Your Guide To Music and The SDGs

Your Guide
to Music
and
the SDGs
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© Center for Music Ecosystems
www.centerformusicecosystems.com
No reproduction or copying of this work is
permitted without written consent of the authors.
Your Guide
to Music
and
the SDGs
Cover Image: © Adobe Stock/JinnaritT

Design: www.aliceclarke.com Center for Music Ecosystems supports the Sustainable Development Goals
1
Dear Music Lover, This guide is our attempt to offer I want to thank my co-authors
a different language of value and partners in this pursuit - to tie
Thank you for downloading
and ask you to look at music music to all the Global Goals in an
and reading the inaugural differently. It is not just a song, honest way and propose solutions
report from the new but a way to improve people's and actions to take forward. This
global NGO, the Center lives. And when incorporated into includes many UN agencies and
for Music Ecosystems. the globally codified language private sector organisations,
Through my work at Sound of sustainability, the Global many of whom are thanked at
Diplomacy over the past Goals, it is immensely powerful. the end of the report. And to all
8+ years, I've seen that We see this day in day out at of you, thanks for reading. This is
while the appreciation of Sound Diplomacy. Music is worth the beginning of the Center for
so much more to all of us. Music Ecosystems. Join us. As The
music has accelerated,
Beatles continue to remind us,
the recognition of it in This is the objective of the Center
it's getting better all the time.
global policy has not. for Music Ecosystems. It will
commission and deliver research
Music is part of all of us, part to expand the value of music in
of our humanity. We've seen global policy frameworks. This is
that in how we've used it to get increasingly important as we look
through the COVID-19 pandemic. to recover from a devastating
It has been a consoler, a friend, pandemic, where poverty and
companionship. And with that, the Kindest Regards,
hunger are rife and the climate
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Piotr Piatrouski amount of music being listened to Shain Shapiro PhD
emergency is increasing. And
around the world has increased. in this international year of the Founder & Executive Director,
But in most places, it was not creative economy, now is the time Center for Music Ecosystems
the songwriters and artists who
Welcome
to be deliberate and intentional Founder & Group CEO,
benefitted from this increase. about music – because it can
More music being listened to Sound Diplomacy
make all lives better, everywhere.
did not translate to more music
rooms in schools, more music
incorporated into healthcare
Photo: © UN Costa Rica

strategies, or more music industry
investment by governments,
who in tune are spending our
money. In fact, musicians have
Shain Shapiro PhD, Founder & Executive Director, Center for faced increasing hardship. Many
Music Ecosystems and Founder & Group CEO, Sound Diplomacy have left the profession.
2 3
Foreword
We must #TurnItAround The Music industry is It is with great conviction that
for people and planet already making a difference the UN SDG Action Campaign
collaborates with the music
Marina Ponti, Director of United Nations and the SDGs are our Long before COVID, the music
industry and welcomes this Guide
framework for action
SDG Global Action Campaign industry began incorporating the
to bring together the Music
The COVID‑19 pandemic has SDGs into its business models
industry, culture, and arts – one
affected the lives of people by addressing its environmental
of the worst‑hit by the pandemic
everywhere and forced us to look footprint; striving to address its
– in a more sustainable, just,
at the world with different eyes. own systemic gender inequalities
and equal recovery by providing
We have had to truly reinvent and connecting its huge platforms
good examples that can be
the way we work, interact with for a more just and equal society.
scaled and built upon moving
each other and adjust to the Examples range from the
forward, a guiding light for others
major shifts the world is facing. first‑ever gender equal line‑up to
to follow. This Guide is the
Yet despite the hardships, even zero‑waste and more accessible
first step to developing a SDG
when faced with lockdowns events, to zero‑tolerance
music network to bring together
and grief, the world came against discrimination. Artists
like‑minded individuals and
together to support each other donated their platforms and
organisations to unite and upscale
and celebrate their common encouraged their fans to adopt
their efforts to make music and
experiences through song. This is more sustainable lifestyles, to act
culture a driver of the Goals.
the power of music, it can raise against racism and inequalities,
our spirits, heal us, and create a and to support solidarity We must make this year a turning
sense of collective belonging. measures. The Music industry can point for people and the planet in
create an enabling environment all aspects of our lives, and work
With every challenge comes for people that provoke debates, towards an inclusive, just, and
opportunity. The world is educate, and drive ideas and equal world for all. Together we
learning from these lessons, actions to raise awareness can – and will – turn it around.
and via global solidarity and of individual responsibility
partnerships we go back to work aligned with the Goals.
to turn things around for people
and the planet, calling for a An open‑source guide
transformative societal shift. The for a more sustainable
Sustainable Development Goals music industry
embody this transformation. Marina Ponti,
The music industry, much like Director of United Nations
And to achieve them, every
the UN SDG Action Campaign’s SDG Global Action Campaign
one of us has a part to play.
mandate – can inspire, connect
and mobilize people all over
the world. It is a natural ally to
accelerate the SDGs, and with
Photo: © UNICEF/NIGB2010-0199/Pirozzi this Guide, provide an entry
point to fully align with the SDG
framework of transformation.
4 5
The last years have seen many the IMC and EMC are embedded The IMC and EMC are happy
initiatives and good practices in the IMC’s 5 Music Rights that to collaborate and to share
highlighting the nexus between support the achievement of many experience and ideas on future
the SDGs and the cultural SDGs as we strive to ensure the endeavours. There is a need for
sector in Europe such as the right for all children and adults creating new narratives on how
Voices of Culture, a dialogue to express themselves musically culture and here in particular how
with the European Commission, in all freedom, to learn musical music, with its three dimensions
on “Culture and the SDGs: languages and skills and to have – artistic, social and economic
Challenges and Opportunities” access to musical involvement – can help UN Member States
in which the EMC with 44 other through participation, listening, strive for a better and more
cultural organisations participated creation, and information. In sustainable world by 2030.
and produced a report with addition, the right for all musical
policy recommendations and artists to develop their artistry
best practice examples on how and communicate through all
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Marco Lissoni
culture can support the SDGs media, with proper facilities at
along with why culture should their disposal and to obtain just
be a stand‑alone SDG post and fair recognition for their work.
Silja Fischer, Simone Dudt and Ruth Jakobi, 2030. IMC and EMC joined These values are reflected Silja Fischer,
forces with seven other cultural Secretary General of the
European Music Council and International Music Council networks to implement SHIFT,
throughout this guide which
International Music Council
demonstrates the importance
a project on how to achieve of the IMC 5 Music Rights and
three of the 17 SDGs through how the SDGs can reinforce and
cultural leadership, co‑funded support the work of the music
The 17 Sustainable Music Council (EMC) by the Erasmus+ programme sector. The IMC and EMC highly
Development Goals (SDGs) have been advocating of the European Union. welcome the initiative of the
were adopted in 2015 as a for the recognition of These initiatives complement Center for Music Ecosystems to
Simone Dudt,
common goal and vision to culture as the 4th pillar of each other and take a different connect each of the SDGs to the
Secretary General of the
“end poverty, protect the development together with angle on how the cultural world of music and thereby bring
European Music Council
planet and improve the lives other cultural organisations sector can contribute to the together like‑minded networks
and prospects of everyone, and networks, it is of sustainable agenda and this is to unite and upscale their efforts
also reflected in this SDG guide. to make music and culture an
everywhere” to be achieved utmost importance to
essential part and a stand‑alone
by all UN Member States stress the role of the The International Music Council
goal of the SDGs in the future.
by 2030. Although arts cultural (and music) sector was founded upon request of
and culture have not been as a driver and enabler for UNESCO in 1949 and as such
attributed a specific goal, achieving the SDGs. has its origins in the belief that
music can be a driver for peace Ruth Jakobi,
it is clear that the cultural Your Guide to Music Secretary General of the
and social cohesion. Together
and music sector have a and the SDGs is a great with its regional groups, among European Music Council
key role in achieving more initiative from the music which the EMC represents
sustainable societies. While industry to show how music Europe, it gives equal value and
the International Music stakeholders can support respect to all musical cultures
Council (IMC) and European a more sustainable world. of the world. The core values of
6 7
Executive Summary
2020 demonstrated how

powerful music is to the
human psyche, spirit
and condition. In April, it Photo: © Adobe Stock/David Tran
was violinists and choral

singers entertaining But music, both as a vocation and
as an economy, is misunderstood.
framework or driver of equality
is that there is no global policy
music to improve people and
the planet. It is meant to be
Music education, despite having language that recognises, explains comprehensive, but not didactic.
their neighbours on widespread social, cultural and
pedagogical benefits, is not
and demonstrates the role of
music as an ecosystem that
These examples are some of the
story, but not all of it. Music is
Italian balconies. widespread or written into every

national curriculum framework.
intertwines all of us, no matter
where we are. There are few
too fluid, too universal to capture
in one report. But let’s start here.
In some countries, there is no demonstrable links between music If we incorporate music into
regulatory framework to protect, and human development in how each SDG and better recognise
It shone through both online and offline, monetise and track intellectual policies are implemented, despite and develop policies about how
from virtual concerts in Fortnite to property, so those who pursue both scientific and anecdotal music can meet the Global Goals,
successful charity appeals to help struggling music professionally can be paid evidence demonstrating music’s we will all be better off. As we
for their work. Musicians are the power. Anything that can invest in our future, let’s take
artists and music venues in the UK and first gig economy workers – this unite millions of us, no matter greater advantage of something
Europe. Music is something we all share. is where the word came from – what we look like or what we that has proven to unify, provide
a need and bring us together.
We are all born with an instrument – our and around the world, pursuing believe in should be harnessed
a career in music, or another in all situations – from urban
voices, our hands. We can all feel music. performing art, is not taken as settlement design to fighting
This report is the inaugural
publication of the Center for
It is transversal, universal, in all of us. seriously as other subjects, such for equality, protecting our
Music Ecosystems, a new global
as science or engineering. But planet or driving purpose‑based
NGO dedicated to research
what if music disappeared? The corporate decision making.
and education to demonstrate
world went silent. No concerts. how investing in music improves
This guide – linking each of the
No YouTube. No Spotify. communities all over the world.
UN’s Sustainable Development
Maybe if that happened, music
Goals (herein referred to as
would be deemed essential.
the Global Goals) to music and
The reason that music often providing actionable examples of
struggles to be provided the music’s power in delivering the
investment, policy framework and Global Goals, is an introduction to
attention that it deserves as a the power of music ecosystems,
development tool, educational as told through the ability of
8 9
Chapter 1
The Role
of Music in
realising the
Sustainable
Development
Goals
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Bernard Bodo
10 11
Music makes lives better.
It creates jobs. It improves
literacy. It heals divisions.
It brings people together.
It is our global language. It leads politicians into
We all speak music. It rallies and town halls.
is also one of the most It soundtracks metro
consumed forms of culture stations, research stations
and art in the world. It is and radio stations. Nearly
ubiquitous, so much so 40,000 songs are added
we often do not realise to Spotify each day.1 As
we’re listening to it when a business it grew by 9%
it is on. Music influences last year, including double
our mood. It amps us up digit growth in India, China
when we’re cheering for and across Africa. It is
our favourite sports team. still set to double as an
industry by 2025, even
factoring in the impact
Introduction
of the pandemic.2 It is
everywhere. It is everyone.
Music is in and about all
of us. It is transversal.
12 Introduction Introduction 13
B
ut the value that Because music produces a being everywhere – at receptions, and Local Governments’ Culture
music brings different meaning for all of us, soundtracking meetings and and the Global Goals, is one
to humanity we unintentionally ignore its promotional videos – its impact example and is an influence – and
economically, socially benefits and lack the capacity is absent. Having a band perform a guide – of this report. But again,
to deliberately and intentionally at a reception is admirable, this is an example of a singular
and culturally is
utilise its powers and impact. so long as they are paid. But initiative, however noble, trying
misunderstood. Many
so often, these receptions to solve a systemic problem.
countries lack effective There is no intergovernmental
are held in countries that lack
intellectual property understanding of the complete, There is a role for music to play
music education frameworks.
registrars, so local holistic, transformative power of in each of the Global Goals.
This is because how music is
music. There is no music policy From the global commercial
creators, musicians, defined and as a result, utilised
at the United Nations, World industry inspiring people across
producers and engineers Bank, IMF or other institutions.
as a tool to make the world
cultures, creating influential stars
who write, perform and There is recognition, for example
better, has not been outlined.
and bringing people together
produce cannot be paid through UN’s International That stops now. physically and virtually, to the
for their property like Year of the Creative Economy simple act of learning to play an
other rights holders. The or UNESCO’s robust Cities of A turning point for instrument at a young age, to
value of a piece of music Music program, but these are the Global Goals. deploying the restorative power
differs wildly, depending single examples, not a holistic, This report aims to bring together of music to support healthy
on where you are, who overarching policy framework. The the universal language of music aging, to ensuring building
you are, where you’re role of music – as an industrial with the universal language of codes are robust so people can
mechanism, as a vocation, as a sustainability and development, live in thriving entertainment
listening and how you’re
rehabilitative tool, as a poverty the United Nations Sustainable districts and still be able to get
listening. Music can be
eradicator, as an equaliser and Development Goals, or Global a good night sleep, music can
unifying or divisive. It can a women’s empowerment tool – help meet the Global Goals.
Goals (as this document will refer
lead politicians into power, remains undefined. The personal to them as). With 191 countries But we need these languages
or land them in jail. It can connection of music – I like my ratifying the Global Goals, a – music and sustainable
restore rights, or restrict music over your music – tends code and framework to guide development – to communicate.
them. It is an incredibly to dominate decisions made to sustainable development has Everyone can use music
powerful tool to lead, include music in policy, leading grown to influence development
to ephemeral initiatives to solve to improve the world. If
influence and empower, arrangements and contractual
endemic, permanent problems. obligations of donors and
music is a part of your life
if in the right hands.
grantees. Yes, culture is seen as now, it is improving your
One large concert to end poverty
transversal – a part of all Global world. Simple changes and
is admirable, but without the
appropriate education, rights, Goals and as a result, there have a wider understanding of Photo: © Adobe Stock/Gennadiy Poznyakov
infrastructure and other policies been guides produced to better music as an ecosystem
to support it, music will not understand the role culture can will create global change.
provide the power it can to play in meeting the largest, most
support eradicating poverty. In transformative, most urgent
global development, despite music issues of our time. United Cities
What are the Global Goals? Why Music?
I M
n 2015, world usic has the experiences on our high streets raise money for LandAid.10 It is
leaders agreed power to lift to make them more welcoming7 an opportunity to create skills,
to 17 Sustainable people out of or inserted into iconic locations revenue and self worth in a South
Development Goals, also poverty, drive creativity, to enliven public squares and African township,11 or business
avenues around the world.8 Music management skills in Cambodia.12
known as Global Goals, for create jobs and bolster
soundtracks squares from Nairobi
a better world by 2030. education. The music In order to better utilise music’s
to Abu Dhabi, Buenos Aires to
The Global Goals have the industry is in a period value around the world, we
Vancouver. This has not changed,
power to end poverty, fight of significant growth. must link its impact specifically
despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
inequality and address the to each of the Global Goals.
Despite the pandemic, global Music is our universal language. This is what the next section
urgency of climate change. consultant PwC says that after We all speak it, wherever we of this report attempts to do,
Guided by the Goals, it the global live music business are and whatever we look like. providing specific, actionable
is now up to all of us, shed $18 billion USD in value In Fargo, North Dakota, it is strategies and accompanying
governments, businesses, in 2020, a reduction of 64%, a tool for police officers to case studies to how music can
civil society and the recovery will be quick. The global promote community unity.9 For help us meet the Global Goals,
general public to work consultant’s outlook analysis for a group of planning consultants if we brought it to the party.
together to build a better 2020-2024 forecasts live music in London, it is an opportunity to
worldwide revenues growing
future for everyone.3
by 82.6%, to over $19 billion, as
The Global Goals are made
concerts resume.4 Goldman Sachs
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Anton Gvozdikov

