Coldplay to use fans’ kinetic energy to cut CO2 emissions on world tour

British rock band Coldplay has pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% on their upcoming world tour, compared with the previous one. The measures to mitigate Coldplay’s carbon footprint during the 2022 tour will include the use of solar energy, biofuel, a mobile rechargeable battery, renewable grid electricity, as well as a “kinetic floor” to convert fans movements into energy. The band’s new album, Music of the Spheres, was released today.

Coldplay said on their website that a kinetic floor would be installed in and around the stadium so that fans’ jumping up and down during the performance can be converted into energy and help power the show. There will also be electricity-generating bicycles so that fans can choose to charge the show battery actively.

Coldplay’s mobile, rechargeable show battery was developed in partnership with BMW

The mobile battery, developed in partnership with BMW, can also be charged from multiple sources, including recycled cooking oil from restaurants, solar energy, and grid renewables.

Wherever possible, Coldplay will use grid power from 100% renewable sources. At the same time, it will also install solar tiles in and around the stadium and on the stage, ahead of the performance to charge the mobile battery.

The band will also use sustainable biofuel, namely hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), for generators and in buses and trucks. Biofuel and electric vehicles will be used for ground transportation wherever possible, Coldplay said.

The tour has been planned to minimize air travel, but the band still expects backlash over the use of private jets

The tour has been carefully routed to minimize air travel, but there will still be some flying during the tour, including on charter flights. The band expects some backlash for flying on private jets even though they intend to pay a surcharge for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Another British band, Massive Attack, has recently laid out a roadmap for touring with the least possible carbon footprint, produced with the Tyndall Centre. Among other initiatives, the roadmap advocates using clean battery technology for festivals and the production of music bands’ renewable energy.