A new study by MIT's Climate Machine has revealed that fan travel accounts for a staggering 62% of carbon emissions in the US live music industry, with this number falling to 77% in the UK. The research analyzed over 80,000 live music events across both countries and found that trucking, energy consumption, food and beverage, water, waste, and freight were also significant contributors to emissions.
However, when excluding fan travel, touring-related carbon emissions rose, with trucking making up 14% of US emissions and air freight accounting for nearly 35% of UK emissions. Large-format shows like stadium tours, on the other hand, generate a disproportionate share of total emissions, making them powerful catalysts for innovation and scalable climate solutions.
The study highlights the need for sustainable practices across the live music industry. According to Professor John Fernández and Dr. Norhan Bayomi, co-founders of MIT's Climate Machine, "this detailed accounting of emissions sources and amounts guides a set of recommendations that point to a new era of emissions reductions and sustainability practices across all of live music."
Industry experts are optimistic about the findings, with Live Nation's head of sustainability, Lucy August-Perna, stating that the data empowers them to continue taking coordinated action in partnership with artists, venues, and fans to preserve a strong future for live music and the communities that support it.
To tackle this issue, some artists have already started making changes. Billie Eilish's team worked with all venues on her 2024-25 Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to ensure that vendors sold at least one plant-based meal. The study notes that a shift towards plant-based menus could reduce these emissions by 40% or more.
As the live music industry continues to navigate the challenges of climate change, it is clear that transparency and collaboration will be key to reducing its carbon footprint. With this new report as a starting point, the industry can begin to make meaningful changes and work towards a more sustainable future.
However, when excluding fan travel, touring-related carbon emissions rose, with trucking making up 14% of US emissions and air freight accounting for nearly 35% of UK emissions. Large-format shows like stadium tours, on the other hand, generate a disproportionate share of total emissions, making them powerful catalysts for innovation and scalable climate solutions.
The study highlights the need for sustainable practices across the live music industry. According to Professor John Fernández and Dr. Norhan Bayomi, co-founders of MIT's Climate Machine, "this detailed accounting of emissions sources and amounts guides a set of recommendations that point to a new era of emissions reductions and sustainability practices across all of live music."
Industry experts are optimistic about the findings, with Live Nation's head of sustainability, Lucy August-Perna, stating that the data empowers them to continue taking coordinated action in partnership with artists, venues, and fans to preserve a strong future for live music and the communities that support it.
To tackle this issue, some artists have already started making changes. Billie Eilish's team worked with all venues on her 2024-25 Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to ensure that vendors sold at least one plant-based meal. The study notes that a shift towards plant-based menus could reduce these emissions by 40% or more.
As the live music industry continues to navigate the challenges of climate change, it is clear that transparency and collaboration will be key to reducing its carbon footprint. With this new report as a starting point, the industry can begin to make meaningful changes and work towards a more sustainable future.
️. but seriously, trucking and freight are also major emitters idk how ppl can justify using so much resources for one show 
. anyways, its heartening 2 c artists like billie eilish makin moves w/ plant-based meals on tour maybe we'll see more venues doin the same tho?
. And what about all those foodies who only eat organic, free-range options? It's just another way for the industry to profit off eco-friendly trends. I'd rather see them focus on using renewable energy sources for their shows and touring 
. A 40% reduction in emissions from plant-based meals is probably just a myth perpetuated by the study authors to make themselves sound more credible 
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. it's crazy that some shows are like stadium tours and they're just huge carbon monsters 
. but i'm actually kinda stoked about the study tho. it's all about finding ways to reduce emissions and make changes, right? like billie eilish's team working with venues on plant-based meals... that's a great start 
. and it's awesome that industry experts are optimistic about making a change. we need more transparency and collaboration in the live music world if we wanna save ourselves from climate change 
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And I love how the artists are already stepping up - Billie Eilish's team, for example, is working with venues to offer plant-based meals. That's just cool. 
! i've always felt like live music events are, like, the worst for the planet 
and a whopping 77% in the UK?! what can we do to reduce these emissions tho? i love that artists and venues are already making changes like promoting plant-based meals 
it's all about small steps leading to big change, right? 
Just kidding, but seriously, it's crazy how much of an impact our traveling fans have on the environment. On a more serious note, I think this study is super helpful in highlighting areas where the industry can make changes. Like, plant-based menus could be huge, especially if artists like Billie Eilish are already making them happen 
I'm so stoked about this study, I mean who knew fan travel was like, super bad for the planet? 
It's not gonna be easy, but if we work together, we can get this industry more sustainable and reduce those emissions. We just need to keep it up and keep the focus on the fans, they're the ones who really care about this stuff after all 
. But on a more serious note, it's awesome to see the industry taking steps towards sustainability, like Billie Eilish's team partnering with venues to offer plant-based meals 
i feel like we're puttin under so much pressure to reduce our eco-footprint & it's not just the music industry, everyone's gotta step up their game 
we gotta work together to make a difference 
. But trucking and air freight are where it's at, fam 
! Large-format shows might be the ultimate carbon culprits, but hey, those stadium tours can inspire some major sustainability moves 
. Plant-based menus are a great start, and if we can make it easy for fans to make eco-friendly choices 
, we might just reduce emissions by 40% or more! 
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! It's crazy to think that fan travel accounts for 62% of carbon emissions in the US live music industry. I mean, I get it, we love our live shows, but come on, let's be real 
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they're literally so good i had them at this food truck near my place last week and it was life changing