up of 17 commitments predicts 26% rise in 2021 and
and 169 targets. an 18% increase in 2022, with
compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) at 6% from 2019 to 2030.
Despite the challenges of a year
where music venues were the first
to close and will be last to reopen,
consumption increased 8.2%.5
For example, in 2016, streaming
revenue grew by 334.2% in
South Africa.6 Music’s ubiquity
is fuelling its growth. Streaming
has made accessing music
legally easy and, as a result,
music creators, performers and
copyright holders are benefitting.
At the same time, music is
being used to create new retail
Working With Existing Notes for The Reader
and Supportive Policies
T
his report is meant UNESCO Creative This work aligns with In the report and the This report acknowledges This report is meant to
to complement, Cities Network14 the International Music accompanying 17 Global the opportunities that be collaborative and
not contradict, Many of the examples in the Council's excellent 5 Goals, this report refers Blockchain, NFTs, complementary. All initiatives
existing frameworks that report are taken from initiatives Music Rights campaign to the music ecosystem music rights and the supporting the SDGs through
have been implemented at spearheaded by UNESCO This is a baseline of how – this, as demonstrated in overall diversification music are worth promoting.
all levels of government Creative Cities. We believe these music should be supported in the image below, outlines all of prospective revenue Anyone using music to make
to incorporate culture in initiatives can be the norm, rather all communities, in line with elements of urban settlements opportunities for creators their world better deserves
than the exception and recognise recognising and investing in that music touches – industry, to be heard. This is about
planning, practice and that are emerging – and
the influence this network has music ecosystems. The 5 music education, housing, quality of bringing all of us together
governance. This includes: becoming more available – under a global framework, a
provided for this report. rights are: The right for all life, tourism, supply chains.
UNESCO’s 2005 Convention to musicians and creators better language. We are better
United Cities and Local children and adults to express
on the Diversity of Culture around the world. But without together. Remember that.
themselves musically in all
Governments – Agenda 21 structural government policy
and Expressions13 freedom; to learn music languages This report is far from
for Culture Committee15 that recognises the value of
Incorporating music more into and skills; and to have access comprehensive. We know
UCLG’s document on “Culture music first, these opportunities
the Global Goals supports the to musical involvement through that we haven’t mentioned
in the SDGs: a Guide for Local will not be fully maximised. This
implementation of UNESCO’s participation. listening, creation every amazing initiative linking
Action is the most comprehensive guide is step 1. Recognise, plan
landmark convention and all and information. Plus, the right music to the SDGs. That report
guide that links culture explicitly for and implement policies to
associated programs and for all musical artists to develop is needed, but it is not this
with the Global Goals. This recognise music’s true value.
practices that emerged from it. their artistry and communicate one. This is for those who have
report is meant to follow on Then all the available revenue
through all media, with proper yet to realise the opportunity
from this and complement its and cultural opportunities related
facilities at their disposal; and to in front of them. Yes, you.
objectives and recommendations. to it can be better utilised.
obtain just recognition and fair
remuneration for their work.
COMMUNITY
EDUCATION ENGAGEMENT
TOURISM Music at schools Leadership SPORTS
High school education Public spaces
Music business training Community centers
Professional development Social inclusion and equity
ARTIST/CREATOR
Accessibility
HEALTH &
WELLBEING TECH
LIVE RECORDED
MUSIC
ECOSYSTEM
Photo: © UN Photo/Marco Dormino
How music impacts your city,

HOSPITALITY GOVERNANCE town and place TRANSPORT
MEDIA
Arts councils by Sound Diplomacy
PR
Grant systems
Broadcasting
City planning
Written media
Licenses and ordinances
Digital media
Economic development
Advertising
Legal affairs
Copyright
CREATIVE
INDUSTRIES NIGHTLIFE
Chapter 2
Music and
The Global The 17 Sustainable
Goals Development Goals
to transform our world
Photo: © Adobe Stock/William J. Chizek
20 21
The SDGs
A
s of 2015, about Music is a low-cost,
736 million low‑intensive sector to
people still lived work in. We are all born
on less than US$1.90 a with an instrument – our
day.16 According to the voice. If global intellectual
World Bank, the impact property structures were
of COVID-19 could fairer and more robust,
push 150 million people many musicians, producers
into extreme poverty, and engineers would earn
reversing decades of income for their work,
progress.17 Poverty is despite millions lacking
all encompassing. It this access because of
controls all aspects of industrial frameworks, not
Photo: © UN Photo/Kibae Park
one’s life. While including talent. Music is also a tool

music cannot improve to provide a safe space for
access to clean water or children after school. Music
sanitation, a thriving music lifts people up. Strategically
ecosystem can contribute including its needs across
to reducing poverty. global policy to reduce
poverty can help support
SDG #1. As outlined in a
study assessing the impact
of music and dance on
Goal #1: employment opportunities
No Poverty
in Igala, Nigeria, “the social
relevance of language,
music and dance is
profound. It is not only an
abstract art, but as a force
which affects the lives of the
people who acquire it.”18
What is the goal?

End poverty in all
forms everywhere
22 The SDGs The SDGs 23
Where Has It Worked?
EL SISTEMA in Venezuela has provided musical

training and performance opportunities to thousands
of impoverished youth since 1970. While not without
its controversies, the concept of El Sistema has been
copied around the world and has demonstrated the
power of music in lifting people out of poverty.19
MUSICIANS IN EXILE is a community project for

asylum seeking and refugee musicians formed by WHICH TARGETS
The Glasgow Barons, an orchestra from the Govan WILL WE MEET?
area of the city. Through city wide flyering in
Kurdish, Arabic, Farsi and English, and direct contact
with agencies such as the Red Cross and Govan
How Can Music Community Project, Musicians in Exile establish
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Delphine Poggianti
Reduce Poverty? relationships with asylum seeking musicians,

offering travel expenses and weekly rehearsal
space donated by Govan Housing Association.20 What Can We Do?
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
EXPANSION MUSICIANS WITHOUT BORDERS
For music to help end poverty, we
A song can support one’s pension Helps register musicians work in conflict areas,
value. If properly registered and to ensure they are remunerated fairly for their must advocate for the following:
managed, it can provide recurring work regardless of living in a country without a ROBUST INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 1.2
revenue for those involved functioning intellectual property infrastructure.21 INFRASTRUCTURE IN EVERY
for 70 years. It doesn’t matter By 2030, reduce at least
COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
where you’re from or what you by half the proportion
In too many places, music remains pirated and of men, women and
look like, music can continue
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Rafael Ben-Ari there is no policy to treat musicians as workers. children of all ages
to earn income, long after the
WIPO, working together with UNDP, UN-Habitat living in poverty in all its
song is written and released.
and others should work to safeguard the creation dimensions according
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT of IP protections in all state industrial strategies. to national definitions.
Treat intellectual property as property.
Music provides additional
after school programs for kids, GLOBALISE AFTER SCHOOL
allowing parents to work later MUSIC PROGRAMS
knowing their kids are safe. 1.4
When building new schools, ensure there’s a
EXPANDING EXPRESSION music room created. Recycle instruments so they By 2030, ensure that
can be given to those who need it most. Use all men and women,
Everyone has a story to tell,
music to fill time, minds and creative hearts. in particular the poor
and that story can often reach
and the vulnerable,
wider audiences through music. GLOBALISE FAIR PLAY
have equal rights to
From Gasolina in Puerto Rico Outlaw secondary ticketing at a profit and economic resources, as
to Moana in Hawaii, or Soul institute fair play schemes at all venues well as access to basic
in the United States music around the world, wherever they are. services, ownership and
provided a lens to introduce a
control over land and
new cultural form to the world.
other forms of property,
Prioritising music education in
inheritance, natural
all areas can lead to more of
resources, appropriate
these breakout cultural hits.
new technology and
financial services,
including microfinance.

The SDGs
F
rom Live Aid to We Are The World, music has played
a role in catalysing us to work towards ending
world hunger. While large scale global concerts and
campaigns fronted by celebrities continue to be powerful,
the music ecosystem can provide other solutions to
Goal #2: combating, and ending global hunger. For example, music
Zero Hunger
festivals can become food redistribution centres and
music venues can support urban community gardens.
Photo: © Adobe Stock/kuarmungadd
What is the goal?

End hunger, achieve food
security and improved nutrition
and promote sustainable
agriculture
How Can Music End What Can We Do?
World Hunger?
For music to help end global hunger,
we must advocate for the following:
AWARENESS
It is common for large scale BETTER PARTNERSHIPS
concerts to be staged to raise From ensuring there’s pantry distribution at concerts
awareness towards global and arenas, to better recycling surplus food at music
hunger or inequality. This has venues, any place that hosts live music can also
been ongoing for decades. support local food pantries or community groups.
But the surface has barely
been scratched. Any country TURN STADIUMS INTO GARDENS
with a football stadium can From Fenway Park in Boston to Florida’s St.
host a concert of this type. Augustine Amphitheatre, there are open large plots
of land, from back areas to rooftops, that can be
FOOD REDISTRIBUTION monetised and turned into community assets by
AT CONCERTS converting them into gardens. Most cities around
Through partnerships with the world have stadiums; whether they are in
grocers and caterers, unused food use or not, that infrastructural footprint can be
earmarked for live events – be it utilised to accommodate community gardens.
through concessions or backstage
– can be recycled into the local
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Brad
supply chain to provide meals
for those who need it. Ensuring
all concerts, large and small, Where Has It Worked?
employ a no waste policy for food Photo: © Alice Clarke
can create civic opportunities WHICH TARGETS

to feed those who need it. GLOBAL CITIZEN WILL WE MEET?
We have a long standing tradition of large concerts
being used as fundraisers to fight famine and global 2.1
hunger. Global Citizen is the largest such example at
present, hosting stadium sized concerts to combat End hunger, achieve food
hunger, inequality and violence against women.22 security and improved
nutrition and promote
ST. AUGUSTINE AMP URBAN GARDEN sustainable agriculture.
The St. Augustine Amphitheatre in Florida has 2.2
created its own urban farm, powered by the waste By 2030, end all forms
generated on the site. The fruits and vegetables of malnutrition, including
are used to cater to artists and their entourage, but achieving, by 2025, the
there’s enough additional produce that a number internationally agreed
of deliveries are made each week to both homeless targets on stunting and
shelters and schools. Children are also welcomed on wasting in children under
site to learn about putting on a concert and urban 5 years of age, and
Photo: © UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farran

gardening, improving their relationship with food. address the nutritional
This could be replicated at venues, stadiums and needs of adolescent girls,
other large, public‑facing infrastructure, to improve pregnant and lactating
community engagement and access to food. women and older persons.
STREAMING TO END FOOD POVERTY

This also works virtually. In the UK, the appeal
#LiveForLove raised over £39,000 ($46,000
USD) for food banks, raising awareness of the
nation’s chronic food poverty challenges.23
The SDGs
A
number of studies point to the positive impact
that music has on our health and wellbeing.
This has been true for thousands of years.
From a tribal dance to welcome a guest into a village
to celebrating weddings or mourning funerals, music
Goal #3: impacts how we feel towards each other, how we
Good
communicate and how we get along. But music has
far wider reaching impacts. Learning music is proven
to improve early childhood cognition. Studying music
improves one's performance in science and maths. Music
slows the onset of dementia and is an effective treatment
Health and
for the disease. Music helps millions of us exercise. Yet.
music is tangential, a passive participant to our health
and wellbeing policies. Most countries are not socially
prescribing music. It is not a mandatory topic throughout
education. There are few music programs in senior and
Wellbeing
care facilities. Few large firms have music in the workplace
policies. Active, direct and intentional music use vastly
improves our health and wellbeing. It is time to assign
specific SDG indicators to music, and work on developing
international policies to promote, mandate and utilise the
power of music. But try exercising without music. It’s hard.
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Rawpixel.com

What is the goal?
Ensure healthy lives and promote
well‑being for all at all ages
How Can Music What Can We Do?
WHICH TARGETS
Impact Good Health WILL WE MEET?
and Wellbeing? For music to help promote health and wellbeing,
we must advocate for the following:
IT CAN HELP US LIVE LONGER MUSIC AND SOCIETY POLICIES WORLDWIDE

