SAN FRANCISCO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) – Live Nation San Francisco, the Bay Area office of the prominent live music company, announced today an environmental pilot program which is expected to result in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and waste generated by its six owned and/or operated Bay Area venues and its over one million fans who attend its events each year. The participating venues include Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View, Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord, The Fillmore, The Warfield, Punchline Comedy Club and Cobbs Comedy Club.
Michael Rapino, Chief Executive Officer of Live Nation commented, "Our team in San Francisco has taken some important first steps in addressing the environmental issues that face the live music business. The lessons we learn in San Francisco will undoubtedly guide our global environmental strategy moving forward."
Live Nation San Francisco, in consultation with California Environmental Associates, has implemented several new initiatives which it expects to positively impact the environment in the following ways:
1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Live Nation SF intends to (i) provide upgraded parking for hybrid vehicles and cars with four or more passengers in special lots at both Shoreline Amphitheatre and Sleep Train Pavilion to encourage fans to reduce their own carbon emissions and (ii) purchase carbon offset credits to compensate for 100% of greenhouse gas emissions from concert fans’, employees’ and artists’ travel to and from Live Nation SF events.
2. Conserve energy and water: Live Nation SF will seek to reduce its power consumption by 10% by installing energy-saving lighting, and to reduce water use by up to five million gallons per year by installing an Evapo lawn care system, upgrading kitchen equipment and making other improvements identified in energy audits of Live Nation SF facilities.
3. Reduce waste: Live Nation SF expects to increase the percentage of overall waste which is recycled by 20% by installing more recycling bins at venues and offices. Live Nation SF has also begun a multi-year composting initiative to turn discarded food and other “green” waste into valuable fertilizer.
4. Reduce environmental impact: Live Nation SF intends to use eco-friendly cleaning products and paper products made from 95% recyclables.
5. Increase audience and artist awareness: Live Nation SF expects to inform its over one million annual fans about how they can make a difference through Live Nation Eco-Alerts via e-mail and at its venues. Live Nation SF is currently working with programs such as Greenmuseum.org, Clean Fuel Caravan and Friends of the Urban Forest to set up tables at its events where they can distribute literature and educate the public.
Lee Smith, Chairman of Live Nation SF, commented, "This company has supported numerous worthy causes over the years, and we are now involving ourselves in a generational fight against climate change. Energy efficiency, renewable energy, greenhouse gas offsets, recycling and local, organic food are key parts of a solution, but nothing’s more important than being more conscious of how we conduct our daily lives. Live Nation San Francisco is addressing how we do business by embarking on a long journey toward sustainability. In so doing, we hope to convince artists, audiences and fellow promoters to join us on this path."
Adam Gardner, Guster guitarist/vocalist and co-founder of Reverb, an environmental non-profit organization that advises Live Nation and artists on green touring and facilitates fan outreach, said, "It’s exciting and encouraging to see such a thoughtful and concerted effort from Live Nation San Francisco to lessen the impact of its venues on climate change."
The changes listed above are the first steps to a greener Live Nation San Francisco. A complete outline of the Live Nation San Francisco greening strategy is posted online here. Live Nation has posted a feedback form on the website where fans can submit their own ideas for a “greener” Live Nation. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
