We spoke to music producer legend, Saul Galpern, about how after his 40 years in the industry, how music is moving towards sustainability and eco-friendly, across production, digital upgrades, events and more.
About Saul Galpern
Saul Galpern is the legendary founder of Nude Records, who’s list of impressive clients includes Suede, The Jennifers, Geneva, Lowgold and more.
Follow his socials here: Saul Galpern Twitter and Saul Galpern Linkedin
Saul Galpern: The music industry in the UK is becoming more focused on sustainability. From how music is made to how it is shared and performed, artists, labels, and event organisers are working to reduce their environmental impact. This shift is driven by growing awareness of climate change and pressure from fans who want greener practices.
Greener Music Production
Saul Galpern: Music production once relied heavily on energy-intensive studios, physical materials like CDs and vinyl, and large amounts of travel. Today, many UK studios are switching to renewable energy sources and more efficient equipment. For example, some recording studios in London and Manchester now run on 100% renewable electricity. The use of digital workstations and online collaboration tools also means that artists no longer have to travel as much for recording sessions.
Manufacturing physical albums is another area being improved. Vinyl production, long criticised for using PVC, is seeing innovations such as recycled vinyl and bio-based alternatives. A recent study found that producing vinyl records in the UK contributes over 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, but switching to eco-friendly materials could cut this by more than half. Labels are also choosing recycled packaging and avoiding unnecessary plastic wrapping.
The Impact of Digitalisation On Music’s Eco Footprint
Saul Galpern: The move to digital music has changed the industry completely. Streaming services now dominate how people listen, and while digital files remove the need for physical production, they still have an environmental cost. Data centres that store and stream music use large amounts of electricity. However, the UK’s leading tech companies and streaming platforms are investing in renewable power and carbon offset programmes to reduce their impact.
Digital distribution has also made it easier for independent artists to reach audiences without printing, shipping, or touring as much. The environmental benefits of this shift are significant. According to one UK report, streaming music produces about 40% less carbon per listener than producing and transporting CDs did two decades ago.
How Live Events Are Made To Be Sustainable
Saul Galpern: Live music has traditionally been one of the biggest sources of emissions in the industry, from lighting and sound to audience travel and waste. In recent years, UK festivals and venues have made major progress. Glastonbury, for example, has banned single-use plastics and introduced large-scale recycling and composting systems. Many festivals now power their stages with solar panels or biofuel generators, cutting down on diesel use.
Artists are also getting involved by making their tours greener. They work with sustainability teams to plan routes that reduce travel emissions and use trains instead of planes when possible. Venues across the UK are improving too, with places like the O2 Arena and the SSE Hydro adopting energy-efficient lighting, better waste management, and refillable water stations.
Looking Ahead
Saul Galpern: The music industry still has challenges to overcome, especially in balancing growth with environmental responsibility. But the progress being made across production, digital distribution, and live events shows a real commitment to sustainability. With continued innovation and public support, the UK’s music scene is becoming a model for how creativity and environmental care can work together.