According to a South African In the UK, the House of Lords conducted an enquiry into music in
study, “Attending a live music society, exploring the role of music on aging, education, economic
gig once a fortnight for only 20 development and urban regeneration. A briefing paper was produced
minutes increases a person's to begin to explore the holistic impact music has on society, and
well‑being by 21% and can add how it can be incorporated into other government policies. These
up to nine years to your life.”24 solutions can align with SDG #3 and be used as a template for
any government to outline, clearly, the impact music can have on
IT CAN REDUCE STRESS society, to begin to take the steps to ensuring they happen.28
3.8
According to a study by the
MUSIC PROGRAMS IN ALL SENIOR & CARE FACILITIES Achieve universal health
National Institute of Health
in the United States in 2013, Initiatives like Music in Care Homes in the UK or Singing for Seniors coverage including
“Music listening has been should be introduced across intergovernmental organisations, as financial risk protection,
suggested to beneficially impact all nations are facing an aging crisis, a care crisis and a cost crisis. access to quality essential
health via stress‑reducing Music can slow other costly degenerative issues, such as reduced health‑care services and
effects...Its findings indicate brain function, dementia or loneliness. A weekly concert, community access to safe, effective,
that music listening impacted choir and engaged music program can be rolled out anywhere, to quality and affordable
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Chekunov Alexandr
the psychobiological stress anyone, and it can significantly improve the health and wellbeing essential medicines
system. Listening to music for those of us now living in senior or other care facilities. and vaccines for all.
prior to a standardized stressor PARTNERSHIPS WITH INSURERS AND PHONE PROVIDERS
predominantly affected the
In the UK, some insurance firms are providing discounts
autonomic nervous system (in
for customers that prove they go to the gym every 3.D
terms of a faster recovery), and to
week (presumably music plays a role in that).
a lesser degree the endocrine and Strengthen the capacity of
psychological stress response.
Where Has It Worked? INCORPORATE MUSIC AND WELLBEING INTO COVID RECOVERY all countries, in particular
The evidence is there. Music can improve mental health, increase developing countries,
confidence and support interpersonal behavioural development. The for early warning,
MUSIC IN THE WORKPLACE WEEK (UK) more music programs available to everyone as lockdown eases will risk reduction and
Music At Work Week was launched in 2019 support wider community cohesion, no matter where one lives. management of national
in the UK. Its aim is (i) to increase awareness and global health risks.
regarding the health effects of music and
(ii) to encourage employers to embed it in
workplaces to enhance employee experience
and wellbeing. A number of large employers,
including Sennheiser and Gibson supported it.25
THE NEW NOTE ORCHESTRA

A collaborative orchestra organised to support
people recovering from substance abuse programs.
This led to the creation of the Addict’s Symphony,
as well as a number of other programs directly
linking music to supporting those recovering
from alcohol and drug dependency.26
ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA are teaching online

classes using breathing techniques to support long
Photo: © UNICEF/UNI317998/Choufany
COVID sufferers. Sopranos are helping sufferers.27

The SDGs
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Monkey Business
T
here are over It is not mandatory, nor
20 benefits to developed from neonatal
providing quality care through to high school.
music education, from From the UK to the USA,
the start to the end of Germany to Australia,
life. Listening to certain music education is in crisis.
types of music, including In the developing world,
classical (Beethoven is it is not formalised and
a favourite) encourages left to community groups
Goal #4: brain development from or cultural tradition. In
the second trimester.29 addition, the types of music
Quality
Music helps develop featured in education are
language and reasoning a sampling of the types of
skills, the ability to work, music available for children
collaborate and play well to learn and experiment
Education
with others and develop with. Despite hip‑hop and
the patience to solve metal being the two most
complex problems,30 which popular genres in the world,
can be translated across few countries teach them.31
other STEM subjects. Western classical music
Music also teaches is prioritised, even though
empathy, as participating merely one of thousands
in a musical exercise of genres. The cognitive
What is the goal? development benefits of
opens one up to others,
Ensure inclusive and equitable unlike other subjects. But music can create a smarter,
quality education and music remains a nice to fairer, more just world.
promote lifelong learning have across our global
education framework.
opportunities for all
WHICH TARGETS
WILL WE MEET?
BRADFORD UK
A failing school in Bradford increased their music
education provision by six hours. The school
improved its overall performance as a result.35
According to The Guardian: Seven years ago
Feversham was in special measures and making
headlines for all the wrong reasons. Today it is
rated “good” by Ofsted and is in the top 10%
nationally for pupil progress in reading, writing
and maths, according to the most recent data.”36
INCREASED PERFORMANCE IN 4.4

How Can Music MATHS AND READING
Photo: © UN Photo/Albert González Farran
By 2030, substantially
According to a University of Kansas study
Provide Quality published in 2020, a study of 1000 students
increase the number of
Education? from mixed backgrounds, ethnicities and income What Can We Do?
youth and adults who
have relevant skills,
levels in Kansas City found that including
including technical and
music education in their curriculum improved
MUSIC EDUCATION vocational skills, for
their results in maths and reading.37 For music to help ensure quality education
IMPROVES ALL EDUCATION employment, decent jobs
PXP EMBASSY & FESTIVAL (GER) for all we must advocate for the following: and entrepreneurship.
A study by the Kauffman
Foundation demonstrated those The PXP Festival, which stands for Peace by Peace MANDATE AND FUNDING FOR
engaged in music improved has grown to become Europe’s largest festival MUSIC EDUCATION GLOBALLY
their standing in science, directly linked to benefitting and supporting
A global opportunity to improve knowledge
maths and technology. Music underprivileged children through programming, 4.7
exchange, cognition and community
complements all subjects.32 advocacy and funding for children.38 By 2030, ensure that
empowerment would be to mandate and
fund the expansion of mandatory music all learners acquire the
MUSIC STRENGTHENS
education at every school, everywhere. knowledge and skills
THE BRAIN
needed to promote
If the brain is a muscle, then TEACHING WHAT PEOPLE LISTEN TO sustainable development,
learning to play an instrument The world’s most listened to genre is hip‑hop. The including, among others,
and read music is the ultimate second most listened to is metal. Both are rarely through education for
exercise, according to the incorporated into the classroom. Expanding the sustainable development
University of Southern California.33 genres available to children to learn and experiment and sustainable lifestyles,
MUSIC IMPROVES OUR
with trains the brain more vigorously, which will human rights, gender
create a wider appreciation for arts and culture, equality, promotion
MEMORY AND VERBAL
which can positively impact how we can understand, of a culture of peace
INTELLIGENCE
and empathise with, other cultures, stories and and non‑violence,
According to the Washington histories. If only Israeli and Palestinian citizens global citizenship
Post, “Musical training has shown utilised their shared musical heritage as an olive and appreciation of
to lead to improvements in a wide branch, more people would talk, rather than fight. cultural diversity and of
variety of different skills, including
culture’s contribution to
memory and spatial learning for EXPAND MUSIC EDUCATION AT SCHOOLS
sustainable development.
example. In addition, language IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
skills such as verbal memory, By recognising that teaching music and singing
literacy and verbal intelligence is not just about music, but about interpersonal
have been shown to strongly communication, literacy, maths and reading,
benefit from musical training.”34 including music in educational programs in
developing countries will support all education
targets, not just teach children how to play music.
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Monkey Business
The SDGs
M
usic is a powerful over the past three years
tool to promote were produced by women.40
gender equality. Change is in infancy and
From assembling choirs not happening fast enough,
and school bands to but the impact music can
marching bands and have holistically to promote,
community dances, to and deliver, gender equality
promoting equality in is enormous. Music, as
the commercial music a unifying artform, has
industry, music can be a immense power, The more
Goal #5: leading force in ensuring women on and off stage we
Gender
we level the gender gap. all see, the more it codifies,
The music industry is and normalises, how it
improving, but there’s should be, rather than how
much work to be done. it is. Promoting gender
Only 16% of registered equality in music promotes
Equality
songwriters are women, and equality throughout
in 2018, over 80% of festival society. It creates mutual
headliners were men or respect across genres,
male‑led bands.39 Only 2% increased opportunities
of the top 400 songs in the for women and can lead to
North American charts widespread gender equality.
What is the goal?

Achieve gender equality and
empower all women and girls Photo: © UN Photo/Betsy Davis

Photo: © UN Photo/John Isaac
How Can Music What Can We Do?

Achieve Gender
Equality? For music to help achieve available. If a university teaches
gender equality we must music production, for example,
advocate for the following: introducing a program that
ENSURING ALL GIRLS
reduces the cost or provides
ARE ENROLLED IN MONITOR GENDER BALANCE additional relief for women could
MUSIC EDUCATION ACROSS ALL MUSIC create a wider talent pool.
It promotes self worth, confidence INDUSTRY SECTORS
and equality in the classroom. STAMP OUT ALL
In some sectors of the music
This is what can reverse the HARASSMENT
industry, the amount of women
reality that women composers working alongside men needs This goes without saying. The
in major concert halls around significant improvement. Creating music industry operates both a
the USA presented on 1.3% of glass ceiling and a glass corridor.
content during the 2016-2017 Where Has It Worked? a sector wide international gender
Men must work to ensure
monitor for the music industry can
season, while only 10% of the provide more detailed information anything they are involved in
works by living composers to increase female participation engages equally across gender.
KEYCHANGE
were by women.41 Only 14.4% across the sector, and open up If all harassment doesn’t
of all living songwriters in Keychange is an international initiative, funded stop, nothing will change.
a wider array of employment
pop and commercial music through the Creative Europe Programme of the
opportunities. Further monitoring MAKE YOUR VOICE
are female and only 2.6% of European Union, to work to transform the future
should be extended to include
producers are women.42 Starting of music whilst encouraging festivals and music HEARD THROUGH YOUR
LGBTQI+, transgendered, queer,
early, for all women, can reap organisations to include at least 50% women and CONSUMER CHOICES
no binary and BIPOC communities.
rewards long into the future. under-represented genders in programming, staffing If a festival does not have a
and beyond.44 The program supports capacity PROVIDE MORE gender equal bill, don’t go. If
ENGAGING MORE WOMEN IN building for 74 participants a year and so far has EDUCATIONAL a company does not address
THE MUSIC ECOSYSTEM seen hundreds of companies sign the pledge. OPPORTUNITIES FOR negative behaviour, do not
can help reduce sexism and Large music festivals like Reeperbahn Festival and WOMEN IN MUSIC purchase from them. Often Photo: © Adobe Stock/Jacob Lund
gender bias, by featuring women Iceland Airwaves have committed to gender‑equal financial penalties are the only
There are extensive music
in the same capacity as men line‑ups, demonstrating that conscious programming penalties that work. This is
education programs around
across music performance, can create engaging, sellable festival line‑ups. especially pertinent, as according
the world. However, there is
production and education – to the UNDP, gender equal firms
SHESAID.SO little dedication to providing
on and off stage. If taken as “are seen as socially responsible,
scholarships, internships and
a deliberate, intentional aim, SheSaid.So is a global network of women in achieve greater efficiency and
apprenticeships for women to
it works. Iceland, who have the music industry. Set up by former MixCloud better personnel performance,
pursue all avenues of working
compulsory gender equality employee Andreea Magdalina, SheSaid.So has have more committed employees,
across the music industry.
roles, are one of the most grown to have 13 global chapters and thousands and improve hiring and their public
There is no single source – be
successful music exporting of members. The network hosts events, talks image. In fact, many companies
it nation by nation – offering
countries, compared to the and capacity building sessions and operates a also become more profitable.”45
a list of all opportunities
level of population. Sweden, network of female producers, sound engineers 5.A
another country that mandates and composers to increase the amount of women
working in song production. It also operates a By 2030, Undertake
all girls (and boys and gender WHICH TARGETS
Spotify playlist and hosts female‑fronted radio reforms to give women
fluid children) have access to WILL WE MEET?
shows in each of the markets it is active in. It’s a equal rights to economic
music education, are the world’s 5.5
powerful voice for women in the music industry. resources, as well as
2nd largest music exporter.43
Ensure women’s full and access to ownership and
They are only one of three
MANY MORE INITIATIVES effective participation control over land and
countries (United States and
Over the past few years, a number of initiatives and equal opportunities other forms of property,
United Kingdom) that export
have emerged around the world to ensure women for leadership at all financial services,
more music than they import.
have equal access to music opportunities. They levels of decision making inheritance and natural
include Women in Music chapters, Womxn in in political, economic resources, in accordance
CTRL in the UK, Girl Gang Music, Girls Rock and and public life. with national laws.
Book More Women. The more the merrier.

The SDGs
W
e need to look installed for festivals, such
at the impact as the Dranouter Festival
that music and in Belgium.48 In 2017,
cultural festivals can have WaterAid partnered with
on creating innovative music festivals to create a
practices to improve ‘Toilet of Dreams”, to raise
Goal #6: local infrastructure. money to provide water
Clean
This includes providing infrastructure projects at
solutions that increase Glastonbury.49 Canada’s
access to clean Waterkeeper Alliance has
water, sanitation and utilised music ambassadors
civic infrastructure to promote the need to
Water and
around the world. preserve wetlands, for
This is accomplished in example, through their
two ways – advocacy SPLASH events series.50 In
and invention. In terms this case, the music sector
Sanitation
of advocacy, a number of is not unique, but it can
music festivals have been lead by example. The water
launched that explicitly it uses can be reduced;
promote clean water sanitation solutions –
initiatives, such as the primarily at festivals
H2‑OH Festival.46 Profiled in – can lead by example
UCLG’s Culture in the SDGs: and be incorporated into
A Guide for Local Action permanent projects in
document, Reading Festival outside communities. And
in the UK uses music and creating greater awareness
other art and community and strategy around
activities to engage the advocacy, so solutions
community in water can be codified into policy,
conservation efforts.47 are as much the music
This work goes back over ecosystem’s responsibility
a decade, with wastewater as any other sector.
management systems
What is the goal?

