LIVE (Live Music Industry Venues & Entertainment) has partnered with A Greener Future (AGF) and the Music Venue Trust (MVT) on a green energy initiative.
The Live Events Energy Scheme (LEES), powered by Ecotricity Business, gives venues and promoters a simple way to cut carbon emissions by switching to 100% green energy. LEES works using the ‘energy basket’ model, meaning participants buy their energy collectively, driving down costs.
In a recent landmark supply agreement, The O2’s owner AEG agreed to join the transformative energy partnership, which will now enable thousands of smaller venues across the UK to benefit from economies of scale and access affordable renewable energy.
LIVE, LIVE Green, Ecotricity Business, AGF and MVT are now calling on all promoters, venue operators, and festival organisers to join the movement to help build a carbon-free live music industry.
Dale Vince OBE, founder of Ecotricity said: “This is really good news and a great opportunity for live music. By joining forces there really is power in numbers – thousands of venues can go green and have affordable energy. It’s a major step forward, and a proper milestone on the road to greening up the live entertainment world.”
By joining LEES and switching to Ecotricity Business, participants benefit from 100% certified renewable electricity and carbon-neutralised gas. They will also be investing in the UK’s renewable infrastructure, and their collective action helps accelerate the decarbonisation of the entire industry.
Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, said: “LIVE, Ecotricity Business and A Greener Future have collaborated on numerous projects in recent years. From supporting pioneering research to celebrating sustainability at the LIVE Awards, our shared focus has been on helping live music to decarbonise. Collaborating on the Live Events Energy Scheme is an exciting next step that will offer venues and events a route to 100% renewable energy.”
Collaborating on the Live Events Energy Scheme is an exciting next step that will offer venues and events a route to 100% renewable energy
Jon Collins
Sam Booth, director of sustainability, AEG Europe, said: "Signing this agreement with Ecotricity has helped our business gain certainty and clarity on our energy procurement, while also marking an important step forward in our sustainability journey. Our hope is that our participation will help many others to realise these same benefits and compound the impact many times over."
Claire O’Neill, CEO & co-founder of A Greener Future, said: “AGF has worked with events for two decades finding opportunities to reduce emissions and support a greener future. Now, the Live Events Energy Scheme levels the playing field for access to truly green energy supply across venues and organisations. The coming together of the live sector with the energy sector means we can more quickly build new renewables and reach our net zero targets in an affordable way.”
Mark Davyd, CEO & Founder of Music Venue Trust, said: “Grassroots music venues want to be at the forefront of the move towards carbon neutrality but have struggled to identify suppliers who are truly committed to 100% renewable energy. We look forward to working with Ecotricity to identify how the Live Energy Events Scheme can tap into a strong will for positive change at the grassroots level.”
Carol Scott, chair LIVE Green, added: “Tackling the climate crisis requires collaborative business and industry initiatives over multiple disciplines. At LIVE we are delighted to partner with Ecotricity and A Greener Future to create a green energy basket that will allow stakeholders across live events to purchase renewable electricity at affordable rates. We hope this will inspire our audiences to create the cultural change we need to ensure a greener, healthier world for everyone.”
