This initiative was a joint venture between MIT Climate Machine, Warner Music Group, Live Nation, Hope Solutions, and Coldplay. Formerly known as the Environmental Solutions Initiative, MIT Climate Machine is a research group working with the Media and Entertainment Industry for the assessment and reduction of impacts of global climate change and other environmental challenges. They have released the first comprehensive annual carbon emissions calculation of the live music industry in the US and UK. 

“The research and analysis that has now resulted in the total greenhouse gas emissions attributable to live music in the UK and US marks a new anchor for meaningful actions. This detailed accounting of emissions sources and amounts guides a set of recommendations that point to a new era of emissions reductions and sustainability practices across all of live music,” – Professor John Fernández and Dr. Norhan Bayomi, Co-Founders of MIT Climate Machine.

The study drew data from over 80,000 events across both countries, capturing greenhouse gas emissions across all major impacted areas. These include trucking, energy, food and beverage consumption, water, waste, fan travel, artist and crew travel, accommodation, and freight. The cultural reach of the music industry is fast, despite its relatively small direct impact on emissions. Industry decisions can set trends and, in some cases, inspire broader climate action. 

The report drawn up by Climate Machine identifies key areas in which both industry players and fans can take measurable steps to reduce emissions, considering the full lifecycle of events. Meaningful progress will require coordination between artists, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and fans to drive scalable, long-term change. 

“This report gives the live music industry its clearest, quantified picture yet of where touring impacts the planet most. By taking data and evidence from across the sector, this study helps signal the need for practical, forward-thinking solutions that empower artists, promoters, and venues to focus on both measurement as well as take meaningful action to reduce their environmental impact.” – Luke Howell, Founder & Director of Hope Solutions, MSI CEnv FISEP.

Among the key findings in the report are:

• Fan travel is the largest contributor of live music emissions, accounting for 77% in the UK and 62% in the US across nearly all types of events
• Food and beverages are second, at 17% in the US and 7.6% in the UK, driven largely by animal-based products
• A shift towards animal-based products could lower food and beverage emissions by 40%
• When fan travel is excluded, trucking and freight emerge as major contributors: trucking consists of 14% of US emissions, whilst air freight accounts for nearly 35% in the UK
• Large-format shows generate a disproportionate share of emissions, meaning festivals and stadium tours are powerful catalysts for innovation and scalable climate solutions

“Live music doesn’t just entertain; it shapes culture and connects communities. As we advance our sustainability efforts, we’re committed to turning insights into measurable action–aligning purpose with performance, building resilience across the ecosystem, and ensuring that music continues to create shared value for artists, fans, and the planet alike.” – Madeleine Smith, Senior Director, ESG at Warner Music Group.

Grounded in peer-reviewed research, the findings offer an unprecedented and environmentally driven view of live music’s entertainment impact. An Advisory Committee of more than 50 senior leaders, sustainability experts, and music industry veterans contributed strategic insights that shaped both the report’s methodology and recommendations. 

“Real progress starts with shared understanding. For the first time, the live music industry has a clear picture of where our collective impact lies. For Live Nation, this data empowers us to continue taking smarter, more coordinated action in partnership with artists, venues, and fans to preserve a strong future for live music and the communities that support it.” – Lucy August-Perna, Head of Sustainability at Live Nation.

Far from being all-knowing, it is hard to even estimate how environmentally friendly events are. Whilst the most visible form of ecological harm comes in the litter left over by festival goers, without key reports, we may tend towards overestimating the impact of the most visible forms of environmental damage. Reports such as these are vital in outlining current conditions and what has the largest impact. This allows all involved stakeholders to make forward-thinking changes to their events and promotes a broader understanding of the nature of climate change as a whole.