Ensure availability and
sustainable management of
water and sanitation for all
How Can Music Where Has It Worked?
Help Provide
Clean Water? CLEAN WATER MUSIC FESTIVAL
In Ponte Vedra, Florida, the Clean Water Music
MOBILE WATER FILTRATION Festival has raised over $125,000 between 2012
UNITS CAN BE TESTED and 2015 for clean water initiatives in Northern
IN FESTIVALS Florida. The initiative has led to wells being dug
in Rwanda and Burundi and clean water provided
Or new sanitation techniques,
to dozens of villages. While the event ceased
including converting human
trading in 2016, it demonstrates an example
waste to power. A festival is
of how music can be a powerful tool to raise
a mini‑settlement, one that
awareness towards providing clean water.
requires setting up and taking
down in a week. From an JULIE’S BICYCLE
Photo: © UNICEF/Hasan
infrastructure perspective, there Julie’s Bicycle is a UK nonprofit that provides
may be similarities between music sustainability consultancy for UK and European
festivals (those in rural areas and music companies. It operates a Going Green
fields) and displacement camps; Charter and allows companies to monitor their
clean water, sewage, electricity environmental impacts. This includes using excess
and other needs must be provided water, poor recycling or waste management.
to a large number of people in as
efficient a manner as possible. A GREENER FESTIVAL
A Greener Festival is a global organisation bringing
MAJESTIC WATERWORKS What Can We Do?
BANNING PLASTIC WATER This Denver-based organization designed portable
together solutions‑oriented providers that work with
BOTTLES AT FESTIVALS water tree structures that could be temporarily
festivals to reduce all impacts, including clean water. For music to help ensure clean
By limiting single use plastic water installed for mass gatherings where people
They offer a simple guide to water sustainability
bottles at festivals and setting up can refill their water bottles to decrease waste water and sanitation for all we must
on their website, available to all festivals.52
filtration stations, music festivals created by single-use plastics. While first used advocate for the following:
can lead by example to raise VIVA CON AGUA DE ST. PAULI at music festivals through the state of Colorado
GO TO FESTIVALS AND MUSIC VENUES THAT
awareness about water wastage. An NGO from Hamburg using music, sports and and the U.S., during the covid-19 pandemic
In addition, adding on a small they were installed in collaboration with local MONITOR AND MANAGE THEIR IMPACTS
arts for drinking water projects in the 3rd world.53
levy for those who break the governments and humanitarian organizations By prioritising, promoting and attending concerts
ban can direct necessary funding to provide safe hand-washing and sanitation and festivals that monitor and manage their
to clean water and sanitation stations for people experiencing homelessness. impacts, it will encourage those that are not
projects. The largest festivals in yet engaged in the practice to do so.
the UK and Europe have done Photo: © UNICEF/UN067453/Souleiman
this, with some, including Live

Nation, trialling plant‑based
WHICH TARGETS 6.B
water bottles as an alternative.51
WILL WE MEET?
6.4 Support and strengthen
By 2030, substantially the participation of
increase water‑use local communities in
efficiency across all improving water and
sectors and ensure sanitation management.
sustainable withdrawals
and supply of freshwater
to address water scarcity
and substantially
reduce the number
of people suffering
from water scarcity.

The SDGs
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Purple Moon

L
Goal #7: ike any sector According to a joint study by
Affordable
that refines the Universities of Oslo and
natural resources Glasgow, researchers found
to produce a saleable the estimation of storing
product, the music music for the United States
industry is a substantial alone produced between
and Clean
consumer of energy. 200 and 350 million
From the global touring kilograms of greenhouse gas
market to the energy cost equivalents.54 Furthermore,
to maintain servers that the cost of refining oil to
Energy
hold all the data so we can produce vinyl is high, as it
stream any song we want, requires the production of
the music industry supply PvC. But there are solutions
chain is a significant in the music industry that
energy user. The energy could be applied to other
cost of music is high. sectors that increase energy
efficiency, reduce costs
and provide models that
can support the delivery of
What is the goal? sustainable energy for all.
Ensure access to affordable,
reliable, sustainable and modern
energy for all
Ensure Access
to Affordable, FUTURE ENERGY ARTISTS AUSTRALIA
Reliable, Sustainable A number of Australian artists, including Cloud
and Modern Cult, Midnight Oil and Vance Joy have invested
collectively in a solar farm project in Australia,
Energy For All? to help power their local communities but also
invest in new technologies to make their tours
cleaner. Their initiative is called FEAT (Future
LEADING BY EXAMPLE IN
Energy Artists). According to the project, “FEAT.
REGARDS TO EVENTS
says the 34.55‑megawatt Brigalow solar farm
As the COVID‑19 pandemic moves could power the equivalent of 11,300 homes
from triage to recovery, the desire for 30 years. (Looked at another way, it could
to return to sweaty bars, music generate more than 2,000 Cloud Control tours
venues and festivals for live music in renewable energy.) That energy is then sold
will be significant. Prioritising WHICH TARGETS
into the energy market, with a target return
renewable energy in all initiatives WILL WE MEET?
on investment for artists of 5% a year.”55
– from brick and mortar venues,
recording studios and rehearsal THE EUROPEAN INITIATIVE FOR
spaces, to prioritising renewables UPSCALING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN
at live events and festivals must THE MUSIC EVENT INDUSTRY
become the norm as we move They achieved a total of 17890 tons of Co2
into post COVID‑19 recovery. reduction, by engaging with over 2200 stakeholders
to monitor their energy consumption.56
Photo: © Adobe Stock/DWP
What Can We Do? 7.2

By 2030, increase
substantially the share
For music to help ensure access to clean of renewable energy in
energy, we must advocate for the following: the global energy mix.
SOLAR PANELS ON MUSIC VENUES CAN
PROVIDE CHEAPER POWER FOR NEIGHBOURS
Any music venue that can support solar panels
should be invited to instal them, at a discount or for
a tax incentive, with the purpose of selling excess
energy back to the grid to discount neighbours
energy costs. A network of energy producing
venues could reduce energy bills, and emissions, 7.3
of their neighbours over a period of time.
By 2030, double the global
FESTIVAL INFRASTRUCTURE rate of improvement
CAN BE INFRASTRUCTURE in energy efficiency.
Creating community events with permanent
infrastructure, such as wells, solar panels
and renewable grids can support those
living close to the sites throughout the year,
rather than just during the event itself.
Photo: © UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz

The SDGs
M
usic is a unique sector in terms of how those
involved in it make money. There are more than
42 different revenue streams for artists and
copyright holders in the music industry.57 In addition,
there are dozens of employment opportunities, from
Goal #8: education to logistics, transport to engineering. For a
Decent
single artist to perform at a festival or music venue,
dozens of skills have to be functioning in unison, from
stage management to design, sound control to security.
Music is decent work.58 Music produces economic
growth. Yet, recognising the diversity and decent work
Work and
in music, and how it can drive overall economic growth
across society, is not widespread. In many cultures,
music remains ceremonial or informal, with no royalty
management schemes in place to pay those who create
and manufacture it. Piracy is rife, especially in the
Economic
developing world. Yet, a song can sustain an income, and
a catalogue of them can provide income for life. Without
music airwaves go silent; without music, instruments
are not manufactured and less speakers are required
Growth
in towns, cities and venues. And music, as a global
sector, increased by 9.7% in 2019 and is predicted to
be worth $80bn by 2030, an increase of over $60bn.59

What is the goal?
Promote sustained, inclusive and
sustainable economic growth,
full and productive employment
and decent work for all
What Can We Do?
For music to help promote economic growth and

decent work, we must advocate for the following:
Photo: © Panos/ Jeroen Oerlemans

ENSURE ALL GOVERNMENTS HAVE FUNCTIONING,
TRANSPARENT COPYRIGHT SOCIETIES
Music can be a force to meet the Global Goals if music, as a right
and piece of intellectual property, is protected by law just as any
other piece of property. However, in many countries this is not
the case and piracy is rife, either through the illegal production of
mixtapes or not remunerating music played live or on the radio. WHICH TARGETS
How Can Music Better advocacy and explaining the impact that functioning collection WILL WE MEET?
societies have on communities and passing a UN resolution to
Create Decent Where Has It Worked? mandate treating intellectual property rights – especially creative
Work and Economic rights – as property rights, will increase revenues for musicians, which
will expand decent work and economic growth around the world.
Growth? NEKO TRUST/BACKSTAGE ACADEMY
In the UK, the NEKO Trust teaches lighting, sound, RECOGNISE ALL ARTISTS AS SMALL BUSINESSES
engineering, production and skills design, creating An artist is an SME. Their works and music are their product. Like
RECOGNISE THE VALUE
a curriculum to teach sector skills behind live any other business, they deserve access to finance, micro‑loan
OF MUSIC RIGHTS
music, stage performances and festivals.61 Through implementation, access to spaces and places, educational
In 2020, one of the most product training, support and masterclasses, and vocational training opportunities and respect that their
valued alternative investments, this has diversified the education opportunities work, like any other, is work. If we don’t recognise music as
according to Bloomberg, is available to prospective music industry graduates, a business first and foremost in this particular context, we
music rights.60 The consistent, outside of performance and composition. 8.2
will not be able to harness it to meet the Global Goals.
patient and long‑term yield Achieve higher levels of
that music rights derive can be FAIR PLAY SCHEME economic productivity
lucrative investments for state The Musicians Union in the UK has run a Fair Play through diversification,
Photo: © UN Photo/Martine Perret

pension funds, sovereign wealth Venue scheme, inviting venues to declare their technological upgrading
advisors and institutional banks. support for the fair treatment of musicians and and innovation, including
their opposition to pay‑to‑play and unfair ticketing through a focus on
CREATE ECONOMIC
deals. Fair Play Venues can be identified by the high‑value added and
DIVERSIFICATION
sticker displayed on the premises, and the Fair Play labour‑intensive sectors.
The music industry has, at its Venue database allows gig goers to search those
core, no barrier to entry. It venues online.”62 This promotes a living wage for
requires drive, practice and vision, musicians and a greater partnership with venues
but is available to everyone. and musicians. Similar initiatives are in place 8.3
Understanding the types of across continental Europe as well, with particularly
jobs that can be created and impactful schemes in France and Switzerland. Promote
expanded across the music development‑oriented
ecosystem and developing SOUND INITIATIVE CAMBODIA policies that support
training and apprenticeship The Sound Initiative is a music and industry productive activities,
structures to foster these skills development training in Cambodia and the first decent job creation,
across curriculum portfolios will in the nation.63 The initiative provides vocational entrepreneurship,
foster good paying, impactful jobs training for young Cambodian songwriters, assists creativity and innovation,
that improve lives, communities them with registering their works and works and encourage the
and societies, all at once. with venues to provide opportunities to artists formalization and growth
to showcase, and be paid for, original music, of micro-, small- and
rather than performing covers. This is creating a medium‑sized enterprises,
burgeoning creative scene and the advocacy to including through access
demonstrate that original music deserves fair pay, to financial services.
to promote economic growth in the country.

The SDGs
T
he music industry However, much of these but what is determined to
is at the forefront innovations are reserved be good music. In addition,
of technological for developed nations he suggests that our current
development. From with industries that can paradigm of infinite choice
innovation in AI monetise, rather than being is broken and recommends
technology to contactless taken as ways to improve a new model of trusted
payment, algorithms infrastructure and access recommendations.”64
that personalise content for all. In addition, the global This creates a more
provision to democratizing reach of music can provide level playing field for all
access, music is often a tool to engage everyone, content, regardless of
one of the first sectors everywhere. According where it originates. Music
to adopt new means and to Scott Cohen, Warner can be a powerful tool to
methods of production, Music’s Chief Innovation spur innovation, develop
Goal #9: dissemination and Officer, AI is making music new industrial models
Industry,
communication. genres obsolete, “because and foster better, more
AI‑generated playlists are sustainable infrastructure.
made not based on genre,
Innovation
and
Infrastructure
What is the goal?
Build resilient infrastructure,
promote inclusive and
sustainable industrialization
and foster innovation Photo: © Adobe Stock/bepsphoto

WHICH TARGETS
WILL WE MEET?
PLATFORM 61 CHANGDONG
In a suburb of Seoul, the city government has
invested in a vast music‑focused infrastructure
project, aimed at creating new opportunities
across music’s vast supply chain. From a new
arena to AI labs, production facilities and testing
venues, the development is unpacking how
music is made and creating spaces and programs
to better facilitate innovation. This is off the
How Does Music back of the success of K‑Pop, one of the most
Impact Industry, successful – and revenue generating – state
interventions in popular music ever conceived.67 9.2
Innovation and
Promote inclusive
Infrastructure? MAGAMBA NETWORK HARARE
and sustainable
Magamba Network uses digital technology,
industrialization and,
music and other creative artforms to provide a
CREATING MORE OFFLINE by 2030, significantly
space to facilitate youth activism and business
EXPERIENCES raise industry’s share
development in Harare. Zimbabwe’s leading creative
From geo‑coding live of employment and
organization and we work on the cutting edge
performances to producing music gross domestic product,
of arts, digital media, activism and innovation.
events in virtual environments and Photo: © UN Photo/Jawad Jalali in line with national
Magamba’s award‑winning initiatives include Shoko
video games, there are many more circumstances, and
Festival, Zimbabwe’s longest‑running festival
opportunities for music makers to double its share in least
of urban culture; Moto Republik, Zimbabwe’s
monetise their craft online, as well first creative hub; the internationally acclaimed What Can We Do? developed countries.
as offline. Greater training and Zambezi News satire show, the weekly political
educational programs to introduce news show The Week and the pioneering digital
these opportunities, alongside media projects Open Parly and The FeedZW.68 PASS RESOLUTIONS TO
traditional music education, will PROMOTE CULTURAL 9.C
foster innovation and improve INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS Significantly increase
opportunities for musicians and In order to promote industry and access to information
creators around the world. Photo: © Adobe Stock/Georgy Dzyura innovation in music and culture, it and communications
must be recognised as an industry technology and strive
MAKING ACCESS TO
in all forms and all places. With to provide universal and
INTERNET A HUMAN RIGHT,
music growing at three times the affordable access to the
SO MORE OF US CAN LISTEN
rate of the global economy and Internet in least developed
By recognising the desire for becoming a sector that can earn countries by 2020.
music in emerging markets, revenue anywhere, by anyone
sustainable infrastructure – even during the COVID‑19
projects can be fast‑tracked, to pandemic – it is important that
satisfy and monetise this need heads of state and governments
quicker. Streaming music grew by recognise the positive impact
nearly 400% from 2016‑2019 in music can have as a sector. The
Africa – an example where new first step to do that is to mandate
technologies have created more that alongside infrastructure
wealth and sustainability.65 For proposals and requests, cultural
example, Tanzania is the fastest needs are included alongside.
growing media and entertainment This will also increase pressure
market in the world up to 2021.66 to speed up provision to the
internet, which is still deprived
from upto 4 billion people.69

