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Building a sustainable music industry

The climate crisis one of the greatest challenges of our time – and it affects every part of society, including the music industry.

Whether you’re gigging, composing, teaching our touring, this Climate Action hub is designed to help you take action:

Whether you’re a performer, composer, educator or studio professional, this page is designed to help you reduce your environmental impact—and join others in building a greener future for music.

 

Climate Emergency Manifesto

Taking a Stand for Climate Action

As a union, we have the power to lead change across the UK music industry. Our Climate Emergency Manifesto – written by musicians, for musicians – details how our community can respond to the climate crisis with collective strength.

Read the manifesto
crowd cheering at a concert against the green lit stage

Advice & resources

MU Climate Emergency Action Group

Who we are

The Climate Emergency Action Group is a collective of Musicians’ Union members and staff taking urgent action on the climate and ecological crisis. Born from motions at 2021's Delegate Conference, we’ve grown from informal meetings into a quarterly, action-oriented committee — driven by a shared belief that musicians can help shape a sustainable future.

Co-Chairs:

  • Balraj Samrai – Manchester-based DJ, producer and activist
  • Bridget Walsh – London-based artist, advocate and organiser

What we do

We work at the intersection of music, people, and environment, combining creativity with activism to bring climate justice into the heart of the music industry. We aim to:

  • Develop and promote sustainable practices across the MU and wider industry
  • Advocate for government policy change and influence political parties
  • Create practical resources — the Climate Emergency Manifesto and other useful resources on the MU website
  • Represent environmental concerns in the MU Members’ Assembly
  • Provide a welcoming space for learning, discussion, and meaningful action.

Our roots

Our mandate comes from MU members calling for urgent climate action through Delegate Conference 2021 motions, including:

  • A Union-wide environmental policy
  • Sustainable internal practices
  • Support for music sector sustainability
  • Fossil fuel divestment

We’re here to make sure these aren’t just words, but the start of real, lasting change.

Find out more about MU Delegate Conference.

Join us

Would you like to be a part of the MU’s work to help musicians navigate the climate emergency? Email us with your ideas and feedback via green@themu.org and we’ll be in touch!

News on climate & environment

Festival Diaries: Creative Ways to Approach Sustainability

As the climate crisis intensifies, Aayushi Jain explores the balance between affordability and sustainability on the festival circuit. Drawing on her summer tour last year as an independent artist, she shares practical and creative ways to reduce the environmental impact of touring.

Published: 29 August 2025

Read more about Festival Diaries: Creative Ways to Approach Sustainability
Filkin’s Drift and their manager walking along a grassy road carrying backpacks and instruments.

Musicians and Sustainability: “We Should Use More Creativity When Booking Tours”

Last year MU member Chris Roberts (aka Hafren) undertook a 870-mile walking tour across the Welsh coast with his folk duo Filkin’s Drift. Here he shares the honest, humorous and relatable tale of the 50 show journey, and contemplates the benefits of thinking innovatively when booking tours.

Published: 20 February 2024

Read more about Musicians and Sustainability: “We Should Use More Creativity When Booking Tours”
General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in discussion outside of the Royal Opera House

2023 End of Year Round Up

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back on the work that the Union has done through 2023, as well as setting out some of MU’s intentions for 2024, and more general food for thought about the music industry.

Published: 30 December 2023

Read more about 2023 End of Year Round Up