While virtual and streamed concerts are now regarded as sustainable methods by which artists can reach their fans, live music scenes are expected to return soon. Actually, criticisms about the carbon footprint and wastes produced by traditional concerts and music festivals are no longer as pronounced as they were before, because even before the pandemic, actions were already being taken to address such issues. The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) has been partnering with REVERB, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with musicians, venues, planners, organizers, suppliers and service providers in making the music world’s concert scenes environmentally friendly.
About the UNEP and REVERB Partnership
The UN Environmental Programme or UNEP is part of the UN’s 2015 agenda to advance the sustainability movement. UNEP was formed to speed up the process of achieving the 17 key goals embodied in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in different categories and industries. To help the music industry shift to sustainable methods that will help achieve the 17 goals, UNEP went into partnership with REVERB.
REVERB was founded based on the underlying concept that music has the power to inspire pragmatic actions, sense of caring and positive feelings in people.
Prior to the global health crisis caused by the pandemic, REVERB was already focused on making the music industry’s concerts and festivals shift to greener practices.
Examples of REVERB’s Approaches to Greening the Music Industry
REVERB’s #RockNRefill which began in 2013 was able to prevent the use of over 2.4 million single-use bottles in many concerts held in North America. The non[profit organization collaborated with Nalgene, a leading maker and provider of of eco-friendly refillable water bottles as a way to reduce the environmental impact of plastic wastes.
The unCHANGEit initiative, a campaign that tackles the greenhouse gas emissions linked to the music industry. All members of the music community are encouraged to lessen their carbon footprint by following pointers on how they can reduce their carbon footprint; such as the travels made by musicians, deejays, support crews and fans. In cases where emergy use cannot be reduced, the organizers are advised to counterbalance the carbon effect by funding global projects that put a stop to greenhouse gas emissions.
This UNEP partner is also into educating concert and festival fans regarding environmental issues, including the need to protect the soil from degradation and contamination while going about with their festival merry making. While the use of crane mats for outdoor concert locations is not necessary, there are suitable forms of ground protection mats that not only make the festival grounds safer, but also environment-friendly.
REVERB provides fans with an online platform to allow for interaction with different environmental partners. The platform furnishes all information that can enlighten fans on how they can help protect the planet through UNEP’s many initiatives.