The SDGs
W
ith no barrier to power: “These lyrics,
entry, music is from my song Utawala,
a terrific tool to are just a snapshot of the
develop confidence, skill problems I see in Kenya
and identity. According today. Inequality, injustice,
to the World Health power, corruption. We
Organisation, “Engaging live in a country where the
in artistic activities such richest Kenyan’s wealth
as singing and dancing is over $700 million71, yet
from a young age can over 40% of the country’s
Goal #10: reduce social inequalities 44 million people still live
Reduce
and encourage healthy in poverty.72 These issues
behaviours.”70 Music has are real and something
vast mental health benefits needs to be done. I’m
as well, from increasing proud of Utawala because
self esteem to fighting through it, the message on
Inequality
violence. Regardless of inequality hit home with my
where one is, the ability to people – ordinary people
create music is prevalent right across the country.
in society. Recognising the I want to make Kenyans
value of music and planning aware of the inequality
it in will reduce inequality. we all see and encourage
Where this is already them to take a stand. This
happening, this is the case. is what I try to achieve
A blog post by Kenyan artist through my music.”73
Juliani sums up music’s
Photo: © UNICEF/UNI214012/Souleimain/AFP-Services
What is the goal?
Reduce inequality within
and among countries
How Does Music Photo: © Adobe Stock/AS Photo Project What Can We Do?
Reduce Inequalities?
MAKE MUSIC DEVELOPMENT MAKE MUSIC SUPPORT
AMPLIFYING PROGRAMS PERMANENT GENRE AGNOSTIC
MARGINALISED VOICES IN ALL COMMUNITIES We must move past the current
Understanding, monitoring It doesn’t matter where you live; structure where certain genres
and planning the use of music a wealthy community, a village, of music are supported by the
across society can be a powerful a slum, a favela or a housing state, while others are ignored
tool to combat inequality. By estate, everyone should have or left to market forces. We must
incorporating music into harm access to writing, recording and change the discussion to focus
reduction strategies, we’ll producing music. Community on infrastructure, rather than
see more musicians and less centres should be outfitted with discipline. Rappers and DJs must
incarcerations. Drill music is makeshift studios, DJ booths be given the same opportunities
being used to combat gang and vocal areas, which could be as classical violinists.
culture in the UK, providing a used for community projects,
creative outlet for at‑risk youth podcasting, recording and Photo: © Adobe Stock/Laiotz
to express themselves creatively, important, getting together. If
rather than through violence. each country’s social care policy
monitored for community studios
INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE to be included in all community
By providing infrastructure in centre development, we’d see
low‑income communities to learn, music reduce inequality and
practice, record and share music, create opportunities everywhere.
voices, potential revenue streams
and new cultural expressions
are given a wider audience. This
requires top‑down intervention
no matter where we are. By
requiring music and cultural
infrastructure to be equally
distributed across all communities
so music deserts become oases.
MUSIC FUSION, HAMPSHIRE UK

Music Fusion gives at‑risk youth the ability to 10.2
write, record and release music in some of the By 2030, empower
WHICH TARGETS 10.3
UK’s most deprived areas. Started by Jinx Prouse, and promote the
a musician himself, the organisation targets youth WILL WE MEET? Ensure equal opportunity
social, economic and
at‑risk of committing violence and gets them in the political inclusion of and reduce inequalities
studio. It’s work has profound impact. Kane, 13, a all, irrespective of age, of outcome, including by
former young offender who is still reeling from his sex, disability, race, eliminating discriminatory
girlfriend’s fatal stabbing a year ago, says of the ethnicity, origin, religion or laws, policies and
opportunity to rap and perform: “It raises me up economic or other status. practices and promoting
a little bit, makes me feel good about myself."74 appropriate legislation,
policies and action
in this regard.

The SDGs
A
ll our cities are Music is a terrific canary
Goal #11: musical. From in the development coal
Sustainable
car horns to mine that can be used to
stereos, symphonies to enhance sustainable, ethical
choirs, music is a part and inclusive urbanisation.
of the fabric of urban Musicians and artists are
settlements. Music is also often the first to inhabit
Cities and
a terrific tool to develop and regenerate areas.
policies that can make With a target to ensure
cities more sustainable, safe and secure housing
healthier and happier. for all, understanding the
In some cities, music is
Communities
impact music and noise
being used as a tool to has in communities can
map needs related to help design better, quieter
evening and night‑time homes that aid in sleep
public transit. Leaving and rest. From designing
concert goers alone at adequate building codes to
night without any provision neighbourhood planning,
to get home makes people usage of public spaces
feel less safe. But that and promoting community
What is the goal? is one small example. empowerment and conflict
resolution, music can
Make cities and human create more sustainable,
settlements inclusive, safe, fair and human‑centred
resilient and sustainable urban settlements.
How Does Music Where Has It Worked? What Can We Do?
Make Cities
Sustainable? PERFORMING ARTS READINESS For music to help make cities and
In the United States, a number of cities and communities more sustainable, we
festivals are working together to better understand must advocate for the following:
RESILIENCE PLANNING
the impact of the events they hold and create
Understanding the actions of DEVELOP MUSIC TOURISM STRATEGIES
more sustainable strategies related to resilience,
crowds and mass gatherings IN EVERY PLACE, EVERYWHERE
conservation and human impact. The Performing
helps support resilience planning. Arts Readiness (PAR) project supports a variety of Every country has a story to tell, reinforce and
The Art of Mass Gatherings, a programs to increase knowledge and the ability celebrate through music. Creating a music
framework to manage weather, of performing arts organizations to create and tourism plan that incorporates marketing, live
power, security, and crowd execute emergency recovery plans, recognizing events, attractions, trails and communication
control among a plethora of the critical roles that music and performing can raise awareness towards existing heritage
other concerns at events is arts organizations play in sustaining both local while promoting living culture at the same
being used by cities resiliency economies and community culture and heritage. The time. Similarly to how we celebrate cultural
offices to model the potential City of Denver, through Denver Arts and Venues, heritage tourism, we need to see music as a
impact of mass events, such is one of the first communities to incorporate standalone tourism sector, with unique revenue
as pandemics or terrorism.75 resilience and sustainability within its music and and job creating opportunities worldwide.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION arts policies, working with all city-owned venues MANDATE RESILIENCE STRATEGIES
on a sustainability management plan. This could AT ALL PUBLIC VENUES
Music can also be used to
become a model that could work globally across
support conflict resolution, It is not only about health and safety, but also
cities, performing arts organisations and venues.77
language skills and community how our venues, concert halls, football stadiums,
development in temporary cities, BAIXADA NEVER GIVES UP amphitheatres and arenas can thrive in the
such as displacement camps future. How can they become carbon neutral
A UNDP pilot project focused on SDG #11 merged
and transitioning areas. This and generate their own energy and food? How
music, arts and community development. A
is prevalent in the work of In can they recycle waste? How can they be
documentary featuring a collective of musicians
Place of War, who build music better connected to the cities that house them
from Baixada, one of the most violence‑riddled
infrastructure in conflict areas, to and how can we create new jobs to combat
communities on earth, used rap battles to bring
ensure music is what fills people’s automation and AI? To meet SDG #11, an event
musicians together to express themselves.
days, rather than taking up arms.76 and event venue resilience plan – across economic
The documentary was featured at the Chelsea
development, climate action and tourism can
Film Festival in New York in 2017.78 Photo: © Unsplash/Sebastian Estrada
ensure that cities become more sustainable.
GLOBAL MUSIC TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
In order to safeguard and develop national heritage,
a number of governments are increasing the
development of music tourism around the world.
Photo: © UN Photo/Simone D. McCourtie
From celebrating Mozart in Salzburg to the success

of the Americana Music Triangle in the United States, 11.3
to increasing electronic music festivals in Croatia,
music is creating new experiences and opportunities By 2030, enhance
for nations to research and celebrate their heritage. WHICH TARGETS inclusive and sustainable 11.4
WILL WE MEET? urbanization and capacity
for participatory, Strengthen efforts to
integrated and sustainable protect and safeguard
human settlement the world’s cultural
planning and management and natural heritage.
in all countries.

The SDGs
T
he music industry, in 2016, in the US alone.80
and the music While it is impossible to
ecosystem in its compare the production
entirety is a terrific case and consumption practices
study to explore how of the 2000s to those
to improve production now in music, the results
practices and promote reveal opportunities to
responsible consumption. reform, and clean up, both
Music is a carbon practices. There’s multiple
Goal #12: heavy business. solutions embedded in
Responsible
First, the good news. the music sector that
The production and could work in other
consumption of plastic in sectors; from storing
the music industry dropped vast amounts of data to
utilising natural resources,
Consumption
from 61m kg of plastic in
the USA to 8m now.79 This manufacturing plastics
is due to less production of to office sustainability.
CDs and more streaming. Better understanding
However, the electricity this ecosystem can
and
used to store files for help promote more
streaming has ballooned, responsibility, not
from 157m greenhouse gas just in this sector but
equivalents (GHGs) in 2000, society as a whole.
to between 200 and 350m
Production
What is the goal?
Ensure sustainable consumption
and production patterns
How Does Music Where Has It Worked? What Can We Do?
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Jacob Lund

Create More
Responsible GREEN VINYL For music to help ensure
Production and The Green Vinyl Records Project is a collaboration sustainable consumption
between 8 Dutch institutions to make the vinyl and production patterns,
Consumption? manufacturing process cleaner, more efficient we must advocate
and environmentally friendly.83 Reducing plastic for the following:
DIGITAL SALES and energy usage during the moulding process
DEVELOP RESPONSIBLE
One emerging practice is to is leading to cleaner, more efficient records,
which is important as the global market for MUSIC ECOSYSTEM
ensure data centres storing PRODUCTION AND
music run on renewable energy, vinyl is increasing at a rate of 12% per year.
CONSUMPTION CHARTER
with Spotify committing their MUSIC WOOD CHARTER Everything is interconnected in
servers to Google Cloud, which
As far back as 2010, Greenpeace alongside a number music. From the concert we go
runs sustainably. In 2019, they
of guitar manufacturers has mandated sustainable to, to the headphones we use to
reduced their impact by 15m
logging practices under a ‘Music Wood Charter’ listen to Spotify, to the offices
tonnes, according to their report.81
for their guitars, drums and other equipment.84 and studios that house those that
However, they are still rated D in
work to create and market music.
Greenpeace’s ClickClean ratings, ECO TOILETS Bundling together key targets
so much more needs to be done.82
Festival partnerships prior to COVID‑19, including across the music ecosystem,
SUSTAINABLE one led by Shambala Festival in England, have from live music to streaming,
SUPPLY CHAINS pioneered water & waste free toilet facilities that education provision to instrument
In the UK, a number of music function without being reliant on an electrical grid manufacturing can provide greater
companies are bundling their or wider waste management infrastructure.85 transparency for customers to
office energy requirements via the choose equipment and services by
independent trade association, those who produce or disseminate
negotiating a better rate with music – or the instruments
a green energy supplier. New used to make it – responsibly.
12.5
technologies are creating
greener vinyl manufacturing. By 2030, substantially
reduce waste
generation through
prevention, reduction, Photo: © Adobe Stock/Yakobchuk Olena
recycling and reuse.
WHICH TARGETS
WILL WE MEET?
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Thomas Andreas Parpoulas
12.8
By 2030, ensure that
people everywhere have
the relevant information
and awareness for
sustainable development
and lifestyles in
harmony with nature.

The SDGs
T
here are a number of All of music’s multinationals have
organisations leading the music sustainability practices, each committing
industry’s response to the climate to reducing emissions across their supply
emergency. While many initiatives exist chains. On Music Declares’ website,
to reduce impact on the ground, the a number of initiatives are listed that
overarching change, especially in the music companies are taking to reduce
capacity to reduce impact across live their carbon output. The uniqueness of
events and festivals, is being more than this is that the music’s industry reliance
norm than the exception. From a coalition on combating climate change involves
of festivals across Europe championing engaging with, and often changing,
Goal #13: green energy,86 to organisations such other sectors in order to meet their
Climate
as artist led Music Declares Emergency own objectives. From supplying one’s
and NGOs Julie’s Bicycle or A Greener own food to satisfy green artist riders
Festival, a number of active and engaged to keeping bees on rooftops of venues,
leaders are driving the music industry switching to renewable energy to power
towards meeting COP26 targets. servers that host music files or switching
Action
to sustainable cups at venues (and
ensuring who one sources from are
mitigating their impacts), music can be a
substantial force to combat the greatest
and more pressing issue of our time.
What is the goal?

