London’s O2 given ‘Commended’ status and recognised as ‘A Greener Arena’

The O2 in London has been given ‘Commended’ status, and recognised as ‘A Greener Arena’ by non-profit organisation A Greener Future.

• READ MORE: Savages’ drummer and Music Declares Emergency co-founder Fay Milton on climate change: “Music needs to get real”

The new status is given to arenas that show ‘demonstrable improvements’ and ‘a significant engagement in reducing negative environmental and social impacts’, and in the case of The O2, recognises the site’s longstanding commitment to making the live industry more sustainable.

Efforts made by the venue – which is owned and operated by AEG Europe – have made headlines across recent times. The most notable of which is the partnership it had with The 1975 in order to make the first “carbon removed” shows.

Announced in September last year, four shows with Matty Healy and co. were organised and set to be the world’s first such green-conscious large-scale concerts.

The gigs took place in February, and AEG Europe worked with carbon removal experts CUR8 and sustainable event specialists A Greener Future, using a portfolio of scientifically viable carbon removal methods, including rock weathering and biochar.

In April, figures showed that over 500 tonnes of residual carbon were safely extracted – the equivalent of the average yearly electricity usage of 395 homes. Since then, the venue organisers have confirmed plans to extend the blueprint to future live events.

Other examples of efforts made to be greener by The O2 include optimised energy efficiencies and significant enhancements to waste management. These include reusable cups and new waste sorting facilities both back and front-of-house.

Further, the venue has also invested in electric-powered vehicles to eradicate its fossil fuel emissions, and plans to install electric forklifts in 2025.

“From history-making moments like our carbon removed events, to the essential works we’ve done behind the scenes to create efficiencies and minimise waste and emissions, we’ve made incredible strides at The O2 this year and we’re proud to have this recognised by A Greener Future,” said Sam Booth, Director of Sustainability at AEG Europe.

“The path to net zero is one that is constantly evolving, and we’re committed to continued innovation so that we can deliver world-class, sustainable events for our fans, bands, and brands.”

Claire O’Neil, CEO at A Greener Future added: “We’re really happy for The O2 and want to congratulate their team for all of their efforts to run a greener arena. When one of the most iconic venues takes visible action for a more sustainable live sector it reverberates throughout the industry. With all shoulders to the wheel, we look forward to seeing what will come next!”

The O2’s commitment to being more eco-conscious reached new heights in November 2023, when it announced plans to launch its own ‘Green Rider’ and reduce the negative environmental impact of live music.

​​The drive sees the venue provide touring promoters and artists with a guide for how live entertainment productions can reduce CO2 emissions, make more sustainable choices for equipment and materials used, reduce waste and monitor their carbon footprint.

While The 1975 helped pioneer a new way of approaching live shows with their four O2 shows earlier this year, they are far from the first artists to make a push to make the live music industry greener.

Last year NME spoke to former Savages drummer Fay Milton about the ‘No Music on a Dead Planet’ campaign, which promotes the “power that music can have to create change for good” regarding the climate emergency.

Milton said that her dream was for “the music industry as a whole to really take a moment to take on board the real world situation that we’re in”.

“The music industry is very childish,” she added. “We run around thinking we’re special, we make a mess and someone else clears it up. We think that the rules don’t apply to us. In certain areas, that’s fun because it leads to creativity. When it comes to impact on the planet, it’s just not OK because the people you’re impacting are your audience.”

Another big name speaking out is Coldplay, whose huge ‘Music Of The Spheres’ tour dates have seen them produce 59 per cent less CO2 emissions than previous tours in 2016 and 2017. In August, it was declared as the highest-grossing rock tour ever.

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