First Certified Green Venues + Upcoming Events!
Since our last update, we’ve launched a new report on sustainable music venues, unveiled Australia’s first Green Venue Directory, and connected with artists and music lovers nationwide.
Alongside these milestones, we’re excited to introduce the country’s first certified Green Venues, share how NSW venues could slash costs while cutting carbon, and highlight the latest events, campaigns, and opportunities to get involved.
MEET AUSTRALIA’S FIRST CERTIFIED GREEN VENUES
Image description: Nathan Stratton, venue owner of La La La’s, standing at the entrance of the venue wearing a No Music On A Dead Planet t-shirt. Credit: Chris Frape.
Nine pioneering venues have become the first to achieve Green Venue Certification, assessed on energy, waste, water, food & drink, and procurement. Their star ratings are now listed on our Green Venue Directory.
Certified venues include: Anita’s Theatre · Bondi Pavilion · Brunswick Picture House · Club 77 · ICC Sydney · King St Newcastle · La La La’s · The Lansdowne Hotel · Metro Theatre
NSW venues can now register their interest to become a certified Green Venue, ahead of our next intake.
A PATHWAY FOR VENUES TO REDUCE COSTS AND EMISSIONS
Image description: a close-up image of a 'Green Venue Certified Sticker' on a window frame. Credit: Chris Frape.
Our new NSW Venue Sustainability Health Check Report reveals that by adopting greener practices, venues could save $1.53 million annually and cut 70,000+ tonnes of emissions - the equivalent of taking more than 16,000 cars off the road.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY CALL
Image description: a purple banner promoting Community Call #2, a regular online meetup for musicians + music workers who care about climate.
In August, we held our first ever online community call where musicians and music workers swapped ideas, shared challenges, and sparked new collaborations. We’ll be doing it again on the 16th of September and we hope to see you there!
CLIMATE + MUSIC MEETUP
Image description: a green banner promoting a climate + music meetup in Canberra/Ngunnawal.
Following our Meanjin/Brisbane meet up, we’re heading to Canberra/Ngunnawal on Friday 24 October at Smith’s Alternative. Climate-conscious artists, volunteers, and music workers are all welcome.
CREATIVE CLIMATE PLANTING PARTY
Image description: volunteers Liv (left) and Sab (right), with Community Organiser Tim in the middle, at their No Music On A Dead Planet merch stall.
Last Sunday’s Planting Party was one for the books! Volunteers from across the arts community pitched in to revegetate 7 parklands in Victoria before heading to Fed Square for a celebration of live music, stalls, and workshops.
We’re proud to be a member of Creative Climate, the new national arts + climate peak body driving sector-wide action. Stay in touch with Creative Climate here.
FESTIVAL SUSTAINABILITY SESSIONS
Our Festival Sustainability Sessions give organisers targeted training from industry experts to help improve festival operations.
So far, we’ve explored practical strategies to cut waste, lower energy-related emissions, and roll out effective reusable systems.
Upcoming Sessions:
📍Using Data to Drive Change: Monday 22 September
📍Messaging Sustainability: Monday 20 October
Run as part of Party With The Planet, these sessions are open to festival organisers and staff keen to improve their environmental impact. Submit an EOI here to join.
IN THE NEWS
🎥 Screenings of Coral’s Last Stand are happening around the country as momentum grows in the fight to save Scott Reef from Woodside’s Browse project. The film follows musician and GMA patron John Butler and author Tim Winton, on their voyage to the gorgeous reef to discover exactly why it's so important to be protected.
🙌 In greatnews, Raelene Cooper and the Save Our Songlines project have secured an important legal decision in their fight to protect Murujuga sacred rock art from further damage caused by North West Shelf gas expansions. Follow their IG for further updates.
🗞️ This article from The Guardian highlights how Aussie musicians are finding ways to reduce their climate impact on tour. We were proud to contribute insights from our Venue Sustainability Health Check Report, which shows that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet - but is also good for business!
✊ Over in the UK, Brian Eno, The Cure's Robert Smith, Lola Young, Paloma Faith, Massive Attack, Imogen Heap, and SHERELLE are among 100+ artists publicly calling on the UK's Prime Minister to reject the development of Rosebank - an oil field in the North Sea whose fate will be decided in coming months. Read more here.
THINGS YOU CAN DO
✍️ The Federal Government is due to set Australia’s 2035 climate target - a decision that will shape the future of every Australian. Sign Climate Council’s petition to call on the Government to set the strongest possible target and take urgent climate action.
🌏 Sign Julie’s Bicycle global petition that unites artists, artivists, creative industries, cultural heritage keepers and organisations to celebrate and unite in our commitment to protecting our earth. Let’s put culture at the heart of climate action and join them in reaching 10,000+ signatures!
👥 We’ve created a LinkedIn group for people working in the Australian Music Industry who are interested in sustainability. This is a place to share sustainability wins, questions, thoughts & ideas. Request to join the Music & Sustainability Australia group here!
💬 We’ve also started a WhatsApp group for our most committed volunteers, musicians and community members to get regular updates and connect with one another. If you’re interested in joining, please email [email protected]
Thank you for your ongoing support of Green Music Australia, and remember you can always keep up with us on our socials!
If you’d like to help us grow our impact, you can sign up to volunteer, purchase a tee or make a donation below.
Green Music Australia is supported by the Australian Government through Music Australia. The Green Venue Program and Party With The Planet are also supported by the NSW Government through Sound NSW.
