What if live music could be a force for climate action? In this Climate Month edition of Good News from Planet Earth, host Serge De Marre takes us behind the scenes of Coldplay’s groundbreaking Music of the Spheres world tour, where the band set out to reimagine what sustainable concerts could look like.
Instead of rushing into a traditional album tour, Coldplay paused in 2019 to partner with scientists and sustainability experts, including MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative. The result was a historic 2022–2023 tour that cut CO₂ emissions by 59 percent compared to their previous stadium tour.
From kinetic dance floors and power-generating bikes to free water refill stations, LED wristband recycling, and an app encouraging low-emission travel, Coldplay transformed concerts into a hands-on climate experience. For every ticket sold, a tree was planted—over seven million in total—helping restore forests and absorb hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon.
Beyond reducing emissions, the tour created joyful climate action, inviting fans to literally dance and pedal their way into powering the show. Coldplay’s success has also inspired other artists, from Radiohead to Billie Eilish, to rethink how live music can support sustainability.
If you are looking for an uplifting story about innovation, music, and climate solutions, this episode will show you how one band proved that values and creativity can reshape an entire industry.
Narrated by Serge De Marre from Voiceover for the Planet
Research and Further Reading:
Coldplay paused touring in 2019 to rethink sustainability; BBC interview quotes
• Overview/quotes about pausing touring for Everyday Life (2019), via major outlets referencing the BBC interview: Forbes roundup/quote. Forbes
• Additional news confirmations of the BBC interview decision (Axios; Pitchfork). AxiosPitchfork
They worked with MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative
• Coldplay sustainability update (mentions MIT/ESI validation). Coldplay
• Coldplay emissions update page (MIT-verified). Coldplay
• WMG press release on the MIT/Live Nation/WMG/Coldplay industry study. Warner Music Group
Launched Music of the Spheres Tour in 2022; emissions cut 59% vs 2016–17
Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.
Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud
Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios
If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email casting@voiceoverfortheplanet.com
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