Zero Carbon Records: Concert Protocol
Zero Carbon Records concerts aim to avoid all greenhouse gas emissions in:
- musicians’ transportation: for example, by bike, on foot, or via other carbon-free modes of travel
- the concert itself: use of 100% carbon-free electricity, or no electricity at all (meaning no amplification, sound systems, or electric lighting).
Carbon emissions are tolerated in certain situations where no way to avoid them has yet been found; these are referred to as carbon fiascos. The protocol for these concerts involves a series of mandatory rules (see the list below).
Artists’ Commitments
1- Prepare a set suitable for low-tech, carbon-free amplification, or one that is entirely acoustic (requiring no electrical amplification).
2- Travel to and from the concert venue without emitting greenhouse gases.
3- Document the journey to the concert venue:
The journey is an integral part of a Zero Carbon Records performance—as is publicly sharing details of the trip on the social media accounts of the organizer, the artists, and ZCR. This constitutes a carbon fiasco (the hashtag #carbonfiasco must be included), but it is considered necessary under the ZCR protocol.
Explain that the journey is part of the performance. Show the artist setting off by bike or on foot (photos, videos, text). Zero Carbon Records and the organizers will also ensure the public dissemination of this content.
4- At the start of the concert, explain the ZCR protocol and its objective to the audience. Inform the audience of any potential carbon fiascos.
5- Perform the concert using 100% carbon-free energy, or without the use of electricity (no machines or effect pedals, no amplification or electric sound systems, no artificial lighting).
6- If it is impossible to fulfill any of the points a meeting must be convened between the artists, organizers, and ZCR to determine whether or not a carbon fiasco has occurred.
Organizers’ Commitments
1- Provide artists with a carbon-neutral performance environment
The concert must be powered either by 100% carbon-neutral electricity or without the use of electricity. The concert venue will be selected based on this requirement.
In the case of an event without electricity, the venue must provide optimal acoustic and lighting conditions without amplification systems or artificial lighting.
2- In communications announcing the concert, present the Zero Carbon Records protocol
For example, as follows: (artist's name) will undertake a radical experiment in carbon-free music by following the Zero Carbon Records protocol and travelling to the concert venue without emitting greenhouse gases. The performance itself will also be carbon-free.
Also explain the ultimate goal: decarbonizing professional musical activity.
3- Communicate about the artist’s journey to the concert venue
a) Explain that the artists' journey is part of the performance. Show the artists' departure (possibly by bike or even on foot) through photos, videos, or text. Zero Carbon Records, the organisers, and the artists will handle the public dissemination of this content (social media, radio, etc.).
b) If a carbon fiasco occurs, mention it in communications regarding the artists' transportation. For example, the hashtag #carbonfiasco can be used online.
4- The Zero Carbon Records logo or name must appear in all communications regarding the concert announcement and the artists' travel arrangements.
5- Encourage the public to travel in a way that produces no greenhouse gas emissions
In concert announcements, mention bicycle parking locations as well as the lowest-carbon public transport options. Consider rewarding audience members who have made the effort to travel carbon-free (for example, by offering a discount on admission or a free drink, etc.).
6- Presentation of the Protocol
Before the concert, artists or organizers must briefly explain to the audience the Zero Carbon Records concert protocol and the efforts made by the guest artists to travel without CO₂ emissions.
7- If it is impossible to fulfill any of the points a meeting must be convened between the artists, organizers, and ZCR to determine whether or not to declare a carbon fiasco.