Warner Music Group's greenhouse-gas reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative 18 Sep 2024
WMG has established ambitious targets to reduce its GHG emissions across all scopes, committing to:
- Reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 54.6% by FY2033 from a FY2023 base year
- Reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution and business travel 32.5% within the same timeframe
“The SBTi’s validation of our targets underscores WMG’s commitment to leading the way in climate action,” said Olga LaBelle, Vice President, ESG, WMG. “WMG is making meaningful strides toward reducing our carbon footprint as part of our broader strategy to inspire artists and songwriters, fans, and the broader music industry to take action on climate change.”
The SBTi enables companies worldwide to actively contribute to combating the climate crisis by leveraging rigorous climate science and data. Science Based Targets are GHG emission reduction goals aligned with the Paris Agreement, which seeks to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.
WMG’s primary source of scope 1 and 2 emissions stem from on-site combustion, cooling, heating, natural gas, and purchased electricity. These emissions represent less than 5% of the company’s total annual emissions. The majority of WMG’s emissions fall under scope 3, with the most material categories consisting of purchased goods and services, capital goods, upstream transportation and distribution, and downstream transportation.
WMG pledged to set their targets in 2021 as a signatory to the Music Industry Climate Pact. To build the baseline GHG footprint, WMG collected primary data from WMG's global facilities in 46 countries. Additionally, WMG worked with partners to gather and analyze data across the entire value chain, including production and distribution, as well as employee travel and suppliers.
This validation reinforces WMG’s dedication to integrating environmentally responsible practices throughout their business and their supply chain. Earlier this year, WMG committed to sourcing 100% renewable energy across its global operations by 2030. To support its ambitious climate goals, WMG spearheaded the development of the industry's first 140g Vinyl Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a critical tool for understanding and reducing the environmental impact of vinyl records throughout their production journey. Further solidifying its commitment to sustainable innovation, the company unveiled the EcoRecord, a groundbreaking LP crafted from recyclable PET, the world's most commonly recycled plastic.
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THE HEADLINES
The 'metamorphosis' of Atlantic Records (see Features)
Looking ahead to 2026 (see Opinion)
Boost for artists in AI copyright battle as only 3% back UK active opt-out plan (see News)
Music discovery: More channels, more problems (see Reports)
The 10 biggest AI music stories of 2025 (see Features)
Do pop stars write their own hits—and if not, who does? (see Analysis)
TikTok unveils its Year in Music Report (see Digital)
Coldplay, U2, Ed Sheeran named most popular touring artists of the millennium (see News)
King Gizzard, having pulled music from Spotify in protest, find genAI clones on the platform (see Digital)
UK parliamentarians join call to regulate most powerful AI systems (see News)
Martin Mills is trying to thwart a record industry takeover by Universal (see Features)
IMPF says members should reject AI deals that do not value songs properly (see News)
Which songs do we replay the most? (see Analysis)
Spotify Wrapped 2025 goes live (see Digital)
