‘Carbon neutral’ rock? Coldplay say band won’t tour until they can ensure concerts are ‘environmentally sustainable’

Coldplay have put the brakes on plans to tour their new album, apparently over fears that their concerts might hasten a climate crisis. The group’s frontman has said he wants their performances to be eco-friendly.

“We’re taking time over the next year or two, to work out how our tour can not only be sustainable [but] how can it be actively beneficial,” lead singer Chris Martin told the BBC on Thursday.

He said that overcoming the environmental impact of air travel would prove difficult, but that the group hopes to organize a “largely solar-powered” tour that is free from “single-use plastic.”

According to Martin, Coldplay want to champion “carbon-neutral” concerts.

The band will still make several appearances to promote their new album, ‘Everyday Life.’ Two concerts will be held in Jordan, and the group will also participate in a charity gig at London’s National History Museum, with all proceeds going to the environmental charity ClientEarth.

In July, Martin and his rock group performed at Google’s annual 'meeting of the minds,' held at a luxurious seaside resort in Sicily. The conference reportedly focused on issues surrounding climate change.

The news that Coldplay won’t be touring for environmental reasons was met with mixed reactions on social media. Some applauded the decision as progressive.

But not everyone was so impressed. One Twitter user sarcastically remarked that not having Coldplay perform would be a noted improvement to “any environment.”

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