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is Coldplay leading the Way in ethical Music Tours?
in the realm of music and environmentalism, Coldplay has found itself at the intersection of praise and criticism for its eco-friendly initiatives.
Last year, the band made headlines for their ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions during their tours, a move applauded by many environmental advocates. However, their partnership with an oil company has sparked controversy, which the Guardian went further to label Coldplay as “useful idiots”, leading to accusations of greenwashing and raising questions about the sincerity of their sustainability efforts.
Coldplay’s partnership with Neste
Coldplay’s recent partnership with the Finnish oil company Neste to slash their touring emissions has ignited a debate over the band’s commitment to environmentalism. While Neste touts itself as a producer of sustainable biofuels, allegations of deforestation linked to its palm oil suppliers have raised concerns about the sincerity of Coldplay’s sustainability efforts. Critics have accused Coldplay of greenwashing, arguing that the partnership with Neste undermines their environmental message.
Carlos Calvo Ambel, a senior director at the Transport and Environment campaign group, lambasted the collaboration, labelling it as a cynical attempt by Neste to whitewash its reputation. He called on Coldplay to sever ties with Neste and focus on genuinely clean solutions to reduce their carbon footprint.
Coldplay’s Sustainable Touring Commitment
Despite the backlash, Coldplay has doubled down on their commitment to sustainability. Their “Music of the Spheres” world tour incorporates various eco-friendly initiatives, including planting a tree for every ticket sold and powering the tour with renewable energy.
An update on our sustainable touring initiatives
— Coldplay (@coldplay) June 2, 2023https://t.co/KmgrbEXmld#MusicOfTheSpheresWorldTour pic.twitter.com/cLWfrTXMjQ
However, the band acknowledges that their journey towards sustainability is a work in progress and that they are continually striving to improve their environmental practices.
Neste has also defended its partnership with Coldplay, asserting that they do not condone sustainability violations in its operations. They emphasize their commitment to using renewable waste products, such as cooking oil and byproducts from wood pulp manufacture, in their biofuel production.
A note about Environmental Concerns with Neste’s Biofuels:
Critics argue that the sustainability of Neste’s biofuels is questionable, citing concerns about the source of raw materials and the environmental impact of their production. The use of palm oil and animal fats in biofuel production has come under scrutiny, raising questions about deforestation and agricultural emissions.
Coldplay and BMW
Coldplay’s collaboration with BMW, which provides rechargeable electric vehicle batteries for their shows, has also drawn criticism. BMW’s lobbying efforts against EU emissions regulations have led some to question Coldplay’s alignment with the car manufacturer.
Despite the controversies, Coldplay remains committed to reducing its carbon emissions and promoting sustainability in the music industry. They have made significant strides in cutting their touring emissions, with new figures showing a 47% reduction compared to their previous tour.
Inspiring Change
As Coldplay continued their “Music of the Spheres” world tour, they faced ongoing challenges and scrutiny regarding their environmental practices. However, their efforts to prioritize sustainability set a precedent for other artists and inspired discussions about the intersection of music and environmentalism.
The same intersection that Forte³ inspires to report in its magazine. to read more news about sustainability and music subscribe to be the first to know about them.
