How sustainability can unlock wider benefits for music groups

In December 2025 we hosted the latest webinar in our series of Climate Network events, in which we discussed and discovered how leisure-time music groups can be more sustainable and reduce their environmental impact.

This time we were joined by the winners of the 2025 Making Music Green Award The Phoenix Voices who walked us through their exemplary policy and group initiatives. Harriet Laidler, Project and Events Manager at Making Music, and one third of our sustainability team, shares thoughts inspired by the discussion on how implementing sustainable policy can ripple out into other positive effects.
 

I have been reflecting on many of the thought-provoking discussions that were had during our recent climate network, and so I wanted to share some of the things that stood out to me and made me re-evaluate how we can approach the challenges of climate change. 

We were delighted to have been joined by passionate representatives from a diverse range of Making Music groups, from promoters to vocal and instrumental ensembles of all sizes. This included Kris Emmett and Gail Beaver from The Phoenix Voices, the winners of the 2025 Making Music Green Award, who came to speak about their sustainability policy and what they have done to make their group an eco choir.

Everyone was blown away with their level of detail, commitment and, crucially, were able to see aspects of the policy that could be applied to their own groups. What really stood out for me was that their experience of moving towards better environmental sustainability actually brought an abundance of other positive impacts. Of course, protecting the planet that we live on is paramount to sustainability goals, but all too often the conversation around climate action is one focused on ‘what has got to give’ -the idea that in order to make climate friendly choices there are always sacrifices. Whilst there is no denying that many cases necessitate making sacrifices, this discussion made me realise that we don’t often talk enough about what else there is to gain from implementing sustainable policy!

For example, using the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guideline for their sustainability policy gave The Phoenix Voices an opportunity to also strengthen how their musical activities positively benefit the physical and mental health conditions of their members, as well as the group’s access and inclusion practices, both of which have resulted in further positive impacts for the choir.

They also spoke about how embarking on this journey has resulted in a much stronger, and mutually beneficial, relationship between the choir and their regular rehearsal venue after they supported the church with it’s toilet twinning campaign. The saying ‘you get what you give’ feels fitting here!

Most people took part in the webinar because they feel strongly about taking action towards climate change and were hoping to get advice on how to encourage their groups towards doing the same. We discussed the challenges of feeling like you are just one small voice struggling to be heard in a larger committee, and how to continue pushing when you are being met with resistance.

While there was plenty of moments of frustration shared, the conversation rounded off by being met with encouragement and optimism, in no small part thanks to the example demonstrated by The Phoenix Voices - that all you have to do is start. By finding one other person in your group that shares sustainable values, you can form an alliance and start making changes happen.

And finally, as it often does, the conversation came round to how music groups can use the voices and influence they have in their local communities to educate and encourage change. It was great to hear from Budleigh Music Festival about how they are planning to incorporate environmental themes into their outreach work with young people. A good reminder that there is always something leisure time music groups can do!

I hope this has given you as much food for thought as it did for us. If you are interested in hearing the full conversation you can watch the full sustainability webinar here.