Assessment of the Media and Entertainment Industry and Climate Change – Phase 1

The study developed three analytical frameworks to organize and quantify the diverse activities that generate emissions across the live music lifecycle. The decision-based framework maps key stakeholders and the operational choices they make that affect carbon output, spanning tours, indoor venues, studios, and outdoor festivals. The activities-based framework provides granular, lifecycle-stage emissions quantification, from pre-event logistics through performance delivery to post-event teardown, across sectors including power generation, food and water provision, artist and fan travel, equipment freight, accommodation, and waste management. The event-type-based framework models emissions by venue typology (clubs, theaters, arenas, stadiums) and integrates building energy simulation with location-specific climate and grid data.

Total annual emissions were calculated at 4.4 MtCO2e for the UK and 17.3 MtCO2e for the US. Fan travel emerged as the single largest contributor (68% in the UK, 49% in the US), followed by food services (20% UK, 35% US). The research also identified 33 targeted recommendations for emissions reduction spanning power, venues, transportation, food, fan travel, and artist travel.