Massive Attack have published a new study calling on the UK government and music industry to do more to reduce carbon emissions across the live music scene.
The group’s Roadmap To Super Low Carbon Live Music study was originally commissioned in 2019, with help from the Tyndall Centre For Climate Change Research, a partnership of universities that brings together experts to develop sustainable responses to climate change. The study puts forward targets, which those involved in producing it believe are achievable, for the live music sector so that it can do its bit in meeting the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Among the recommendations that the study makes are the elimination of private jets from live touring; phasing out the use of diesel generators at festivals by 2025; and a six-point plan for venues and festivals to make audience transportation to events electrified. Recognising that this might not be as easy for some promoters and venues as it will be for others, the study also says that the music and events sector needs to work collectively so that the smaller venues and promoters receive the support they might need while undergoing gradual changes.
Speaking about this dichotomy, Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja says: "The major promoters simply must do more. It can’t be left to artists to continually make these public appeals. But our sector is operating in a government void. Where is the plan for investment… for a live music sector that generates £4.6 billion for the economy every year and employs more than 200,000 dedicated people? It simply doesn’t exist."
Though Massive Attack have been working to offset their carbon emissions from touring for a number of years now, they’ve also set out six additional modules to reduce carbon emissions on their upcoming 2022 tour. They plan to share their findings from this tour when it’s completed in the hope that it might bring about further change going forward.
Read the Roadmap To Super Low Carbon Live Music in full here.