Take urgent action to
combat climate change
and its impacts Photo: © UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

How Can Music Where Has It Worked? What Can We Do?
Take Urgent
Action to Combat MUSIC DECLARES EMERGENCY For music to help combat climate
Climate Change? Music Declares was started by a number of change and its impacts, we must
musicians in the UK and has since grown to over advocate for the following:
2,700 signatories, each committed to reducing
CROSS-INDUSTRY ALLIANCES ATTACH PUBLIC FUNDING
their carbon output and accepting that we now
Festivals require a number live in a climate emergency. A number of guides TO CLIMATE ACTION
of sectors to collaborate and have been produced on its website, depending In most countries around the world, music is
produce a green event – from on if one is a venue owner, music firm, musicians publicly funded in one way or another. In Canada,
set up to take down – requires or fan, outlining different ways to reduce one’s the government supports all sectors and structures
working to reduce carbon carbon. The initiative has had a significant of the value chain. In some countries, funding is
across transport, logistics, impact in Europe, leading to some of the most restricted to building concert halls and teaching
hospitality, energy and other successful artists in the world changing their classical music. Regardless, all public support for
sectors. By deconstructing the practices, including Billie Eilish (who has banned music should be tied to better understanding, and
supply chain, as is being done, plastic bottles from her gigs) to Radiohead changing, the supply chain that utilises that money.
the music industry can reduce (who power their tour using green energy). If instruments are purchased, they need to come
global impacts in a number of from sustainable sources. Artists and companies
ways, to championing better JULIE’S BICYCLE receiving funding must demonstrate how they are
food production (to supply Julie’s Bicycle is a UK based non‑for‑profit that reducing their impact. By pegging public funding
to events) to switching to has set up a Carbon Impact Calculator for the to climate action, we can create real change.
green energy (across venues, music and creative sectors, to advise on and
festivals and offices). STOP ALL PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN
support music companies to reduce their carbon
FIRMS WHO DO NOT TAKE ACTION
impacts. Their work has led to a commitment
STANDARDISING Many multinational and national firms receive
from Arts Council England for grantees to submit
Photo: © UN Photo/Logan Abassi

CLIMATE POSITIVE carbon impact reports as part of their funding tax incentives, direct funding and other research
PROCESS AS NORMAL requirements and so far, over 50 large theatres, and development tax credits. Each of these
From green riders (ensuring no music venues and music organisations have firms, if receiving taxpayer money, should
waste provisions are provided to gone through creative green certification. be required to undertake a climate audit. If
artist and crew) to eliminating they fail and do not address issues in due
plastic cups at events and in course, their support should be withdrawn.
studios and rehearsal spaces,
to committing en masse to IMPORTANT NOTE
renewable energy, every nation There are countless other examples of
should have guidance, led by individual artists and companies using
its music sector, outlining steps music, in one way or another, to either raise
to take to ensure the wider awareness of the climate emergency or take WHICH TARGETS
ecosystem is combating the steps to reduce it. There should be an entire WILL WE MEET?
climate emergency in all its forms 13.3
report dedicated to that, if one hasn’t been
and functions. No matter where written. The objective is not just to use music Improve education,
music is heard, the environment as an output to raise awareness, but also use awareness‑raising
around it should be sustainable the expansiveness of music’s supply chain 13.2 and human and
and focused on renewables. to deliver real change. Music can’t happen institutional capacity
Integrate climate change
without many sectors working together. on climate change
measures into national
Starting with music can create real change. mitigation, adaptation,
policies, strategies
To start and recognise all the incredible impact reduction and
and planning.
agents of change, please visit early warning.
www.musicxgreen.com, an incredible
resource of companies making the
world better, through music.

The SDGs
I
t may seen tangential, Companies are
but there’s a number creating more efficient
of ways that music manufacturing processes
can positively impact for vinyl records that
and support the delivery use less water.87 While
of SDG #14, Life Below not one of the more
Water. Music’s supply direct Global Goals in
chain relies on sustaining which music can have an
and improving life in our impact, it is important
rivers, lakes, seas and that all fish and seafood
streams. From delivering being served in venues,
water sources at music studios and other music
festivals and to feeding spaces are responsibly
artists and their teams sourced and that music
on tour, to using music to continues to be used as
raise awareness for the a tool to raise awareness
targets of the goal, there’s of the importance life
a number of initiatives below water for all of us.
to learn from, replicate
and promote to better
understand the impact
Goal #14: that life below water has
Life Below
on music, and vice‑versa.
Water
What is the goal?
Conserve and sustainably use
the oceans, seas and marine
resources for sustainable
development Photo: © UN Photo/Martine Perret

WATER CONSERVATION PLAYLIST

A unique take on encouraging people to take shorter
showers. A playlist was designed of songs under five
minutes that one can sing to, to time people better
and encourage them to take shorter showers. This WHICH TARGET
resulted in a playlist from Pandora and Southern CAN WE MEET?
California’s Metropolitan Water District, of water
themed songs to sing in the shower.90 While this was
launched in 2015, the message rings true today.
How Does Music
Photo: © UN Photo/Milton Grant

Impact Life MONTANA LIVE CONSERVATION FEST
While there are many examples of music being used
Below Water? to promote life below water, a group of activists
in Bozeman, Montana USA took it a step further in
ADVOCACY AND 2019, organised a Water Conservation Festival, using
FUNDRAISING music, food, drink and beer to raise awareness of life
below water. Proceeds from donations helped fund
For example, Billie Eilish provides
the Land and Water Conservation Fund of Montana.91 14.7
refillable water stations at her
shows and has prohibited bottled THE NILE PROJECT What Can We Do? By 2030, increase the
water on and off stage.88 economic benefits to Small
A project using music to inform citizens and
Canada’s Waterkeeper Alliance Island developing States
residents about how to best care for and protect
uses music to promote sustainable REVISED WATER POLICY and least developed
the Nile River, through performances, talks and
fishing and river keeping.89 CONCERNING LIVE MUSIC countries from the
engagements.92
No music event, no matter how large, should be sustainable use of marine
RESPONSIBLE resources, including
MUSIC TOURISM selling bottled water in areas where potable water
is available. Through initiatives like rCup, events can through sustainable
There has been a significant management of fisheries,
Photo: © UN Photo/Mark Garten

provide reusable cups.93 Such initiatives have to go
increase in festivals on cruise aquaculture and tourism.
venue by venue, city by city and be environmentally
ships, all of which are creating
and fiscally sustainable. Policies need to be
an impact below water that
developed and infrastructure invested in, so clean
needs managing. While this is
water is available for venues (like households)
on the increase, there are calls
to use, to minimise single‑use water products.
to limit the amount of music
festivals at sea, due to their DEVELOP ISLAND MUSIC TOURISM PLANS
potential impact. It is important Working with organisations such as the Global Island
that cruises featuring music Partnership, music can be used as a tool to promote
are as sustainable as possible sustainable island based tourism. From Jamaica’s
or the practice is ended. usage of its UNESCO City of Music designation
to Maluku Island in Indonesia being the home of
the original Hawaiian guitar sound, programs can
be created to develop revenue streams for small
island nations, using music tourism, that can be
reinvested in local communities, conservation and
development. Currently no island music tourism
framework exists. Such a policy to support life below
water is an opportunity for all island nations to
use their local cultural output more strategically.

The SDGs
T
he city of Bristol in From careful site selection
the UK released a for festivals to minimise
One City SDG Plan environmental impact to
Goal #15: in 2018, outlining hundreds widespread venue greening
of urban development (urban gardens, rooftop
Life on
targets to reach before beehives, composting and
2050 across each of solar energy), a number of
the 17 Global Goals.94 decisions made every day
The objectives focused in music’s supply chain
Land
on improving the local support, and can deliver
environment, access to on, the targets in SDG #15.
parkland and tree canopy. Including music as a tool
One goal was to provide to promote conservation,
a tracker for all residents endangered species and
to access environmental other issues continues
data by 2024. To achieve to be a value add around
such a solution, one area the world, but it is music’s
that could be looked at as supply chain where the
inspiration in the emerging solutions can be found to
green music festival inspire and influence. A
sector, led by A Greener festival is a small city, and
Festival. But this is only a city can be a series of
one example of music’s festivals. Thinking similarly
impact – and ability – to can bring solutions for both.
support life on land.
What is the goal?

Protect, restore and promote
sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests, combat
desertification, and halt and
reverse land degradation
and halt biodiversity loss
How Does Music What Can We Do?
WHICH TARGETS
Impact Life on Land? WILL WE MEET?
For music to help protect life on land,
MONITORING RESOURCES we must advocate for the following:
Festivals are the solution CROWDSOURCE LIFE ON LAND MUSIC PLANS
incubators here, from MECA All cities, places, parks and areas should have plans
Brazil’s partnership with to better understand how music can be used in
Togetherband95 to Turkey’s first them. Whether amplified or not, our natural habitat
ever sustainable music festival – is our largest venue, so long as we recognise
from land sourcing to production, how to use it properly. For areas such as national
supply and consumption – forests or parks that could be turned into venues,
Festtogether, which UNDP representatives should welcome plans to propose
partnered on.96 While not specific incorporating music in, whether it is through
to music (this happens at all 15.6
recording, live music or community performance.
festivals), the manner in which Photo: © Adobe Stock/Brad
But to do so, it must be done by adhering to Promote fair and equitable
events are created, using sensors all requirements in SDG #15. Who knows, we sharing of the benefits
& cameras, the impact of their could create a number of new sustainable music arising from the utilization
events on the land they use Where Has It Worked? venues to inspire, bring together and unite. of genetic resources and
provides adaptable solutions that promote appropriate
could be rolled out city wide. INCENTIVISE LIFE ON LAND PROTECTION access to such resources,
From predicting overused walking RED ROCKS SMARTER Be it through tax incentives or other funding as internationally agreed.
trails to using wristbands to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, owned by Denver mechanisms, the more sustainable a venue is
monitor food purchases (and the Arts & Venues, developed the SMARTER in its community and the more it aligns itself
waste that needs collecting from Sustainable Arts & Venues campaign and has with SDG #15 and other targets, the more it
them), a festival can be seen as a taken/is taking the following actions to reduce should be given access to incentive programs to
microcosm of a city, whose SDG our impact and operate more sustainably. improve its capacity, product and offer. If we tie
Global Goals are aligned with The plan is based on waste diversion, water sustainable development to economic development,
those written in Bristol’s report. conservation and air quality. A switch to low both sides could benefit from each other.
flow toilets reduced water consumption by 20%
Photo: © UN Photo/Pablo Garcia Saldana
in an area with natural water shortages. Their
plan is one of the more robust in North America
to protect the land around the venue.97
REVERB LIFE ON LAND

The ”UN Environment Program and REVERB are
working with musicians to educate and engage
music fans on environmental issues and identify
opportunities to mitigate carbon emissions. Artists
included in the initiative include Fleetwood Mac,
who feature SDG Content at their concerts. REVERB,
led by musician Jack Johnson, has “worked with
venues to conserve energy, reduce food waste and
single‑use plastic, and support carbon offset projects
around the world.” All of which is supporting a
number of Global Goals and the land around them.98
FREQUENCY FESTIVAL (AUSTRIA)

At this festival, your tent plants a tree. For every
tent that is taken back home from the festival
and not left at the festival, the organisers plant
a tree. This is a great incentive that supports
better personal stewardship at festivals.99

The SDGs
Photo: © UN Photo
A
ccording to the In countries with few Instituting, understanding
Goal #16: UN, “corruption, working mechanisms to and reinforcing these
Peace,
bribery, theft and protect intellectual property institutions in music would
tax evasion cost $1.26 and workers rights, these provide a silent economic
trillion USD for developing issues are compounded stream for millions of
countries per year; this further, as jobs cannot creators worldwide, but
amount of money could be created if there are to function this requires
Justice
be used to lift those who limited systems in place to justice policies that do not
are living on less than support them. The complex exist in many countries.
$1.25 a day above $1.25 ecosystem that underpins As stated in drill music
for at least six years.”100 the music economy and its documentary Terms and
and Strong
This has been made global players can provide Conditions, “Art is art,
worse by COVID‑19, which solutions and lessons freedom of speech is
has led to hundreds of to secure peace, justice freedom of speech, crime is
millions more falling into and better institutions crime – what we must not
extreme poverty. Like all worldwide. According do is blur them into one. If
Institutions
industries, corruption and to the Journal of Music someone is inciting violence
bribery pose challenges quoting an article by UK or someone is committing
in music. According to Music Managers Forum a crime, then the police
the Institute for Policy CEO Annabella Coldrick, should do their job. What
Innovation, piracy cost the “‘If the global music seems to be happening is
music industry $12.5bn publishing business were a this grey area is created
USD per year at its house its plumbing would when your content has this
height, with 71,060 jobs be the leakiest, most kind of energy, it’s assumed
lost in the US alone.101 bizarre, inefficient and it is inciting violence.”103
What is the goal? complicated imaginable.”102
Promote peaceful and inclusive
societies for sustainable development,
provide access to justice for all and
build effective, accountable and
inclusive institutions at all levels
How Does Music Where Has It Worked?
WHICH TARGETS
Promote Peace, WILL WE MEET?
Justice and Strong UGANDA CHILD SOLDIERS MUSIC
Institutions? THERAPY PROGRAM
A program in Gulu, Uganda has used music to
reacclimate former child soldiers into Ugandan
INTELLECTUAL society. According to Associated Press, “The
PROPERTY REVENUE inadequate response by government and aid groups
Music relies on the registration, during and after the conflict left many former child
reporting of intellectual abductees with serious trauma, said Collins Kisembo,
work. The work needs to be project manager for YOLRED’s music therapy
representative of the creators program. Many are withdrawn, isolated, filled with
and performers on the track and anger. Where words fail them, music has helped.
systems need to exist to know “You realize that somebody now is trying to speak 16.5
when music has been used in the message in himself,” said Kisembo, who trained
Substantially reduce
what capacity, so the money as a psychologist after working in a local school.107
corruption and bribery
ends up in the wallets of those
MUSIC IN PRISONS in all their forms.
who created and performed
on it. In many countries, these There are many music programs across penitentiaries
systems do not exist. This in North America and Europe, but few exist in
removes economic opportunities the developing world. From the UK’s Irene Taylor
to lift oneself from poverty and Trust and Changing Tunes to the United States’
promote theft over fair use. National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance, music is
being used as a tool to reduce offending rates.108 Photo: © UN Photo/Pernaca Sudhakaran
HARM REDUCTION But there’s no global initiative to ensure all prisons
Where would the world have music programs. Using these are examples,
be without John Lennon’s we can promote music’s role in harm reduction What Can We Do? 16.7
Imagine? Or such initiatives and rehabilitation in prisons around the world.
like Warchild’s concert series Ensure responsive,
in the UK that raises millions of IN PLACE OF WAR INCLUDE MUSIC PROGRAMS IN ALL inclusive, participatory
dollars, or the impact a music Pioneering program that has built studios and HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES and representative
festival in Myanmar can bring rehearsal spaces in conflict areas around the world, decision‑making
Music is a proven tool that can be used to promote
to reduce ethnic tensions and including in Colombia, South Africa and Uganda.109 at all levels.
restorative justice. Ensure music and art programs
promote peace.104 Furthermore, are funded in prisons and rehabilitation centres;
music can reduce knife crime ensure there are adequate music programs
and gang affiliation,105 or be in refugee camps and within other displaced
used in Colombia to reduce communities. Widespread inclusion of music,
the murder rate.106 With the song and dance has mental health and wellbeing
appropriate infrastructure and benefits, can instill a sense of self worth and
institutional justice behind it, reduce the cost on justice institutions, as one 16.8
music can be a powerful force with self worth often leads to less crime.110
to bring peace to all of us, no Broaden and strengthen
matter what genre we prefer. ENSURE GLOBAL COPYRIGHT IS RESPECTED the participation of
Using the power, research and capacity of developing countries
WIPO, UNCTAD and other organisations, the UN in the institutions of
and its intergovernmental agency partners can global governance.
take a more active role in ensuring all nations
around the world have strong, transparent and
equal intellectual property rights management
systems. Only when artists and creators are paid
fairly no matter where they live and what they
Photo: © UNMISS/Isaac Billy look like can we begin to achieve SDG #16.

