This article was originally published over at Julie’s Bicycle and can be found here.

A new report, From carbon footprints to cultural influence: engaging live music audiences on travel choices, has launched on 30 November 2022. Just like any other sector, live music must cut its carbon footprint in line with climate targets. But one major part of this carbon footprint — how the millions of fans who attend events each year travel to and from shows — has remained stubbornly resistant to change.

Unlike most other sectors, live music has highly visible cultural platforms, and audiences with shared passions and values in common. Live events can build on this unique position to connect with audiences on the travel choices they make – not only at events and festivals, but more widely. The report (kindly supported by the CAST Impact fund) is based on roundtable discussions with specialists from across the music industry, a small survey of Shambala festival audience members, and a review of climate communication research.

By harnessing the cultural footprint live events have, can faster progress be made on cutting their carbon footprint?

The report is written by researchers Dr. Adam Corner, Climate // Communication // Culture, and Briony Latter, Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), with inputs from Julie’s Bicycle.