Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour beats emissions target through creative solutions
Globally prominent rock band Coldplay has announced that they have reduced their touring carbon footprint by 59% compared to their previous tour – through a series of creative solutions such as kinetic dancefloors, recyclable LED wristbands and the band travelling by train.
On Monday, Coldplay announced that direct CO2 emissions from the first couple of years of the ongoing ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour are 59% less than their previous stadium tour (2016-2017), on a show-by-show comparison, reported the Guardian.
In relation to the ongoing tour, the British band had initially pledged to reduce their carbon emissions from production, freight, band and crew travel by at least 50%. But a couple of years later, the band say they have surpassed that figure – and their friends have helped considerably.
Coldplay thank fans for helping make tour eco-friendly
“Everyone who’s arrived by foot, bike, ride share or public transport; everyone who’s come with refillable water bottles or returned their LED wristband for recycling; and everyone who’s bought a ticket, which means you have already planted one of 7 million trees so far.”
Coldplay concerts have featured kinetic dancefloors that generate electricity through the audience jumping on customised tiles. During the events, fans are also encouraged to use power bikes, that help charge smaller stage areas during concerts, besides solar installations.
Last July, an interim report suggested Coldplay had fallen just short of their objective, achieving a 47% drop in carbon emissions. But the latest figures suggest the ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour has become more efficient as it goes on.
Other artists criticised for excessive use of private jets
The band’s data has been collated by sustainability business Hope Solutions and their claims verified by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For every ticket sold, a tree has been planted by the global reforestation non-profit One Tree Planted. 7 million tickets have been sold so far.
Live touring is a carbon-intensive business. Several artists such as Taylor Swift have been criticised for excessive use of private jets for touring and personal use. Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin has promised to never tour again unless it was done sustainably.
In 2021, the British rock band announced a 12-point plan to reduce carbon emissions at the time of touring. Besides Coldplay, several other musicians and bands have also been making headlines across the globe for their deepening focus on sustainability.
