Green Music Australia has revealed a sustainability report at the Regional and Remote Music Summit in Byron Bay, Bundjalung Nation showing a pathway for NSW live music venues to reduce both costs and emissions.
The NSW Venue Sustainability Health Check Report reveals that if the recommendations in the report were scaled statewide, live music venues across New South Wales could save over $1.53 million annually and reduce emissions by more than 70,000 tonnes – the equivalent of taking over 16,000 cars off our roads.
Read the full report
The key findings from working with nine live music venues in NSW include:
- Venues could save an average of $10,388 per year by switching energy providers, improving efficiency through appliance maintenance and upgrades, and installing solar.
- To get to zero electricity emissions, venues could purchase accredited GreenPower and still see an average net annual savings of $3,736.
- This would require an initial investment between $1,988 (small venues) - $18,767 (medium venues), with return on investment within 1-4 years*.
- Many venues across Australia are unprepared and under-resourced to shift their operations in line with upcoming state and federal waste and emissions targets.
- Venues have made progress in sustainability by switching to LEDs, improving insulation, and participating in Container Deposit Schemes.
- Venues face significant operational challenges in reducing single use cups and crockery, and adapting to emerging food and organic waste bin mandates.
CEO of Green Music Australia, Berish Bilander says “Live venues are the beating heart of Australia’s music community, but they’re under pressure from rising energy costs, tightening regulations, and shifting audience expectations. This report shows that climate action is not only necessary, it can help reduce overheads. We need funding for energy upgrades, stronger policy support, and a cultural shift that embeds sustainability into the operations of our local music hubs.”
The report also identifies where venues have been taking action as well as opportunities for further improvement in energy, waste, water, procurement, transport, First Nations engagement, and governance.
The findings come from our Green Venue Certification pilot launched in 2025 aimed at helping live music venues transition to environmentally responsible operations. The program partnered with nine metropolitan and regional venues to assess and certify their environmental impact, scoring from a range of 2 through to 4 stars.
Participants include: Anita’s Theatre, Bondi Pavilion, Brunswick Picture House, Club 77, ICC Sydney, King St Bandroom, La La La’s, The Lansdowne Hotel, and Metro Theatre.
Beverley Parker, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, ICC Sydney: says “We are honoured that ICC Sydney is among the first entertainment venues to be certified as a Green Venue. As a major venue, we recognise the opportunity and responsibility to lead by example in environmental sustainability and social impact.
“This milestone not only reflects the strength of our current initiatives but also inspires our team to continue raising the bar. We’re excited to collaborate even more deeply with our clients and entertainment promoters to broaden the impact of their programs, particularly by strengthening connections with First Nations People, culture, and businesses, and by reducing waste and the carbon footprint of events. This recognition is a catalyst to continue to drive meaningful change through the events we deliver.”
Nathan Stratton, Owner, La La La's says "No one starts out as industry leaders. We think it’s important to recognise and advocate for all change. We can all make mindful adjustments and contribute to incremental change, just as we have done to get us to this point. Put simply, we’re proud of where we are at because we’ve put effort in to get here and because we care about our planet."
Following the success of the pilot, expressions of interest are now open for all NSW venues to become certified for their sustainability credentials. Venues who successfully complete the certification will be publicly recognised in a directory, allowing bookers, artists and audiences to understand which venues are leading the way in sustainability.
NSW Venue Sustainability Webinar
Want to learn more about the findings from Health Check Report? Join Green Music Australia's CEO Berish Bilander to hear about the findings of the report and the Green Venue Certification program pilot.
Tuesday 12 August, 1pm - 2pm AEST
The Green Venue Program is supported by the NSW Government through Sound NSW and the Australian Government through Music Australia.
