National Assembly Officially Discusses Standardization for Low-Carbon K-Pop Concerts... Focus on BLACKPINK and Coldplay Cases

The National Assembly has decided to aggressively promote environmentally friendly K-Pop concerts. On the 2nd, a discussion forum titled “Strategies for Establishing Carbon-Neutral Guidelines for Performances and Events to Standardize Low-Carbon K-POP Concerts” was held at the National Assembly Member’s Office in Yeouido, Seoul. This marked the first parliamentary forum dedicated to reducing carbon emissions from K-Pop concerts. The forum was jointly organized by Park Soo-hyun, Min Hyung-bae, Kim Kyo-heung, Son Sol, Kim Seung-soo, Lee Ki-heon, Kim Jae-won, and Cho Gye-won, members of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, along with the climate advocacy group KPOP 4 PLANET. Park Soo-hyun emphasized that “in an era of climate crisis, it is urgent to establish a ‘low-carbon performance’ system for K-Pop to strengthen its global leadership.” KPOP 4 PLANET defined a “low-carbon concert” as one in which carbon emissions across all stages of the event are measured and made public, carbon reduction plans are developed in advance, and renewable energy is utilized. The core goal is to effectively reduce carbon emissions generated throughout the entire process of concert preparation and execution, including stage equipment operation, artist and fan transportation, and waste disposal. Additionally, YG Entertainment calculated the carbon footprint of BLACKPINK’s concerts in 2023 by considering factors such as audience transportation methods. This contrasts with international examples. Kurt Langer, director of the Music Sustainability Association (MSA) in the United States, noted that Coldplay conducted its concert in South Korea in April using low-carbon methods, explaining that “battery systems have advanced to a level comparable to traditional fossil fuel-based systems, and flexible panels such as solar paint have been developed, allowing them to be easily installed and removed during world tour concerts.” Grammy-winning songwriter Billie Eilish also practices low-carbon performances. Langer stated that “adopting low-carbon technologies is not just an ethical decision but a business strategy that brings positive business outcomes,” adding that “with advancements in technologies such as smart grids and artificial intelligence, the market for renewable energy-based performances will expand further.” At the forum, Live Nation Korea shared its experience managing Coldplay’s environmentally friendly concert in South Korea, while Confetti presented real-world examples of waste reduction by using biodegradable materials. The Climate Society Institute cited the carbon-neutral practices at France’s Palace of Versailles as a model for South Korea’s cultural and arts industry. France has been pursuing sustainable development plans for public services and public buildings since 2008, with notable efforts including replacing heating systems in Versailles from heavy oil and gas to heat pumps and switching lighting to LED bulbs. KPOP 4 PLANET has been conducting an online petition titled “K-Pop Carbon Hunters ft. Concert” since the 4th of last month, and as of December 2nd, over 7,600 people had signed it. The organization plans to use this parliamentary forum as a starting point to demand that the government and local authorities develop guidelines for low-carbon performances and provide institutional support.