Sustainable Classical

The classical music sector is ready to go green – but outdated systems, high-carbon touring, and lack of support are holding it back.

Published in May 2025, Sustainable Classical reveals artists and promoters want to lead on climate, but face major barriers and call for sector-wide collaboration.

The international survey has revealed that classical music professionals – from world-leading artists to touring companies and concert halls – are deeply concerned about the climate emergency and feel a strong responsibility to act. Yet despite personal commitment, many say they’re hitting systemic barriers when it comes to reducing the sector’s environmental impact.

Sustainable Classical was commissioned by Askonas Holt and conducted by Indigo. It gathered the views of nearly 200 respondents – including soloists, conductors, promoters and orchestras – to uncover where the sector stands on sustainability, and where change is most needed.

The report builds on Act Green, Indigo’s three-year study of cultural audience attitudes to the climate emergency – which found that classical music audiences expect arts organisations to show leadership in tackling climate change.

Key findings:

• Sector-wide concern: Respondents were more worried about climate change than both audiences and the general public – and far more likely to have made changes in their personal lives.
• A desire to lead: Most agreed that classical music has a moral and cultural responsibility to influence wider society on the climate crisis.
• Frustration at slow progress: Despite goodwill, many professionals say they’re struggling to align values with professional reality – particularly due to the carbon intensity of international touring.
• Touring under scrutiny: Travel – by artists, audiences, and cargo – is viewed as the biggest challenge facing the sector in the next 5–10 years.
• Artistic choices still lagging behind: While progress is being made on venue operations and logistics, few are embedding sustainability into programming decisions.
• Call for collective action: The sector sees huge untapped potential for collaboration – from regional touring networks to shared programming, green policies, and coordinated lobbying.

Katy Raines, Indigo Founder and CEO, commented: “What’s striking is the level of commitment from individuals – but also the frustration. Artists and promoters want to make climate-friendly choices, but current systems make that incredibly hard. This isn’t about apathy – it’s about infrastructure, funding models and leadership.”

“We hope this research is a wake-up call,” said Sorcha Coller, Associate Director at Askonas Holt. “The talent and the appetite are there. What’s needed now is collective effort, new ways of working, and brave decisions from those with influence.”

The report also found that:

• Artists are least likely to consider sustainability when choosing who to work with – suggesting more visibility and shared standards are needed across the sector.
• European organisations are further ahead than those in North America in embedding sustainable practice.
• Promoters and touring partners are experimenting with local residencies, green transport options, sustainable venue upgrades, and digital alternatives to printed materials.
• Many respondents asked for help from leaders like Askonas Holt in influencing greener behaviour – through contract clauses, artist education, tour planning, and joint lobbying.
• Financial barriers remain a major obstacle – with respondents calling for funding schemes, shared infrastructure, and audience incentives to drive behaviour change.