By Alliance Intern Kaitlyn Downer from Oregon State University ‘25
The Grammy Awards celebrated uplifting music and raised badly-needed funds to address the devastation from LA wildfires. At the same time, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of acknowledgement regarding the root cause of the disaster: climate change.
In light of this, I think it’s important to acknowledge musical artists who are truly leading the way to addressing climate change in music and achieving sustainability. Who’s at the top of my list, you ask? The UK’s one and only Coldplay.
When I was 16, my mom asked me if I wanted to see Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams concert in Denver. Having grown up listening to their music, I loved the idea, but little did I know how the concert (and the band itself) would change my life.
Shortly after their 2016-17 world tour ended, they announced their plan to stop touring until they found a way to be as sustainable as possible. I had my doubts about this, as I really had no idea how touring the world while transporting incredible amounts of people and equipment could be even remotely sustainable. However, just like they did in 2016, the band truly amazed me. By 2022, their plan was in motion with the Music of the Spheres World Tour.
In March of 2022, I traveled from Hawaii to Phoenix to attend one of the first concerts in their new tour. I can still feel how deeply moved I was when they began the show by playing a mini film that described all the ways the tour contributes to environmental protection efforts. From supporting environmental projects to using clean energy whenever possible, the band has truly redefined sustainability in live music.
Coldplay pledged to reduce their carbon footprint by 50% compared to the A Head Full of Dreams tour, and by 2024, they exceeded their target by reaching 59%.
Coldplay has truly set the bar for sustainability in the music industry, and their efforts are nothing short of inspiring. The band works with One Tree Planted to ensure that with every ticket sold, a tree is planted, directly contributing to their goal of offsetting their carbon footprint.
Their stage production is another example of their dedication, running almost entirely on renewable energy. They even involve their fans in the process, using kinetic dance floors and electric power bikes to generate electricity during the show – a way to highlight that sustainability is fun and brings people together.
It doesn’t stop there. The LED wristbands handed out at concerts are made from 100% compostable, plant-based materials, and their confetti is completely biodegradable. They also work with venues to replace single-use water bottles with recyclable aluminum cups, showing their commitment to reducing waste.
On top of that, they source organic, locally grown food, offer plenty of plant-based options and donate leftover food to local food banks. They even compost whenever possible to ensure nothing goes to waste.
They’re taking significant steps towards sustainability by having merch from vendors who prove ethical work practices and fair wages who use organic cotton when possible instead of plastics and polyesters.
Coldplay is reducing their travel carbon footprint by trying to minimize air travel and paying a surcharge to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel sourced from waste cooking oil.
Coldplay’s dedication goes beyond their concerts, too. They donate 10% of their earnings to environmental organizations like ClientEarth, The Ocean Cleanup and One Tree Planted. Every choice they make reflects their passion for protecting the planet, and it’s clear that they’re leading the way in showing how live music can truly make a difference.
Fortunately, Coldplay is being increasingly joined by other leading performers, from The 1975 and AJR to U2 and Billie Eilish. And there is now a Music Sustainability Alliance to support other artists in changing their practices, as featured in our article.
Why I Care about Coldplay and Its Promise for the Planet
Coldplay staying true to their commitment to sustainability is incredibly important, as it sets an example for other performers and inspires young people like me to take action. One way that they do this is through their free tour app, which encourages fans to use low-carbon transportation to and from their shows.
The ways that they’ve improved their tour to offset carbon emissions exceeded my expectations, and the fact that they reached their goal just three years after their promise to find a better way to tour the world is truly remarkable.
I love Coldplay not only for their incredible music, but because they win my award for sustainability. I hope you’ll check them and let me know what you think.