With this year’s EU Green Week focus on “Circular Solutions for a Competitive EU,” IMPALA – the European association of independent music companies – is calling on policymakers to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the cultural and creative sectors have equitable access to clean energy and climate transition tools.
 
Independent music companies are at the forefront of sustainable innovation, and IMPALA has already built the first label-specific carbon calculator which is free of charge to members, thanks to the initial support from members who helped get the tool off the ground, as well as Merlin through the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund and Murmur. With the right support, independent music companies can help drive systemic change across the sector. Cultural and creative SMEs must be empowered to thrive in the environmental sustainability transition, without being left behind by policies that fail to take their specific needs into account.
 
Helen Smith, Executive chair, IMPALA commented: "The music sector is home to some of Europe’s most innovative and agile SMEs. Ensuring they have access to clean energy and sustainability tools isn’t just good environmental policy, it’s essential for EU competitiveness and cultural resilience."
 
As outlined in IMPALA’s Business Case for Sustainability, independent labels that engage in sustainability initiatives increase their appeal to artists, fans, and employees, reduce operational costs, foster innovation, and are better prepared for compliance and reporting obligations. Clean energy access is essential for these companies to remain competitive, agile, and aligned with the EU’s climate objectives. 
 
In 2025, with support from the EU’s Network Grant, IMPALA is proud to launch Climate Clinics, a programme offering climate literacy training tailored to European independent companies across 12 countries over four years. Developed in partnership with sustainability experts Julie’s Bicycle, these clinics will equip members with the knowledge and tools to assess and reduce their environmental impact, including through IMPALA’s free Carbon Calculator.
 
Complementing the clinics, a free webinar open to all members will be held on June 10, focusing on high-impact, cost-effective actions for music companies just beginning their climate journey. With special attention to the environmental footprint of business travel, the session will provide actionable advice from Julie’s Bicycle and highlight how labels can track and amplify the positive results of their efforts. Register here.
 
IMPALA also highlights the importance of recognising and supporting best-practice initiatives in the sector:
 
ReDisco, led by IMPALA member FELIN, is the first dedicated record recycling programme for labels and distributors. In just three collection rounds, over one million vinyl and CD records from 60 organisations have been repurposed. Plastic materials are redirected to other industries (automotive, construction, furniture – and eventually back into records), and paper is processed through a specialised recycling system. The next collection cycle is now open, more info here.
 
Céline Lepage, Executive Director of FÉLIN added: “Independent players have always been at the forefront when it comes to driving change. ReDisco is proof of that, with a programme now open to the entire recorded music sector.”
 
Music Declares Emergency (MDE) continues to mobilise the music community to call for climate action. Supported by IMPALA since 2019 when they were awarded our Outstanding Contribution Award, MDE has cultivated a broad coalition of over 4,000 artists, major industry players, and cultural figures. Through our Organisation With a Cause scheme – co-funded by the EU in 2025 – IMPALA is proud to continue backing the mission of one of their branches, Music Declares Emergency Denmark, to put climate front and centre in cultural discourse. In the coming year, Music Declares Emergency Denmark will focus on strengthening their collaboration with Danish artists and musicians, continuing to raise awareness of the urgent need for climate action, and growing their community to make an even greater impact together.
 
Malene Tofte, CEO of Music Declares Emergency Denmark: “Thank you, IMPALA, for this meaningful award. We’re deeply grateful for the recognition of Music Declares Emergency Denmark’s work. It highlights not just our efforts, but the urgent need for climate action in the music industry. Because there is no music on a dead planet.”
 
IMPALA also endorses the establishment of sector-wide action and co-operation, such as through the Music Climate Pact, which unites independents, majors, and other stakeholders around common environmental objectives. Collective alignment is essential to ensure that the sector can meaningfully reduce its environmental footprint and reinforce Europe's leadership in sustainable cultural production.
 
Roxy Erickson, Music Climate Pact Project Manager added: “We know that the future of the music industry, socially and economically, depends on us collaborating to ensure that each company, independently and uniquely, can do business by having access to a healthy supply chain, fans who trust us, partners who want music to thrive, and artists who can continue to create magic and beauty. As technology evolves, we have choices to make which either strengthen or weaken the industry. The Music Climate Pact chooses to work together towards a bountiful future for all our stakeholders and understands this means ensuring that we do no harm to the ecosystems that support our lives and artistry.”
 
Disclaimer
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of IMPALA only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Creative Europe. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.