British rock band Coldplay has just completed a record-breaking 10-show run at the iconic Wembley Stadium on their latest ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour. Along with performances filled with dazzling light displays, the tour and its showmen have put forward a powerful case study for a different kind of concert energy. Stephen Lankfer, associate director at Consultus Sustainability discusses how large-scale, live entertainment and environmental responsibility can, and must, coexist.
World tours, packed stadiums and high impact performances from global artists are a fundamental part of our culture; bringing people together to share a positive experience for a few hours. Some of the team and I were recently lucky enough to get tickets to see Coldplay at Wembley and it was just that – a really positive experience. However, as a sustainability professional I couldn’t help but think that these experiences come at a cost; they have a significant carbon footprint!
But there is always another way, a more sustainable way, of achieving the same end goal and so it was really pleasing to see the proactive sustainability commitment from Coldplay, with their latest tour being a showcase of eco action. Founded on three principles of ‘reduce, reinvent and restore’, the headline act worked with its tour management, suppliers, and logistics partner DHL to implement a robust sustainability plan. The band pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 50% compared to its previous global tour, support green technologies and use the tour to positively impact the environment.
Creating Sparks
Among the raft of initiatives adopted, perhaps the most impressive was what powered the shows. Solar photovoltaic panels were setup at each venue to charge a custom-built, mobile show battery system made from recycled BMW i3 batteries. This innovative set-up was capable of powering the entire concert with 100% renewable energy.
The tour also made extensive use of sustainable biofuels, specifically renewable diesel made from waste products like used cooking oil, to power generators and tour trucks, significantly reducing emissions from logistics. The band also prioritised using grid power from 100% renewable sources whenever available, completing a multi-faceted approach to sustainable show production.
The stage itself was constructed from lightweight, low-carbon and reusable materials like recycled steel, while the lighting and audio systems were upgraded to be ultra-efficient, resulting in up to 50% less power consumption. All special effects, including confetti and pyrotechnics, were redesigned to be either 100% biodegradable or to use less explosive charge and eliminate harmful chemicals.
Fans could use kinetic floors to generate power from dancing and jumping – a meaningful way to celebrate the energy of the music. Not forgetting the star(s) of the show, the reusable LED wristbands, that were made of 100% compostable, plant-based material. In London, these achieved an impressive return rate of more than 85%, allowing them to be collected, sterilised, and reused for future shows.
Looking through Green Eyes
Live music is an industry that continues to grow and evolve to incorporate new and exciting ways to engage with audiences – but in addition to this is the idea of being ‘there’ and feeling part of something bigger.
This is certainly an element that Coldplay has worked into its eco goals; the strategy was not limited to the hours of the show, but was circulated throughout the tour, targeted at venues, suppliers and fans, to participate and enhance the results. This includes how fans were encouraged to travel to the event and choosing locations that were accessible by rail and foot.
In addition, the importance of acknowledging where there are shortcomings is also part of the drive for more transparency and to avoid greenwashing. The band admitted that there were still elements of their tour that were not as carbon friendly as they would like – such as having to take international flights – but that they were striving to make sure they were mitigating where possible and using offsetting as a last resort. The key point is that they started their sustainability journey.
What Coldplay’s sustainability plan ultimately proves is what can be achieved when partnerships are established, a pathway designed, and ideas put into action. It points to a clear message for other musicians, stadiums and the wider entertainment industry, of what can be achieved. Coldplay and its partners have certainly set a new benchmark, putting sustainability centre stage, and forcing audiences everywhere to sit up and listen.
For more information on designing your own carbon reduction plan or net zero pathway, visit: https://consultus-sustainability.co.uk/
To read more about Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour sustainability plan, visit: https://sustainability.coldplay.com/
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact Hannah Bullock or Phoebe Ram at Cartwright, or call 0115 853 2110.
Notes to editors
Consultus Sustainability is part of the Consultus Group and specifically works with businesses and their supply chains to plan, prioritise and achieve their carbon neutral goals, and in the process help them to use less energy, reduce costs, better manage risk, and increase their energy security. Our clients include – Weetabix, Radisson Hotel Group, English National Opera, The National Lottery and Maersk.
We focus on supporting businesses with their Net Zero ambitions and goals. We appreciate not all businesses are the same and their Net Zero journeys will be different. Consultus Sustainability can help businesses no matter where they are on their Net Zero journey.