WHAT ABOUT MUSIC? In tune with climate action or out of key? | Featuring Daniel Morrell

Like any industry, music has a carbon footprint – from live events and global touring to merchandise and streaming. Yet what makes music unique is its reach and power to inspire change.

In this episode, James and Daisy are joined by Daniel Morrell – sustainability pioneer, environmental activist, artist, and electronic musician. Together they explore music’s role in the fight against climate change. What are the impacts of the industry? How can music drive climate action? Who is leading the change?

SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Chant Live – An experimental “Space Punk” cocktail made up of music legends, technological innovation and environmental action with a dash of one special ingredient – you. Upload your voice via the app to create a unique visual sonic signature and feature in the next gig. It’s free for now but future proceeds will plant land art forests.
• BalanceEco – A platform that makes it easy for people and businesses to 'balance' their environmental impact effectively over the long term.
• EarthPercent – Invites artists and the music industry at large to donate a small percentage of their income to nature.

OTHER ADVOCATES AND RESOURCES:

• Coldplay – Reducing the carbon footprint of their Music of the Spheres World Tour. In 2024, the direct emissions were almost 60% lower than their 2016–17 stadium tour (with 18 shows powered entirely by portable battery systems and 72% of all waste diverted from landfill).
• Massive Attack – Their Act 1.5 show produced 98% less power emissions than comparable concerts.
• Billie Eilish – A vocal climate advocate and organiser of the Overheated conference that brings together climate activists, musicians and designers to discuss the climate crisis.
• AURORA – A Norwegian singer, songwriter, producer, and advocate for environmental and social issues.
• Glastonbury – Since 2023, the festival has been powered entirely by fossil-free energy.

• Tyndall Centre (2021) – A roadmap for the UK live music sector to play its part in tackling the climate crisis.
• Julie’s Bicycle – A non-profit mobilising the arts and culture to act on the climate, nature and justice crisis. Hosts the world’s largest environmental resource library for the arts.
• A Greener Future – Helps organisations, events, festivals, and venues around the world to be more sustainable.
• REVERB – Dedicated to creating a more sustainable music industry.
• Music Declares Emergency – Brings together artists, industry professionals and fans to call for a governmental response to the climate emergency through the No Music on a Dead Planet campaign.
• Music Climate Pact – Sets out a series of high-level commitments to serve as a declaration of intent for the global music sector.

• Future Forests – The first carbon offsetting company (later renamed The CarbonNeutral company).
• Live Earth – A series of benefit concerts featuring 150+ musicians across 12 locations held on 7 July, 2007 to combat climate change.

SOME FACTS:

• Nature (2024) – In 2010, researchers used figures from 2007 to estimate that the UK music industry produced some 540,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, around 0.1% of the country’s total energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Live music accounted for 74% of that.

WORTH A LISTEN:

• NATURE – Nature is now an official artist on Spotify. At least 50% of recording royalties from “feat. NATURE” tracks are directed to EarthPercent, funding high-impact, rights-based conservation initiatives.
• Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell’s environmental anthem.

Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation:

LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

You can also now watch us on YouTube.

Music: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3

Producer: Podshop Studios

Huge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.

Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.