Show Must Go On Report and Green Event Code of Practice – published by Vision for Sustainable Events – have been acknowledged as cornerstones of sustainable sector growth in the Government’s New Music Plan.
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, has officially announced the Government’s bold new music plan, July 13th 2026. This landmark policy sets out a long-term vision to unleash the potential of the UK’s music ecosystem, fuelling a new era of creativity, driving sustainable growth, and ensuring the UK continues to inspire the world as a global music powerhouse.
Vision for Sustainable Events Chair, Christopher Johnson, states:
“This has been a very positive and collaborative process with the DCMS/government – it’s profoundly helpful that climate leadership across the live outdoor sector has been recognised. Efforts toward consistency and collaboration are being recognised with the endorsement of the Green Code of Practice, which will help momentum to achieve the aims in the Climate Transition Plan 2030.”
The ten point action plan includes social and environmental impact: Harnessing the power of music as a force for good, with a sustainability focused section: “Industry climate-action and new industry standards”. The report states:
‘Live events and festival organisers are demonstrating significant leadership in the move towards Net Zero, serving as testing grounds for climate-positive technologies and sustainable behaviour change. To accelerate this momentum and drive nationwide consistency, the government recognises the Green Events Code of Practice as the leading industry standard.
Industry’s latest Show Must Go On report outlines a route map to halve emissions by 2030. While operators can achieve a 37% reduction through onsite changes like renewable energy and waste reduction, a 13% gap remains. Closing this gap will require government and industry collaboration on issues such as grid connectivity and sustainable transport.’
The report also acknowledges The Creative Power Pilot, a public-private partnership involving the West of England Combined Authority, Bristol City Council, and the UN-affiliated ACT 1.5 project, which is piloting a dedicated clean power hub providing renewable mobile power to 19 major festivals and various film shoots.
In the wider music sector, initiatives such as the Music Climate Pact have been recognised. UK Music and Julie’s Bicycle, along with other creative industry members of the Creative Industries Council, have also endorsed the world’s-first Creative Climate Charter designed to galvanise action on the climate and biodiversity crisis.
Key highlights from the Plan include:
A £45million Music Growth Package, delivering a £15 million boost via Arts Council England, set to champion over 2,000 projects and empower 40,000 creatives throughout the next three years.
Music in Libraries Initiative: Utilising £12.5 million in dormant asset funding, we will reimagine our local libraries as vibrant hubs for music, featuring accessible studios and recording spaces.
Live Music Deregulation: To provide greater security for our festivals, we are streamlining licensing by extending TENs durations and introducing more robust three-to-five-year license options.
You can read a full shorthand explainer of the music plan here.
The complete press notice is online here with all the details of the announcement.
Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE said:
“The UK has one of the most vibrant live music sectors anywhere in the world. Every week, thousands of artists, venues, festivals, promoters, and crews come together to create experiences for millions of fans. This makes a significant contribution to our economy, culture, and communities.
It’s very encouraging to see the government recognising the importance of music in the UK Music Plan. We must continue to back every part of the live music ecosystem, from grassroots venues and emerging artists through to the arenas, stadiums, and festivals that showcase British talent to the world.
LIVE Trust is a fine example of what can be achieved when the industry comes together for the greater good. Artists, promoters, and audiences are already helping generate millions of pounds to support the grassroots sector, and we’ve received over six million pledges since LIVE Trust was introduced in January 2025. By continuing to work in partnership, government and industry can ensure the UK remains the best place in the world to discover, develop, and experience live music.”