Coldplay has spent the past year working to make the Ball Music World Tour more sustainable, and fresh painting report, results in. In addition to reducing their carbon emissions by nearly 50% since their last tour, the band has planted 5 million trees as they travel the world playing music.
The band has pledged to plant one tree for every ticket sold for the tour, as well as halve their carbon emissions compared to the 2016-2017 Head Full of Dreams Tour. In a statement, they said the “Spheres Music World Tour” generated 47% less emissions than show production, shipping, and travel for the band and crew. The data was independently evaluated by John E. Fernandez, professor at the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative.
Looking to the future, Coldplay revealed ways they hope to continue to improve their sustainability practices. “Now that we’re in the second year of the tour, we’re starting to run the entire show (sound, lights, lasers, etc.) off of a battery electric system that allows us to use 100% renewable energy as efficiently as possible,” they said. “We’ve used electric vehicles and fuels. alternatives wherever we can, as well as minimizing the use of waste and plastic.”
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In addition to these band practices, Coldplay also encouraged their fans to prioritize environmental protection when attending their shows. The band introduced exercise bikes and kinetic dance floors that allowed fans to help run their stage show, and suggested concert-goers use alternative transportation and bring their own water bottles to concerts. Chris Martin and company also provided financial support to organizations such as ClientEarth, The Ocean Cleanup and Sustainable Food Trust throughout the tour, while food and toiletries were donated to unhoused people.
Coldplay’s Current Tour—one of the summer’s most popular shows—runs through October, and tickets are on sale here. The band recently contributed to Brian Eno’s annual Earth Day compilation album, which benefits Eno’s EarthPercent organization.
Here at Consequence, we recently looked into what it takes to run a carbon neutral music festival.
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