Music Declares Emergency meet European Commission Vice President Timmermans in Brussels

04 February 2020 - Press release

On Friday, Music Declares Emergency and IMPALA met with Frans Timmermans, the European Commission's executive vice president in charge of the EU's fight against climate change. 
 
Music Declares Emergency, the recipient of IMPALA's 2019 Outstanding Contribution Award, is an initiative by over 3,000 artists, music industry professionals and organisations who have come together to declare a climate and ecological emergency and who call for an immediate governmental response to protect all life on Earth.
 
At the meeting, Music Declares Emergency was represented by Fay Milton (from the band Savages), Edwin Congreave (from the band Foals), Peter Quicke (Co-CEO of independent label Ninja Tune) and Alison Tickell (CEO of Julie's Bicycle, a non-profit helping to mobilise creative action on climate change).

Alison Tickell commented: "The music industry and musicians are key forces in the fight against the climate emergency. They can help drive the ambition of the European Green Deal, amplifying the message and demonstrating their commitment through real, quantifiable changes in business practices to act as a beacon to other sectors."
 
Fay Milton commented: "The EU's Green Deal is very promising and we found a shared understanding that music can play an important role in supporting positive change. We can help Commissioner Timmermans accelerate his plan. Music Declares Emergency's aim is to secure net zero emissions by 2030."
 
Helen Smith concluded: "The time is now if we want to limit climate change and avoid irreversible damage to our planet. Music Declares Emergency has a crucial role to play in helping speed up awareness and action."