Massive Attack have commissioned a major study of carbon emissions from the live music industry. Teaming with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research—a broad group of climate scientists—the band pledge to “map thoroughly the carbon footprint of band tour cycles, and to present options that can be implemented quickly” to reduce emissions, according to a press release. Conceding that the overhaul will require “significant change” across the industry, they say they’ll make their research findings and recommendations available to everyone in the industry to encourage prompt action.
In an op-ed for The Guardian, Robert Del Naja writes that they considered giving up touring altogether. But, he adds, a single band’s efforts will fail unless findings can be scaled up and applied to the industry at large: “To create systemic change there is no real alternative to collective action.”
In their press release, Massive Attack consider the limitations of previous efforts such as carbon offsetting and reforestation. “In the context of an emergency,” they write, “carbon offset schemes and credits are of greatly diminished value. They do not reduce carbon emissions entering the atmosphere and no offsetting scheme can simultaneously remedy this. Growing evidence also suggests seriously negative side-effects of these programmes for the indigenous and rural communities in the global south.... Offset and forget cannot work in a climate and biodiversity emergency.”
The study will examine the areas of live music with the greatest carbon footprint: audience transportation, band travel and production, and venue emissions.
On December 3, the band announced plans to play a low-carbon concert show in Liverpool as part of their collaboration with climate scientists. The date of the concert is not yet announced. “We're looking forward to exploring the social and scientific solutions to the challenges we face in transitioning to a low carbon society,” Robert Del Naja said in a statement. “This project offers an opportunity to work with new and progressive identities in the planning, energy, technology and transport sectors. After years of participation in large scale music events that have had questionable sponsors on the ticket and too often, very little enthusiasm for meaningful change.”
Earlier this month, Coldplay announced they would pause touring until they could approach carbon neutrality, though it is unclear to what degree audience travel—the most harmful aspect of the live industry—would factor into that calculation. Artists including Thom Yorke and Brian Eno recently signed an open letter addressing charges of hypocrisy against touring artists battling the climate emergency.
Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
