CCS, researchers and Glasgow’s music sector team up to launch ‘Towards a Just and Green Music City’ initiative

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have launched a new initiative that aims to unite Glasgow’s UNESCO City of Music identity with the city’s ambition to become net zero by 2030.

Creative Carbon Scotland and many of the city’s music businesses and organisations have collaborated on the initiative, which aims to identify what Glasgow’s music sector needs to thrive in the future, co-design projects to meet the sector’s needs and investigate the role music and culture can play in a broader just and green transition.

A website has been launched to mark the initiative, which hosts resources and guidance for city stakeholders including musicians, venues, music ensembles, policymakers, and researchers, environmental organisations and fans. It also contains a directory of music businesses in the city and a comprehensive map identifying over 200 spaces for live music in Glasgow.

Matt Brennan, Professor of Popular Music at the University of Glasgow, said:

“We’ve been lucky to have the feedback and participation of many of the city’s largest music organisations including DF Concerts and Events, 432 Presents, the SEC Hydro, SWG3, Celtic Connections and Glasgow Life. We’ve also had input from grassroots venues like St Luke’s, the Rum Shack, and the Glad Café, as well as local labels and shops like Last Night From Glasgow, Monorail, to name only a few.

“All of these have informed the design of the Just and Green Music City project. We hope to build on this network and are now putting out a call to other interested music stakeholders – either within Glasgow or those from other cities hoping to do similar work – to get involved in the initiative via the contact form on the website.”

Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts & Events, said:

“In 2023, we asked fans, staff and contractors to ‘Play Your Part’ in taking climate action at our events. This campaign encouraged circular fashion, use of public transport and active travel, the use of reusable water bottles, plant-based eating and composting. Next year, we will be continuing on our decarbonisation journey, enhancing our data collection in food and transport whilst expanding our ongoing investment in 100% HVO biofuel with trials of power technologies. Collaboration is key to a thriving Glasgow music scene and we are happy to support this initiative as part of our ongoing commitment to meaningful change in the city.”

Debbie McWilliams, Director of Live Entertainment for the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), said:

“We are committed to sustainability, as evidenced by Glasgow’s OVO Hydro becoming the world’s first arena to achieve A Greener Arena (AGA) certification for its commitment to sustainability earlier this year. Our ambition to become net zero by 2030 aligns with the broader ambition of the city of Glasgow as a whole to do the same, and we are therefore happy to see this initiative showing what role the city’s music sector can play in this goal.”

Lewis Coenen-Rowe, culture/SHIFT Manager at Creative Carbon Scotland, said:

“It’s been great to work with Dr Matt Brennan on this project and benefit from the skills and knowledge that researchers at Glasgow University can bring. We’d love to see the concept rolled out in other places so that the music industry can stand front and centre in the just and green transition.”

For more information contact Aine Allardyce, Communications Manager, University of Glasgow on 07976 201938 or email aine.allardyce@glasgow.ac.uk or media@glasgow.ac.uk.

Or email Lewis Coenen-Rowe: lewis.coenen-rowe@creativecarbonscotland.com

Visit our Towards a Just and Green Music City project page.

(Top image ID: Green image of Glasgow waterfront. Overlaid text reads: Towards a Just & Green Music City.)

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