Scoping Study of the Music Industry’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What is the problem?
Climate change is the defining environmental issue for the 21st Century requiring a radical transformation of society’s relationship to energy use and resource consumption. The best science-based estimates of action needed to prevent catastrophic climate change require that greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere be stabilised. This will require a 60-80%* reduction in emissions of carbon-dioxide (CO2); these emissions are mainly generated by the combustion of fossil fuels.
The UK music industry is a pivotal cultural and creative industry (nationally and globally); it therefore has the power - and the responsibility - to be a proactive leader in taking and driving climate change action. If the industry commits to becoming a climate leader, it needs to ensure, as a first step, that its own emissions are aligned with stabilisation targets.
Where to start?
Julie’s Bicycle is developing a cross-industry collaboration which aims to catalyse a sector-wide strategic response, starting with an understanding - and progressive management - of its own carbon footprint.
Why did Julie’s Bicycle commission its own research?
Before the music industry can develop a clear strategy for action on climate change it must first have an overview of its present greenhouse gas emission impact. It must also identify the opportunities and barriers for addressing this issue. In addition, it is helpful to understand where companies are in their thinking and action on energy use.
Julie’s Bicycle wanted a good knowledge base of how the music industry interfaces with climate change in order to effectively bring together the different constituents of the industry. Julie’s Bicycle not only wanted to understand the actual emissions of the industry, but also the commercial incentives and disincentives for taking bold action on climate change.
Why did Julie’s Bicycle ask the Environmental Change Institute to lead the research?
Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute (ECI) is a leading interdisciplinary academic research institute investigating many aspects of the climate change issue including from the science, governance to energy system. ECI is part of both the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the UK Energy Research Centre. Therefore, it is well placed to provide analysis of the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions as well as help the industry see the broader context in which it is acting and has influence.
What has the research investigated?
The research has been a 9-month project to indicatively estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of the music industry as well as investigate the opportunities and barriers for the industry to work together. The research analysed energy information from a wide number of companies in each of the main commercial activities of the industry: recording, distribution, retail, publishing, management, promotion, agents, and live performance. In addition, the research interviewed Chief Executives and key informants to develop a better understanding of how companies perceive this issue and the possibilities for taking action.
What next?
This first piece of research offers an initial snapshot of the greenhouse gas emissions of the industry. It has identified key priorities for the industry to address in developing an ambitious response to climate change. Finally, the research has been able to identify where it will be beneficial to do further analysis of particular issues so the industry can make informed judgements about how best to act.
The research will be presented on Friday April 18, 2008 at the Royal Geographic Society, London. Copies of the research will be available after this time.
*As recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Stern reviews.