As we lean into summer, here’s hoping you all have a fun and successful season of music. We are doing a lot of work behind the scenes with our friends at Beyond the Valley, Wildlands, Party in the Paddock and more, and can’t wait to see what happens with all the new initiatives taking place to create a greener music scene.
We’ve had a huge couple of years at Green Music Australia. I’d like to personally thank our CEO and Board for their steadfast vision and our excellent staff members for supporting our projects and initiatives with such passion and joy.
Read on for some of our recent activities and some reflections on our outcomes this year. For a deeper dive on our impact over the past two years, you can review our Bi-Annual Report here.
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL NSW VENUES TO GO GREEN
Earlier this year, Green Music Australia launched the pilot of Australia’s first Green Venue Certification Program. Thanks to the support of Sound NSW, we certified nine venues across the state.
We are excited to share that all music, arts and cultural venues across NSW are now able to certify their venue based on our very thorough Certification Framework. If this sounds like something your venue is interested in, fill out this EOI formand we will be in touch.
SUSTAINABLE MUSIC & MERCH ALLIANCE: UPDATE
Launched in September, our Sustainable Music & Merch Alliance brings together record labels, merch companies, manufacturers, retailers, and distributors across Australia and New Zealand to understand and reduce the environmental impact of music and merchandise.
The alliance is already leading to great outcomes, such as our Green Guide to Physical Music - a first-of-its-kind guide to sustainable vinyl & CD manufacturing in Australia. Download it here, and keep an eye out for our sustainable merch guide coming in early 2026.
Inspired by our Green Guide, triple j’s Hack team recently visited vinyl plant Program Records and spoke to artist Stella Donnelly to highlight some of the green vinyl choices that are now possible in Australia. We love to see a spotlight shining on stories like this - listen back here (our segment starts at 17:30 mins).
WANT TO JOIN PARTY WITH THE PLANET?
Speaking of industry alliances, Party With The Planet is a coalition that brings together festivals, suppliers, councils and contractors who want to learn and promote sustainable practices at music festivals. Over a series of webinars this year, we broke down topics like reusables, temporary power, waste, messaging and data, with the help of practical case studies and experts in each field.
Party With the Planet will return in 2026 with a new schedule of topics kicking off in March. If you'd like to join these calls, please fill in the EOI form here.
GREEN MUSIC AUSTRALIA AT SXSW SYDNEY & BIGSOUND
Thank you to everyone who joined us at recent events at SXSW Sydney and BIGSOUND. We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to share our knowledge and insights in front of music sector audiences who are keen to learn how to make change happen.
At SXSW Sydney, our National Programs Manager Emma Bosworth, joined a panel on the importance of embedding sustainability into live music:how to empower events to lead on climate action, how to strengthen communications and messaging, and using data to better understand and guide audience behaviour in impactful ways.
For BIGSOUND, we hosted a live green venue tour of Fortitude Music Hall, talking through the key principles of the Green Venue Guide and showing what practical changes can be made to reduce energy usage, emissions and reduce waste.
PREPARING FOR MANDATORY CLIMATE REPORTING
Starting in 2026, Australia is rolling out mandatory climate-related disclosures under AASB S2 – a major shift that will require many large organisations to include climate reporting in their annual financial statements. Our advice is that you start preparing now.
We invite you to a free online session on Monday 2nd February, 12pm (AEDT), in partnership with sustainability consultants Earthed, to guide you through the reporting requirements, and provide some handy resources to help you.
We recommend participation from those who will be hands-on in the implementation of mandatory reporting, for example: sustainability manager, finance manager, risk or strategy manager, compliance manager, HR manager, director engagement, or governance lead.
This is a flexibly priced event, and registration is required. Learn more and grab your tickets here.
CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
🛠️ Got a burning sustainability upgrade or audit you’re keen to do? Applications are now open for NSW contemporary live music venue upgrades. Now’s your chance to have 70% of the funds covered!
Grants cover:
- Advice & Planning (up to $20,000, closing 22 Dec 2025),
- Infrastructure & Equipment (up to $150,000, closing 9 Feb 2026), and
- Advanced Screen and Lighting Technology (up to $200,000 for venues under 1,000 capacity and funding of up to $500,000 for venues over 1,000 capacity, closing 2 Feb 2026).
☀️ VIC-based businesses can save energy, reduce emissions and electrify with commercial and industrial solar PV systems. See what discounts your business is eligible for here.
⚡️ Energy upgrades are also available for VIC businesses to help reduce energy use and transition to electric solutions. Small businesses can save up to $500 annually, and larger businesses up to $74,000 annually. Learn more about the program here.
For other upcoming grants, bookmark our business grant resource - we do our best to keep it up to date.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Green Music Australia, and remember you can always keep up with us on our socials:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | TikTok
Thank you to the Australian Government through Music Australia and the NSW Government through Sound NSW for their support with our programs: Party With The Planet, Green Venue Program and The Sustainable Music & Merch Alliance. The Sustainable Music & Merch Alliance is also supported by the City of Sydney through its Innovation & Ideas Grant. The Green Venue Program is also supported by Creative Australia.