The SDGs
M
usic is the But the structures, urban development
ultimate regulations, ordinances, practices, or ensuring the
value‑add. When laws and resolutions supply chain in music (a
music is included, nothing to ensure that music is series of partnerships in
is ever taken away. When included as a partner and of themselves) is as
Goal #17: music hits, you feel in a simple, accessible sustainable as possible,
Partnerships
no pain. One person’s manner is not optimised music has a role to play.
success with a track does to meet the Global Goals. It’s all there for us to take
not mean another person When certain genres are advantage of through music.
has less opportunities for funded and others are
the same fate. Including criminalised, racial, ethnic
to achieve
music in one school does and gender boundaries
not depreciate the school increase despite music
down the road’s ability to being a tool to remove them.
teach music. Having music The global partnership for
the Goal
at a reception does not sustainable development
reduce the impact of the should include music at its
message the organiser core – whether its featuring
is focused on delivering. music at high level summits
Someone enjoying a to build greater cultural
YouTube music video in ties (so long artists are paid
the Bahamas does not for their performance),
mean there’s less music creating festivals and the
for another aficionado infrastructure to support
in the Philippines. them across sustainable
What is the goal?
Revitalize the global partnership
for sustainable development
Photo: © Unsplash/Callum Shaw
Revitalise
Partnerships? EVERYWHERE
From using music to attract investment to music
CREATE MUSIC being a tool for sustainable tourism, countless
CITIES POLICIES examples exist of music being included across
industries through partnerships to make places,
To meet the Global Goals and
people and institutions better. Music, like all
establish greater partnerships,
of us, are products of globalisation. A form of
music must have a voice in wider WHICH TARGETS
music can be invented in one place, developed
civic conversation, including WILL WE MEET?
in another, perfected in another and consumed
how overall strategic decisions
around the world. Take traditional Hawaiian steel
are made around allocation
guitar music, featured in the Disney film Moana.
of resources, development,
It originated in Maluku Province, Indonesia.111
health and education. Few
It was developed in Hawaii but turned into a
places have music policies that
valuable economic asset, through partnerships,
institute – deliberately and
in California. And now it is consumed all over the
intentionally – the role of music
world. Every genre has its own story. Every sound
What Can We Do?
in urban governance. This must
has a purpose. It is time for us to use it to meet
change, so there’s a path for all
the sustainable development Global Goals. For music to develop partnerships
partners to engage with music.
to achieve the Global Goals, we
INCORPORATE MUSIC must advocate for the following:
POLICIES AND EXPERTISE 17.3
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Valeriy
INTO SDG OFFICES MUSIC INVESTMENT MUST Mobilize additional
For those countries with SDG FEATURE IN RECOVERY financial resources for
Offices or cities engaging in We must not go back to the way things were. developing countries
implementing their Voluntary We must improve. This starts with being from multiple sources.
Local Plans (VLP), incorporating intentional. Providing a voice. Creating a policy.
music expertise – via a musician, All economic recovery funding must include
artist or music professional investing in the wider music and cultural
on the committee, board or ecosystem. This is how we will build back better.
commission making decisions,
will uncover new opportunities CREATE A MUSIC AND SDG
to meet the challenges of GLOBAL OBSERVATORY
our time, and through that, This guide should become its own office, within
the Global Goals by 2030. the UN Office of Global Goals, to create a clear 17.5
set of monitoring processes across the targets Adopt and implement
and indicators, to support all countries, cities investment promotion
and organisations that wish to use music to regimes for least
meet the Global Goals. We have already taken developed countries.
the first step towards setting the road map
of change for the music industry by creating
the SDG Music Network. Get in touch.
CREATE A GLOBAL MUSIC

DEVELOPMENT BANK
Music rights, as discussed, are one of the
most lucrative alternative investments in 2021.
They should become incorporated into impact
infrastructure investment, through the creation
of a Music Development Bank, or a distinct music
department within an existing development bank.

Chapter 3
Let’s
Get Started
Photo: © Adobe Stock/jeancliclac
90 91
Let’s Get Started
On the following pages,

we have summarised
every initiative and idea to
take forward so music can
become a more engaged Photo: © Mónica Suárez Galindo/PNUD Perú
and impactful partner to

meet the Global Goals.
But the first thing we must do, before any
action is taken, is to change how we think
about music. Music is much more than
entertainment. It is a growth economy.
It is a lifeline. It is a communicator. It is
a powerful tool to bring us together. So
next time you listen to your favourite song,
or when we’re all able to go back to a gig
or a festival, remember and harness the
power of what’s around you. It’s not just
the song. It’s an artform that when we all
work together, can change the world.
92 Let’s Get Started Let’s Get Started 93

GLOBAL GOAL #1 GLOBAL GOAL #4 and ensure equal access to GLOBAL GOAL #5
End Poverty In All Quality Education all levels of education and Gender Equality
Forms Everywhere vocational training for the
HOW DOES MUSIC vulnerable, including persons HOW DOES MUSIC
HOW DOES MUSIC SUPPORT EACH SDG? with disabilities, indigenous SUPPORT EACH SDG?
SUPPORT EACH SDG? • Music education peoples, and children in • Provides educational
• Widens the value of improves all education vulnerable situations. opportunities for
Intellectual Property GLOBAL GOAL #2 WHAT TARGETS • Music develops 4.7 by 2030 ensure all women and girls
• Engages Youth Zero Hunger WILL WE MEET cognitive strength learners acquire knowledge WHAT DO WE
• Expands Expression 2.1 by 2030 end hunger and • Music Improves our memory and skills needed to promote NEED TO DO?
HOW DOES MUSIC
ensure access by all people, and verbal intelligence sustainable development, • Monitor Gender Balance
WHAT DO WE SUPPORT EACH SDG?
in particular the poor and including among others Across All Music Sectors
NEED TO DO? • Creates Awareness people in vulnerable situations WHAT DO WE through education for
•C
reates Food Redistribution NEED TO DO? • Provide More Educational
• Ensure Robust including infants, to safe, sustainable development
Opportunities Opportunities for
intellectual property nutritious and sufficient • Make Music Education and sustainable lifestyles,
Women in Music
regulation WHAT DO WE food all year round. Mandatory human rights, gender equality,
promotion of a culture of • Stamp Out All
• Establish After School NEED TO DO? 2.2 by 2030 end all forms • Teach What People Listen To
Music Programs peace and non‑violence, global Harassment
•F
oster Better Partnerships of malnutrition, including WHAT TARGETS
Everywhere achieving by 2025 the citizenship, and appreciation WHAT TARGETS
•T
urn Stadiums into Gardens WILL WE MEET of cultural diversity and of
• Ensure Fair Pay internationally agreed targets WILL WE MEET
4.5 by 2030, eliminate gender culture’s contribution to
on stunting and wasting in 5.5 ensure women’s full
WHAT TARGETS children under 5 years of age, disparities in education sustainable development. and effective participation
WILL WE MEET and address the nutritional and equal opportunities
1.2 by 2030, reduce needs of adolescent girls, for leadership at all
at least by half the pregnant and lactating levels of decision‑making
proportion of men, women women, and older persons. GLOBAL GOAL #6 in political, economic,
and children of all ages Clean Water and Sanitation and public life.
living in poverty in all its 5.A undertake reforms to
dimensions according HOW DOES MUSIC
give women equal rights
to national definitions. SUPPORT EACH SDG?
GLOBAL GOAL #3 WHAT TARGETS to economic resources,
1.4 by 2030 ensure that Good Health and Wellbeing WILL WE MEET • Festival infrastructure can as well as access to
all men and women, support water provision ownership and control over
3.8 achieve universal health
particularly the poor HOW DOES MUSIC • Lead by example: Ban Plastic land and other forms of
coverage (UHC), including
and the vulnerable, SUPPORT EACH SDG? Water Bottles At Festivals property, financial services,
financial risk protection,
have equal rights to • It Helps Us Live Longer access to quality essential inheritance, and natural
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
economic resources, as • It Reduces Stress health care services, and resources in accordance
• Go to festivals and music venues that
well as access to basic access to safe, effective, with national laws.
WHAT DO WE monitor and manage their impacts
services, ownership, and quality, and affordable
NEED TO DO?
control over land and essential medicines WHAT TARGETS WILL WE MEET
other forms of property, •E
stablish Music and
and vaccines for all. 6.4 by 2030, substantially increase
inheritance, natural Wellbeing Policies
3.D strengthen the capacity water‑use efficiency across all sectors and
resources, appropriate •C
reate Music Programs in ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply
of all countries, particularly
new technology, and All Senior & Care Facilities of freshwater to address water scarcity,
developing countries, for
financial services •F
oster Partnerships with and substantially reduce the number of
early warning, risk reduction,
including microfinance. Insurers and Phone Providers people suffering from water scarcity.
and management of national
• Incorporate Music and global health risks. 6.B support and strengthen the participation
and Wellbeing into of local communities for improving
COVID Recovery water and sanitation management.

GLOBAL GOAL #7 GLOBAL GOAL #10 GLOBAL GOAL #11
Affordable and Reduced Inequalities Sustainable Cities
Clean Energy
HOW DOES MUSIC HOW DOES MUSIC
HOW DOES MUSIC SUPPORT EACH SDG? SUPPORT EACH SDG?
SUPPORT EACH SDG? GLOBAL GOAL #8 WHAT TARGETS • Music Is A Tool to • Music Supports Resilience Planning
• Music Can Lead By Decent Work and WILL WE MEET Amplify marginalised • Music is A Conflict resolution Tool
Example In Regards Economic Growth 8.2 achieve higher levels of voices
To Events productivity of economies WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
HOW DOES MUSIC WHAT DO WE
through diversification, • Develop Music Tourism Strategies
WHAT DO WE SUPPORT EACH SDG? NEED TO DO?
technological upgrading and In Every Place, Everywhere
NEED TO DO? • It Creates Wealth By • Make Music Development
innovation, including through • Mandate Resilience Strategies
• Create Policies to Recognising The Value a focus on high value added Programs Permanent At All Public Venues
Promote Renewable of Music Rights and labor‑intensive sectors. In All Communities
Energy in Music Venues • It Diversifies Economies • Make Music Support WHAT TARGETS WILL WE MEET
8.3 promote
• Use Sustainable Festival Genre Agnostic 11.3 by 2030 enhance inclusive and
WHAT DO WE development‑oriented policies
Infrastructure To sustainable urbanization and capacities
NEED TO DO? that support productive WHAT TARGETS
Promote Sustainable for participatory, integrated and
•E
nsure all governments have activities, decent job WILL WE MEET
Infrastructure sustainable human settlement planning
functioning, transparent creation, entrepreneurship, 10.2 by 2030 empower and management in all countries.
WHAT TARGETS copyright societies creativity and innovation, and and promote the social,
WILL WE MEET encourage formalization and 11.4 strengthen efforts to protect
•R
ecognise all artists economic and political and safeguard the world’s cultural
7.2 increase substantially growth of micro-, small- and inclusion of all irrespective
as small businesses and natural heritage.
the share of renewable medium-sized enterprises of age, sex, disability, race,
energy in the global including through access ethnicity, origin, religion or
energy mix by 2030. to financial services. economic or other status.
7.3 double the global rate 10.3 ensure equal
GLOBAL GOAL #12
of improvement in energy opportunity and reduce
Responsible Production
efficiency by 2030. inequalities of outcome,
GLOBAL GOAL #9 including through HOW DOES MUSIC
Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure eliminating discriminatory SUPPORT EACH SDG?
HOW DOES MUSIC laws, policies and practices • Music Can Foster Digital Transformation
SUPPORT EACH SDG? and promoting appropriate and Sustainable supply chains
legislation, policies and
• It Creates Wealth and Social Benefit WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
actions in this regard.
through Creating More Offline Experiences • Develop Responsible Music Ecosystem
•P
romotes the Need for Production and Consumption Charter
Access to the Internet
WHAT TARGETS WILL WE MEET
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? 12.5 by 2030, substantially reduce

•P
ass Resolutions To Promote waste generation through prevention,
Cultural Infrastructure Plans reduction, recycling, and reuse.
WHAT TARGETS WILL WE MEET 12.8 by 2030 ensure that people
everywhere have the relevant information
9.2 promote inclusive and sustainable
and awareness for sustainable development
industrialization, and by 2030 raise
and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
significantly industry’s share of employment
and GDP in line with national circumstances,
and double its share in LDCs.
9.C significantly increase access to ICT and
strive to provide universal and affordable
access to internet in LDCs by 2020.

