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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil is set to kick off today, Monday, November 10, 2025, the latest report from KPOP4PLANET states that the K-pop industry is still lagging in sustainable concert practices. Entitled Low Carbon K-pop Concerts: Singing Together for Our Future, the report is part of the "K-pop Carbon Hunters" campaign inspired by the popular Korean series, K-pop Demon Hunters.Through the campaign, fans are urging the K-pop industry to align its global influence with tangible actions by implementing low-carbon K-pop concerts. The recent report evaluates how five leading K-pop companies—CJ ENM, HYBE, JYP, SM, and YG—are addressing climate issues. It also draws comparisons to international artists such as Coldplay, Billie Eilish, and Massive Attack, who have demonstrated the feasibility of low-carbon concerts.According to the report, although some companies have mentioned low-carbon concerts, there are no specific targets or timelines for reducing measurable emissions from sustainable concerts for using renewable energy. YG Entertainment is mentioned as the only major company to have published a sustainability report, following BLACKPINK's appointment as COP26 ambassadors in 2021. However, it focuses on the commitment to transition to new sustainable concerts by 2030."As ambassadors of COP26, BLACKPINK has already inspired many BLINKs (BLACKPINK fans) to care about the environment and the climate crisis. We hope that the next Blackpink concert can be held with low carbon emissions, as BLACKPINK says, 'Climate Action in Your Area!'" said Jevon Christian, leader of the BLINK Official Indonesia fanbase, in a written statement on Monday, November 10, 2025.K-pop fans continue to surge, with an estimated 75 million fans worldwide by 2023, as groups like BTS and BLACKPINK embark on international tours. However, their contributions to carbon emissions have also increased. Research by the UK non-profit organization Julie's Bicycle estimates that about 73 percent of music industry emissions come from concerts or live performances, equivalent to the carbon emissions of around 92,000 cars per year.Nunik, KPOP4PLANET Indonesia's Climate Ambassador and leader of the My Day Jars Social Project fanbase, states that the increasingly frequent natural disasters should serve as a warning of the worsening climate crisis. "Low-carbon concerts are a way for the K-pop industry to demonstrate its commitment to the future of K-pop, our planet, and future generations," she added, saying, "Concert organizers should start listening to our voices (fans) who want our idol concerts to be held more sustainably."Supported by the Music Sustainability Alliance, Julie's Bicycle, and Music Declares Emergency, this report calls for the adoption and standardization of low-carbon K-pop concerts across the industry. It highlights best practices for K-pop companies, including measuring and disclosing emissions across concert areas, setting clear carbon emission reduction plans, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, using musician platforms to strengthen climate messages, eliminating single-use plastic and improving waste management, and minimizing emissions related to travel starting from musicians, crew, and audiences."We once lived in a world without idol live performances during the pandemic - we will not let the climate crisis make us experience it again," said Nayeon Kim, KPOP4PLANET's Campaigner in South Korea. She also emphasized her belief that K-pop has the power to lead. "KPOP4PLANET is a climate organization for and by K-pop fans who love the Earth and K-pop idols," she urged.Editor's Choice: Climate Justice Alliance Slams Indonesia's Carbon Trading Focus at COP30Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
