Merlin and IMPALA have collaborated on the launch of the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund.
The fund – announced on Earth Day – is a multi-year joint initiative between Merlin and IMPALA, designed to accelerate the independent music community’s transition toward a more sustainable future.
The fund honours the legacy of Horst Weidenmüller, the founder of !K7 Music, a long-standing board member of both Merlin and IMPALA, as well as a co-founder of Merlin.
He played a central role in shaping IMPALA’s Sustainability Programme in 2021, including its Carbon Calculator, which launched in 2022 and helps labels measure and reduce their environmental footprint.
The fund will provide the resources needed to develop the Carbon Calculator, provide guidance for labels and carry out market assessments to make it more globally available. Additionally, the fund will support IMPALA’s ability to offer strategic advice and training to independent labels and distributors that use the Carbon Calculator.
The fund will also facilitate significant enhancements to the tool and generally support the work of the IMPALA task force.
"Horst was not only a fierce advocate for independent music, but also for our planet,” said Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin. “He believed in driving real and sustaining change – through leadership, innovation, and action. We all have a role to play in the preservation of our planet and a more sustainable future. Merlin is proud to launch the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund and to help meet our commitment through the incredible work of IMPALA.”
Helen Smith, executive chair of IMPALA, said: “We are delighted to partner with Merlin on the launch of the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund. This continues our strategic relationship with Merlin as a key driver of the sector's sustainability work. Horst was a true visionary. He believed in the power of collective initiatives as well as the business case for individual action. This fund honours Horst’s profound impact across the whole industry.”
Marie Clausen, managing director of Ninja Tune North America, added: "Horst Weidenmüller envisioned a music industry where sustainability is deeply embedded in every aspect of the business. Realising that vision requires more than good intentions – it demands tangible action and investment in the infrastructure that enables independent labels to thrive sustainably. The Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund is created to provide exactly that kind of support and stands as a powerful tribute to his life’s work."
Tom Nieuweboer, CEO of !K7, said: “Horst was my companion, mentor, and friend for decades. His passion for music always went hand in hand with a deep sense of responsibility for our planet which was becoming part of the DNA of !K7. Horst was a true role model – for me personally, and for many across the music industry. The launch of the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund is not only a tribute to his commitment but also a call to the industry to follow in his footsteps. This fund ensures that his vision will not only be remembered but actively carried forward with real impact.”
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