New Julies Bicycle research shows green gains from digital promos

Switching to digital delivery of music promotional releases across the independent music sector would save 1,525 tonnes of CO₂ annually – a reduction of 86% - new research conducted by Julie’s Bicycle on behalf of AIM and BPI has revealed. Detailed research undertaken by music industry environmental initiative Julie’s Bicycle estimates that the manufacture, packaging and transport of promo CDs by AIM and BPI indie members total 1,686 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to three times the annual energy, water and waste emissions of a large performance arena.The research follows the work undertaken by AIM following the “10 BIG IDEAS” session at the anniversary of its 10^th AGM in July 2009. Reducing the number of physical CD promos was pinpointed as one of the winning ideas to emerge.  Working closely with independent labels and three digital solution providers, Soundcloud, Fastrax and FATdrop, Julie’s Bicycle undertook an analysis of the promotional market which showed that in 2009 digital promos accounted for almost a quarter of promotional material delivered, with 9,000 files being distributed digitally compared to 25,000 physical CDs.  The subsequent evaluation of the value chain from promo production to end-user calculated the carbon footprint of a promotional CD to be 649g CO₂ compared to 62g CO₂ produced by a digital file, thereby demonstrating the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to be achieved from a change of distribution model. In a bid to embed sustainability across the industry, the report further recommends a shift away from the traditional jewel case to lower carbon packaging and calls on the industry to place a greater emphasis on recycling material no longer suitable for use.You can download the full report at www.juliesbicycle.com