the report, Massive Attack developed six emission reduction modules to be tested on their tour in 2022. They have also partnered with green industrialist Dale Vince and his company Ecotricity to improve the capacity of the UK’s renewable energy network, train event staff to generate and operate sustainable operations, and vegan food options to introduce at venues.
In a press release, Robert “3D” del Naja from Massive Attack emphasized that “what counts now is the implementation. The big promoters just have to do more – it can’t be left to the artists to keep making these public appeals. ”He urges the government to take action, noting that nine weeks after the UN climate change conference COP26 we are unprepared on “the extent of the transformation that is required of the UK economy and society. Fossil fuel companies seem to have absolutely no problem getting huge subsidies from the government, but where is the plan for investing in clean battery technology, clean infrastructure, or decarbonized food supplies for a live music sector that brings in £ 4.6 billion? [$6.36 billion] for the economy and employs more than 200,000 dedicated employees? It just doesn’t exist. “
When the trial was announced, del Naja wrote a comment for The Guardian about the need for urgent action, adding that the band almost decided to end the tour altogether. In 2019, Coldplay followed suit not to tour around their album Everyday Life. In April of the same year, del Naja performed for a surprise DJ set at the Extinction Rebellion climate protest in London.
Read “How the Record Industry Is Trying to Make Vinyl Greener” on the pitch.
