Every global music tour requires intensive preparation and complex logistics. However, Coldplay has added to this complexity by setting an ambitious goal to make their Music of the Spheres Tour as sustainable as possible and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50%. DHL, a pioneer in the field of sustainable transport and logistics, will support the band on this journey with its extensive expertise.
Photo credit to @StevieRaeGibbs
“As leaders in our industries, it is our responsibility to lead the change but also inspire and facilitate sustainable solutions for other businesses and brands. We feel honored and proud that Coldplay has selected DHL to embark on this journey for change,” said Monika Schaller, Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications, Sustainability & Brand, Deutsche Post DHL Group.
Coldplay selected DHL as its logistics partner due to the company’s extensive expertise in sustainable logistics solutions. As the world’s leading logistics provider, DHL will support Coldplay’s efforts, especially in the field of sustainable transportation, by offering a multi-faceted approach to lowering CO2 emissions.
With its GoGreen Plus Service DHL’s customers are offered a suite of solutions for minimizing logistics- related emissions and other environmental impacts along the entire supply chain. Ocean and air freight emissions are reduced by the use of advanced biofuels. For land transportation, DHL is able to call upon an extensive fleet of electric vehicles and trucks fueled with Bio-LNG (liquified natural gas made from organic waste). The remaining part of the supply chain is made climate neutral by full lifecycle emission compensation – drawing down and offsetting any residual carbon emissions. DHL can ensure the lower CO2 emissions of their services are transparently passed onto its customers.
Aside from innovations in sustainable logistics led by DHL, Coldplay has introduced a variety of other initiatives to make their tour as low-carbon and environmentally beneficial as possible. Every show is powered by a mix of renewable energy (such as wind and solar energy) and certified renewable biodiesel. The band even harnesses fan energy through state-of-the-art kinetic floors and power bikes.
The band has also pledged to plant a tree for every ticket sold and to draw down significantly more CO2 than the tour produces through investment in a diverse range of carbon offsetting initiatives.
DHL and Coldplay’s shared hope is that the Music of the Spheres Tour will provide lessons and best practices for other artists to build on and push the live music industry towards an ultra-low-carbon and sustainable future
In line with the company’s sustainability strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 (“Mission 2050”), DHL is committed to sustainable logistics solutions that will decarbonize the entire logistics sector. As part of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s mid-term sustainability roadmap for 2030, the group strives to achieve the sub-target of having at least 30 percent of fuel requirements covered by sustainable fuels. To reduce CO2 emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, the Group will spend €7 billion on sustainable fuel and clean technologies by 2030.
Coldplay’s co-manager Phil Harvey said: “When we announced this tour, we pledged to reduce primary carbon emissions by more than 50% compared to the last tour. This can only happen with tour partners who share this vision and are willing to invest the necessary resources to make it happen. We’re grateful to DHL for their help in minimizing our tour’s freight emissions through their expertise and investment in sustainable logistics.”
