22.04.25. In a world where music is more accessible than ever, most of us don’t think twice before hitting play on our favourite songs. UK Music’s Head of Public Affairs Hannah McLennan asks, how do you stop your daily soundtrack adding to the climate crisis? 

Today we celebrate Earth Day 2025, where the theme is Our Power, Our Planet. This centres on the importance of renewable energy and encourages tripling global clean electricity generation by 2030. The event, which marks its 55th anniversary, aims to unite individuals, businesses, governments, and the private sector to protect the environment.  

The good news is that in 2025, renewable energy sources make up a significant proportion of the electricity mix that powers UK homes and businesses. The UK is well on its way to creating an electricity system that is wholly based on renewable and carbon-free sources, with the current government setting new targets to reach net-zero. 

Plus, it is easier than ever to switch to renewable energy in the home or office, by going with a provider which prioritises its green credentials such as Octopus Energy, Ecotricity or Good Energy.  

But while we’re making progress on the grid, our digital habits are growing and so is the invisible energy demand behind them. 

Since the early 2000s, music consumption has transformed. CDs and downloads have given way to Digital Streaming Platforms (DSPs), which now account for 69% of total global recorded music revenue, according to IFPI. Spotify alone has over 675 million users worldwide, making it the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service. And while streaming feels immaterial, each song played triggers a cascade of energy use, from data centres and cloud storage to the devices we listen on, all of which need regular charging. 

The exact environmental footprint of streaming is hard to measure, but some estimates put it as high as 350 million kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions per year. Much of that depends on how the underlying infrastructure is powered. And while some platforms report that they have shifted to renewable-powered servers, the overall picture remains uncertain. 

In an increasingly eco-conscious world, many music fans are starting to question the environmental cost of streaming and are looking for ways to make their listening habits more sustainable. 

Last year, as part of my MSc in Environment and Sustainability at Birkbeck, I undertook qualitative research with music fans and industry experts to delve further in to this topic. We talked about listening habits, knowledge of the environmental impact of streaming, and where responsibility for change should lie.  

One thing was certain: the average fan doesn’t want to give up music, or listen less, but they do want options that are better for the planet. 

Most people I spoke to used Spotify, often out of habit or because of personalised features like Spotify Radio or Spotify Wrapped. One of the most popular ideas that came from my research was a climate-conscious version of Spotify Wrapped: a section showing your listening footprint, paired with suggestions to reduce it. Some even proposed an “eco-score” to celebrate users who make low-impact choices and reward them with content from their favourite artists. 

There was also discussion about whether platforms should remove songs that receive less than 100 streams. According to Luminate’s 2024 report, this applies to 140.9 million tracks currently uploaded to DSPs. While the idea divided opinion, many agreed that any decisions around removing zero or low-stream tracks must be made in consultation with both artists and fans. This will be important in ensuring platforms support creativity without reinforcing inequality in the industry. 

AI’s accelerating growth is raising fresh environmental concerns. UK Music has written extensively about the impact Government changes to copyright could have on the music industry. It’s worth remembering that these tools rely on constant computation and server power. AI’s energy demands are often overlooked, but the processing behind large language models and machine learning systems significantly increases a platform’s digital footprint.  

The rise of TikTok as a discovery platform also came up. For many young people, TikTok is now their main source for finding new music. But video streaming is even more energy-intensive than audio, and DSPs are beginning to integrate more video features by default, with no current options to disable video play on many popular DSPs. As video and audio increasingly blur, this feels like a growing area to keep an eye on, both for its cultural influence and its environmental impact. 

Still, I came away from these conversations feeling optimistic. Fans care. Creators care. The appetite for action is there. But change needs to be easy, accessible and built into the platforms we already use, so making climate-friendly choices becomes the default. 

Music has always played a role in social movements, and it can be just as powerful in the fight against climate change. From sustainable touring to educational pop-ups and climate-conscious product design, there are countless ways the industry can make a difference.  

Not sure where to start? Here are five things my research found music fans could do to support a greener future. 

1. Charge with clean energy
   Switch to a renewable electricity provider at home especially if it’s where you charge your phone, laptop, or speaker. It’s one of the simplest ways to cut your digital carbon footprint. 
2. Download your most-played music
   If you listen to the same songs often, download them to your device. This is thought to save energy by avoiding repeated data transfers from servers, meaning you also save your device battery. 
3. Buy second-hand and make devices last
   Stick with your tech for longer, buy refurbished if you can, and repair instead of replacing. It reduces electronic waste and carbon emissions. 
4. Support eco-conscious artists and labels
   Choose to buy music directly from artists or platforms that prioritise sustainability or even ship locally. Some acts also release limited vinyl or merch made with lower-impact materials.  
5. Email your MP
   Call on your local MP to push for stronger green tech regulation and support renewable infrastructure in your local area. 

Hannah McLennan completed her MSc in Environment and Sustainability at Birkbeck, University of London, graduating with distinction in 2024. This article draws on findings from her dissertation Understanding the Environmental Impact of Music Streaming: What Can Policymakers, Platforms and the Public Do About It?  

To learn more or request further information, contact hannah.mclennan@ukmusic.org.