GLOBAL GOAL #13 GLOBAL GOAL #14 WHAT TARGETS
Climate Action Life Below Water WILL WE MEET
14.7 by 2030 increase
HOW DOES MUSIC HOW DOES MUSIC
the economic benefits to
SUPPORT EACH SDG? SUPPORT EACH SDG?
Small Island Developing
• Music Can Lead •M
usic Can Lead Advocacy States (SIDS) and Least
In Developing and Fundraising Developed Countries
Cross‑industry alliances •R
esponsible Music Tourism (LDC) from the sustainable
• Music Can Help Foster Responsible Tourists use of marine resources,
Standardise Climate including through sustainable
WHAT DO WE
Positive Processes management of fisheries,
NEED TO DO?
WHAT DO WE aquaculture and tourism.
•D
evelop Island Music
NEED TO DO? Tourism Plans
• Attach Public Funding
Requirements to
Climate Action
• Stop All Public
Investment In Firms Who
Do Not Take Action Photo: © Adobe Stock/oscity
WHAT TARGETS
WILL WE MEET
13.2 integrate climate GLOBAL GOAL #17
change measures Partnerships
into national policies,
strategies, and planning. HOW DOES MUSIC
13.3 improve education, GLOBAL GOAL #16 SUPPORT EACH SDG?
awareness raising and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions • Music is the Ultimate Partnership
human and institutional Tool In Cities and Places
capacity on climate change HOW DOES MUSIC
• Incorporate Music Policies and
mitigation, adaptation, SUPPORT EACH SDG?
Expertise Into SDG Offices
impact reduction, • Music Can Increase Wealth
Though Intellectual Property WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
and early warning.
Photo: © UN Photo/Martine Perret • Music Supports Rehabilitation, • Music Investment Must Feature In Recovery
Reconciliation and Harm Reduction • Create a Music and SDG
Global Observatory
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
GLOBAL GOAL #15 • Create a Global Music Development Bank
• Include Music Programs in All
Life On Land
Harm Reduction Strategies WHAT TARGETS WILL WE MEET
HOW DOES MUSIC SUPPORT EACH SDG? • Ensure Global Copyright Is Respected 17.3 mobilize additional financial
• Music Can Help Monitor Resource Tracking resources for developing countries
from multiple sources.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? 16.5 substantially reduce corruption
17.5 adopt and implement investment
• Crowdsource Life on Land Music Plans and bribery in all its forms.
promotion regimes for LDCs.
• Incentivise Life on Land Protection 16.7 ensure responsive, inclusive,
participatory and representative
decision‑making at all levels.
15.6 ensure fair and equitable sharing of the benefits
16.8 broaden and strengthen the
arising from the utilization of genetic resources, and
participation of developing countries in
promote appropriate access to genetic resources.
the institutions of global governance.

Where Do We Go 10 Key Actions for Individuals,
From Here? Cities, Governments, Civic
Institutions, NGOs and You:
I
t starts with one
5. Make events,
decision. One choice.
One conversation. touring and music
1. Develop national, production and
Next time you put a record regional and local
on, or press the spacebar its supply chain
music ecosystem, carbon positive.
on your computer to music tourism and
start a YouTube video, music cities policies.
think about the impact
that music can have
6. Ensure music
– on your life, your
is included in all
Photo: © Adobe Stock/lesapi

family, your community, 2. Support the health and social
your ecosystem. development of care policies.
This will take time, but we can cultural infrastructure
choose, right now, to use music and ensure it
to meet the Global Goals. And is distributed
to support this mindset shift and equally amongst 7. Establish music
turn us all into agents of change, all communities. and wellbeing policies
here is our top ten list. Start
and incorporate
here. Refer back to the guide. 10. Foster stronger
them into COVID
Join the SDG Music Network. partnerships across
recovery budgets.
Remember that you as an 3. Ensure all global the music and
individual have the power to copyright regulations non‑music industries.
create change. Speak to your are respected
colleagues, your elected officials, so artists and 8. Make music
your representatives. Use music
musicians get paid. education global, in
for the benefit that it is. We COVID-19 is not only
will all be better off if we do. all national, regional
a wake-up call. It is
and local curriculums
And in doing so, lead with also an opportunity. It
and available to
these 10 key actions. Each, if 4. Commit to gender has demonstrated how
all citizens. powerful a community
implemented, will make society equality, including
fairer, more equitable and is. How powerful and
more women and
wealthier. Each will ensure important our neighbours
under-represented can be. And how impactful
decisions are made on behalf
of everyone. Start now.
communities and 9. Promote inclusive music – as a unifier, as
Photo: © Adobe Stock/Burlingham
orientations on music access across an economy, as a human

and off-stage, in all genres and right – is for all of us. So
decision making disciplines to amplify what are you waiting for?
and at all levels. underrepresented
genres, genders,
cultures and voices.

Endnotes Footnotes
About the Authors The Conversation 1 https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.

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Global Goals/goal-1-no-poverty.html
17 h
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results-music-bradford
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This report was written by Shain Shapiro, goldman-sachs-predicts-music-industry-to- press-release/2020/10/07/covid-19-to- education/2017/oct/03/school-
PhD with the support of Paloma Medina and We’ve created the SDG Music Network within the
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Azucena Mico. It is published by the Center 3 https://www.GlobalGoals.org/ by-2021#:~:text=The%20COVID%2D19%20 37 https://journals.sagepub.com/
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27 https://www.classicfm.com/artists/ 49 h
ttps://news.wef.org/kicking-the-
to Caroline Petit for her patient and unending advice, to debut new music video”, retrieved
porcelain-throne-up-several-notches/
from https://www.kvrr.com/2018/10/26/ english-national-opera/singers-teaching-
to Tom Huston for introducing us to the power of fargo-police-department-to-debut-new- breathing-techniques-long-covid-sufferers/ 50 h
ttps://waterkeeper.org/news/7th-
the SDGs and to everyone who suggested edits, music-video/ (accessed 26.06.2019) 28 h
ttps://www.sounddiplomacy. annual-splash-event-series-
examples or solutions to include in this report. And 10 C
onstruction Rocks (2019), com/music-in-society presented-nationally-toyota/
“Latest”, retrieved from https:// 51 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
thank you to the Center for Music Ecosystems 29 h
ttps://www.healthline.com/health/
www.constructionrocks.com/ pregnancy/music-for-baby-in-womb entertainment-arts-48380605
advisory board and collaborator network and to (accessed 26.06.2019) 52 h
ttps://www.agreenerfestival.
30 https://nafme.org/20-important-
the Sound Diplomacy team, especially Azu Mico, 11 h
ttp://www.bridgesformusic.org/ benefits-of-music-in-our-schools/ com/wp-content/uploads/
Camila Anino, Noelle Nikkhah and Paloma Medina. 12 https://www.thesoundinitiative.com/ 31 h
ttp://topics.maydaygroup.org/
pdfs/StewDennyWater.pdf
13 https://en.unesco.org/ articles/2018/Karvelis_2018.pdf 53 h
ttps://www.vivaconagua.org/
creativity/convention 32 https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter. 54 https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/
14 https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/home org/the-power-of-music-education/ archiveofnews/2019/april/
headline_643297_en.html
15 h
ttps://www.uclg.org/en/media/news/ 33 https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.
culture-sustainable-development- org/the-power-of-music-education/
Global Goals-sdgs-guide-local-action 34 https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.
org/the-power-of-music-education/
102 103
55 https://www.theguardian.com/ 74 Ibid 96 https://www.tr.undp.org/content/turkey/
environment/2019/jun/04/theres- 75 https://majesticcollaborations. en/home/presscenter/articles/2019/07/
no-reason-why-this-couldnt-go- com/2019/09/13/art-of-mass- tuerkiye-nin-_lk-suerdueruelebilir-
global-australian-music-industry- gatherings-symposium/ muezik-festivali-festtogether.html
invests-in-solar-farms 97 https://www.redrocksonline.
76 https://www.inplaceofwar.net
56 https://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/ com/about/sustainability
77 https://performingartsreadiness.org/
projects/en/projects/eemusic 98 https://sdg.iisd.org/news/unep-
78 https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/
57 http://money.futureofmusic.org/40- reverb-engage-music-fans-in-climate-
home/news-centre/announcements/2017/
revenue-streams/?fbclid=IwAR2x4L mitigation-environmental-action/
localizing-Global Goals-music-art.html
q7YfNSgUFUuP9X5eHqD1oJDY-rJw- 99 https://www.frequency.at/
FKxsW3yayzBCduXtO-zg26MY 79 https://theconversation.com/music-
baeume-pflanzen/
streaming-has-a-far-worse-carbon-
58 https://www.ifpi.org/news/IFPI- 100 https://www.un.org/
footprint-than-the-heyday-of-records-
GLOBAL-MUSIC-REPORT-2019 sustainabledevelopment/peace-justice/
and-cds-new-findings-114944
59 http://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/ 101 https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.
80 Ibid
pages/infographics/music-streaming/ com/why-does-the-riaa-hate-
81 http://q4live.s22.clientfiles.s3-website-us-
60 https://www.bloomberg.com/ torrent-sites-so-much/
east-1.amazonaws.com/540910603/files/
news/features/2021-01-11/best- 102 https://journalofmusic.com/focus/2020-
doc_downloads/govDocs/2019/03/2018-
alternative-investments-to-buy-in- where-money-todays-music-world
Spotify-Sustainability-Report-FINAL.pdf
2021-whisky-music-rights-rewilding
82 http://www.clickclean.org/usa/en/ 103 https://journalofmusic.com/focus/2020-
61 https://www.backstage- where-money-todays-music-world
academy.co.uk/research 83 https://greenvinylrecords.com/
index.php/het-project-en-us/ 104 https://myanmar.un.org/en/22008-
62 h
ttps://www.musiciansunion.org. unic-yangon-intern-finding-link-
uk/Home/Advice/Playing-Live/Gigs- 84 https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/
between-music-and-Global Goals
and-Live-Entertainments/Fair-Play- news/taylor-gibson-martin-and-fen/
105 https://www.shoutoutuk.
Venues/Fair-Play-Venue-Database 85 https://www.insidermedia.com/
org/2019/08/09/the-power-of-drill-and-
63 https://www.thesoundinitiative.com/ news/south-west/bank-puts-
grime-music-to-reduce-knife-crime/
funds-into-eco-toilet-venture
64 https://www.forbes.com/sites/ 106 https://www.shoutoutuk.
bernardmarr/2019/07/05/the- 86 https://www.nme.com/news/
org/2017/11/16/popular-music-
amazing-ways-artificial-intelligence- music/festival-promoters-unite-
can-help-reduce-gang-violence/
is-transforming-the-music-industry/ to-fight-climate-change-with-new-
declareaction-initiative-2607236 107 https://apnews.com/
65 https://www.synchtank.com/ b7c5431cf2614fd1a18832e29417c70b/
blog/africas-perfect-storm-for- 87 https://greenvinylrecords.com/
Former-child-soldiers-help-
the-music-business-is-coming/ index.php/home-en-us/
Uganda's-rebel-abductees-heal
66 https://www.iq-mag.net/2019/01/ 88 https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/
108 http://www.cjcj.org/uploads/
africa-the-power-of-music/ billie-eilish-tour-bans-plastic-straws
cjcj/documents/brewster_prison_
67 https://www.npr.org/sections/ 89 https://www.waterkeeper.ca arts_final_formatted.pdf
codeswitch/2015/04/13/399414351/ 90 https://www.citylab.com/ 109 https://www.inplaceofwar.net
how-the-south-korean-government- life/2015/09/cue-up-a-water-
110 https://www.psypost.org/2018/06/
made-k-pop-a-thing conservation-playlist/407686/
study-high-self-esteem-linked-reduced-
68 http://magambanetwork.com/about/ 91 https://www.facebook.com/ likelihood-crime-delinquency-51608
69 https://www.strategy-business.com/ events/13-s-willson-ave-bozeman-mt-
111 https://www.jstor.org/stable/20071621
article/Why-Are-4-Billion-People- 59715-united-states/land-and-water-
without-the-Internet?gko=1ed7b conservation-fest/430038604382145/
70 https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2019/ 92 http://nileproject.org/
nov/arts-crucial-reducing-poor- 93 https://www.rcup.co.uk/
health-and-inequality
94 https://www.bristolonecity.com/wp-
71 Forbes Africa’s 50 Richest content/uploads/2019/02/One-City-Plan-
List, quoted in article Global Goals-and-the-UN-Sustainable-
72 https://www.unicef.org/kenya/ Development-Global Goals.pdf
overview_4616.html, quoted in article 95 https://togetherband.org/
73 h
ttps://kenya.oxfam.org/blog/ blogs/news/join-togetherband-
music-weapon-fight-inequality at-the-brazilian-coachella
104 105
Center for Music Ecosystems supports the Sustainable Development Goals
www.centerformusicecosystems.com/sdgs
106

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Cover Image: © Adobe Stock/JinnaritT

Photo: © UN Costa Rica

2020 demonstrated how

was violinists and choral

Italian balconies. widespread or written into every

Photo: © Adobe Stock/Bernard Bodo

Photo: © Adobe Stock/Anton Gvozdikov

How music impacts your city,

one’s life. While including talent. Music is also a tool

What is the goal?

EL SISTEMA in Venezuela has provided musical

MUSICIANS IN EXILE is a community project for

Reduce Poverty? relationships with asylum seeking musicians,

24 The SDGs The SDGs 25

Photo: © Adobe Stock/kuarmungadd

What is the goal?

can create civic opportunities WHICH TARGETS

Photo: © UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farran

STREAMING TO END FOOD POVERTY

Photo: © Adobe Stock/Rawpixel.com

IT CAN HELP US LIVE LONGER MUSIC AND SOCIETY POLICIES WORLDWIDE

THE NEW NOTE ORCHESTRA

ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA are teaching online

32 The SDGs The SDGs 33

Photo: © Adobe Stock/Monkey Business

INCREASED PERFORMANCE IN 4.4

What is the goal?

38 The SDGs The SDGs 39

How Can Music What Can We Do?

40 The SDGs The SDGs 41

What is the goal?

this, with some, including Live

44 The SDGs The SDGs 45

Photo: © Adobe Stock/Purple Moon

What Can We Do? 7.2

48 The SDGs The SDGs 49

Photo: © UN Photo/Kibae Park

For music to help promote economic growth and

Photo: © Panos/ Jeroen Oerlemans

Photo: © UN Photo/Martine Perret

52 The SDGs The SDGs 53

54 The SDGs The SDGs 55

56 The SDGs The SDGs 57

Where Has It Worked?

MUSIC FUSION, HAMPSHIRE UK

60 The SDGs The SDGs 61

Photo: © UN Photo/Kibae Park

From celebrating Mozart in Salzburg to the success

64 The SDGs The SDGs 65

Photo: © Adobe Stock/Jacob Lund

68 The SDGs The SDGs 69

What is the goal?

70 The SDGs The SDGs 71

Photo: © UN Photo/Logan Abassi

72 The SDGs The SDGs 73

74 The SDGs The SDGs 75

WATER CONSERVATION PLAYLIST

Photo: © UN Photo/Milton Grant

About the Authors The Conversation 1 https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.