How DHL, BMW & SAP Tech Make Coldplay Shows More Sustainable
The amount of people attending concerts is booming.
Around 151 million people attended nearly 55,000 events in 2024 through multinational entertainment company Live Nation, the owner of platforms like Ticketmaster.
This presents an evolving challenge, however, in growing travel-related emissions.
And it doesn't stop there, with the use of single-use plastics further exacerbating this issue, contributing to environmental waste.
However, Coldplay demonstrates a proactive approach during its tour, striving to elevate environmental awareness among its audience.
How Coldplay reduces its CO₂ emissions
Coldplay, in collaboration with tech leaders, reports a dramatic reduction in carbon emissions.
Through strategic consumption reduction and comprehensive recycling initiatives, the band has achieved a more than 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions.
Their concert series supports an array of projects focused on nature and technology-based solutions, achieving a notable decrease in emitted CO₂ levels.
The tour is supporting:
- Reforestation
- Rewilding
- Conservation
- Soil regeneration
- Carbon capture and storage
Coldplay also actively addresses emissions using guidelines from the Oxford Principles for net zero aligned carbon offsetting.
The band's partnership with DHL epitomises its commitment to reducing environmental impacts within the transportation and logistics sectors.
How is DHL reducing the tour's emissions?
DHL employs an advanced carbon intelligence and monitoring system to meticulously track the tour's carbon footprint. This allows for strategic operation optimisation.
The logistics company identified that more than 80% of CO₂ emissions came from transporting equipment by air.
To counteract these emissions, DHL developed the GoGreen Plus initiative, enabling air freight carriers to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which reduces fuel life-cycle emissions by 85% per flight.
“We've been highly impressed by DHL’s commitment to sustainability,” says Coldplay’s Co-Manager, Phil Harvey.
As well as this, DHL transported tour wristbands between venues using trucks powered by sustainable fuel, further reducing the tour’s environmental impact.
The tech behind Coldplay's sustainable power
In the build up to each show, solar photovoltaic panels are installed behind each stage to charge batteries for when the band arrives at the venue.
In collaboration with BMW, Coldplay has pioneered the first fully rechargeable show battery, utilising recyclable BMW i3 batteries, enabling the entire event to be powered by renewable energy sources.
The introduction of kinetic floors around stadiums adds a further eco-dimension, converting audience movement into energy.
Coldplay is also using biodiesel derived from hydrotreated vegetable oil to power essential tour operations.
How Coldplay makes its shows more sustainable
Coldplay’s approach to sustainable concerts emphasises the use of lightweight, low-carbon materials, including recycled steel.
LED wristbands provided to audiences are crafted from 100% plant-based compostable materials and are reused across shows, reducing production waste by 80%.
The concert venues leverage energy-efficient LED systems for lighting and sound, cutting power usage in half and mitigating noise pollution.
Biodegradable confetti and advanced pyrotechnics are used that have less explosive charge and environmentally friendly chemical formulas, demonstrating a commitment to reducing harmful emissions.
Engagement and Impact on Fans
Collaborating with SAP, Coldplay offers fans a free app that suggests low-carbon transport options to and from venues.
Fans committing to eco-friendly options are awarded discount codes as incentives.
At each concert, energy zones powered by solar and kinetic energy provide interactive experiences to educate fans about environmental stewardship.
Promoting a culture of sustainability, fans are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles, with refill stations available at venues.
Merchandise makes use of natural fibres and recyclable packaging, reinforcing the band’s dedication to environmental responsibility.
Coldplay says: “We’re happy to report that direct CO₂ emissions from the first two years of this tour are 59% less than our previous stadium tour (2016-17), on a show-by-show comparison. These figures have been verified by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to our incredible touring family and to all the brilliant people who’ve made this possible.
“Most of all, we’d like to thank everyone who’s come to a show and helped charge the show batteries on the power bikes and kinetic dance floors; everyone who’s arrived by foot, bike, ride share or public transport; everyone who’s come with refillable water bottles or returned their LED wristband for recycling; and everyone who’s bought a ticket, which means you’ve planted one of 7 million trees so far.
“As a band, and as an industry, we’re a long way from where we need to be on this. But we’re grateful for everyone’s help so far, and we salute everyone who’s making efforts to push things in the right direction.”
