Some touring musicians take their impact on the planet more seriously than others, and it shows.
A troubling side effect plagues the profession of the internationally touring artist: the environmental impact associated with such frequent travel. It’s the subject of much discussion online, from memes poking fun at Taylor Swift’s excessive private jet use, to Coldplay’s recent tour with a focus on offsetting the emissions they create. Artists are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to addressing this issue. The industry standard may be on the brink of change, but only if its biggest players, and their audiences, take a stand.
This conversation about the environmental ethics of touring musicians gained international attention with Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” world tour, which kicked off in March 2022. Through multiple sustainability initiatives, the group has produced 59 per cent fewer CO2 emissions than their “A Head Full of Dreams” stadium tour in 2016. Other impressive metrics, such as planting one tree for every ticket sold, can be seen in their extensive sustainability report, updated in June.
Their drastic action comes at a critical time. Within the United Kingdom alone, music-related tours for 850,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. Other artists have echoed Coldplay’s calls for sustainable practices in the music industry. Musicians who have also altered their touring practices to reduce their environmental impact include Billie Eilish, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, and AJR, among others.
As well as taking steps to reduce the impact of their own touring practices, some artists have decided to use their influence to encourage fans to take environmental action.
AJR frontman Adam Met, who has a PhD in international human rights law, recently founded Planet Reimagined, a non-profit organization. One of their key initiatives, “Amplify,” focuses on the way musicians “can serve as much needed climate messengers” by using their platform to encourage fans to act. AJR adopted this practice during their most recent tour.
However, at the opposite end of the spectrum, Taylor Swift’s recent worldwide “Era’s” Tour has sparked online controversy for its negative impact on the environment due to the star’s excessive use of private jets. University student Jack Sweeney, who tracks Swift’s air routes and posts their emissions and fuel use online, recently received a cease-and-desist from the star’s team, even though the information was already public.
This topic has become the butt of many online jokes at Swift’s expense, with quips that she uses her jet to travel to locations as close as the grocery store. Though hyperbolic, they raise valid environmental concerns regarding musicians’ touring practices.
Though some argue an artist’s celebrity status impinges on their ability to travel freely without harassment—making private jet use a common and safer option—there are other ways their carbon footprint can be reduced.
Billie Eilish, a star with a level of fame comparable to Swift, helped launch and fund REVERB’s Music Decarbonization Project, which aims to eliminate carbon emissions created by the music industry.
It’s unclear where this leaves the industry standard for musicians. Many fans are quick to call out unsustainable practices, yet artists’ shows remain well attended. This environmental concern may not be enough to quell the desire of seeing one’s favourite musician perform live.
Power ultimately lies with concertgoers, who can vote with their attendance, and their dollar. The industry norm is unlikely to change without audience pressure. By filling stadiums, these unsustainable practices are affirmed and allowed.
However, change from within the industry is also necessary. As huge stars like Eilish, and Coldplay have shown, more sustainable practices can be adopted without sacrificing fan attendance, and ultimately profit. If these artists can do it, then so can others.
Touring musicians’ impact on the environment is a by-product of the job. The way different artists tackle this issue shows their true colours when it comes to addressing the climate crisis.
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