Sustainability Programme
IMPALA’s sustainability programme was published on 8th April 2021. The programme sets an overall goal for the European independent music sector, with voluntary targets and voluntary tools, see more below.
- The overall ambition is to aim for a climate positive IMPALA membership by 2030 with an interim net zero target for 2026 (voluntary, also recognising every company and country is different).
- IMPALA’s work is defined by its IMPALA climate charter, see below and also available here in long form and implemented by the IMPALA sustainability task force.
- We are also one of the founding supporters of the Music Climate Pact, which we encourage all members to sign up to.
- IMPALA makes voluntary tools available to members:
- Voluntary guidance on reducing carbon, other sustainability tips.
- Climate declaration (voluntary) for individual companies, aligning themselves to the IMPALA target.
- A carbon calculator specific to the recorded music sector, powered by Julie’s Bicycle and with the financial support of a core group of members who volunteered to help pay for the tool to be developed, see more here.
- Possible options (voluntary) for collective investment solutions to offsetting, regeneration will also be reviewed by task force.
To read more about IMPALA’s task force and other sustainability work, click here.
As mentioned above, IMPALA is a supporter of the Music Climate Pact, initiated by the UK Association of Independent Music (AIM) and record labels association the BPI, as a response to COP26 and the urgent call for collective action to combat the climate crisis.
Find out more and join the pact here.
IMPALA’s Climate charter
IMPALA commits to:
1. Hold framework for European independent music sector targets
2. Convene and administer a Sustainability Task Force
3. Appoint a climate advocate for IMPALA’s board and each committee
4. Develop carbon reporting tool for members, disclose aggregate statistics
5. Transparently monitor and report own climate impacts
6. Map and share examples of best practices across Europe
7. Make climate literacy training available twice a year
8. Produce guidance for members with practical tips
9. Recognise no one size fits all, each company & country is different
10. Engage with suppliers to promote change across the supply chain
11. Work with digital music services to assess & reduce carbon footprint
12. Explore possible collective offsetting solutions for the sector
13. Support initiatives using music & culture to mobilise climate action
14. Inform members about EU funding for climate projects, help them apply
15. Speak out where we support specific issues and use our voice in Brussels
To see this charter in long form, click here