Impala urges shared climate action and fair access to transition pathways ahead of COP30

07 November 2025 - Press release

Ahead of next week’s COP30 in Brazil, IMPALA calls on the independent music sector and governments alike to prioritise collective climate action, embed culture into climate policy, and ensure a level playing field in the transition to a low-carbon future.
 
With official climate targets under pressure, taking action becomes even more important. The creative and cultural sectors must continue to lead by example, and governments must support them with fair, consistent frameworks that enable transformation rather than stall it.
 
Independent labels, artists, and small businesses are already demonstrating leadership by embedding sustainability in their operations, by, e.g. having funded the initial build of IMPALA’s Carbon Calculator. Yet as access to affordable renewable energy becomes increasingly competitive, Europe has the opportunity to secure transformation by supporting creative sectors who are already taking action, in particular smaller businesses such as IMPALA members. Ensuring equitable access to green infrastructure and finance is essential, both to maintain cultural diversity and to secure a fair, competitive environment where every creative business can thrive.

The Carbon Calculator, developed with Julie’s Bicycle and supported by Merlin,Murmur and the EU, remains a core tool for members to measure and manage their emissions. IMPALA members can freely access the Calculator and start measuring immediately. All members who finalise their report during November will have their data included in the next membership report, out in January 2026.

Members are also invited to take part in IMPALA’s peer meeting next week, where they can exchange and learn from peers on the same journey. Registrations are open here.
Measurement is the first step, and should lead to further action, including education, reporting, reduction, reinvestment and joint action, which has been demonstrated under the umbrella of the Music Climate Pact.

IMPALA also supports Julie’s Bicycle facilitated “We Make Tomorrow” initiative, a call to governments and policymakers urging them to put culture at the centre of climate solutions. The campaign’s goal is to gather 10,000+ signatures from across the cultural and creative sectors, to present at COP30 in Belém, Brazil as part of the COP30 Presidency’s Global Mutirão. Find out more and support the initiativehere.
 
Alongside receiving support for its climate initiatives through the Creative Network Grant, IMPALA also welcomes the upcoming strand of the Music Moves Europe programme as a key opportunity to align cultural support with sustainability goals. This new phase can be a turning point to empower creative businesses to innovate, collaborate and lead Europe’s cultural transition towards a resilient future.
 
Helen Smith, IMPALA’s Executive Chair commented: “As access to renewable energy grows more competitive, cultural and creative actors are an essential part of securing sector wide solutions and must be supported in Europe’s climate future.”