BMG has become the first major music company to announce the offsetting of all of its global site and employee-related greenhouse gas emissions as it pursues carbon neutrality.

In line with parent company Bertelsmann’s strong commitment to the environment, BMG has evaluated the global carbon footprint of its operating business and is defining a long-term strategy to avoid, reduce, and offset CO2 emissions.

While in this process, BMG has offset the over 3,000 tons of CO2 produced in 2019. The offsetting involves BMG investing in Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS) certified climate protection projects such as the reforestation of degraded land in Campo Grande, Brazil. It takes the yearly growth of around 42,000 trees to offset the impact of BMG’s carbon footprint.

BMG COO Ben Katovsky said: “BMG is unique in the music industry in defining itself first and foremost by its commitment to its values – fairness, transparency and service. Being committed to fairness means being fair not just to your clients and your staff, but also to the planet. Offsetting our operating business is a big step forward for BMG en route towards carbon neutrality.”

BMG’s VP Global Digital Partnerships & Strategy and member of Bertelsmann’s group-wide environmental initiative “be green”, Christopher Ludwig, said: “We have already made significant progress, but there is still a lot more to do. We look forward to working with the local BMG teams around the world on our ambitious plan to become the first carbon-neutral major music company.”

BMG is currently in the process of collecting data to fully tabulate its carbon footprint for 2020. The company’s 2021 sustainability measures to actively reduce its carbon footprint include switching all offices to 100 percent green electricity, further improving their energy efficiency, and implementing alternative mobility concepts. The remaining emissions will be offset.

BMG’s next step is to work with suppliers to further reduce emissions in manufacturing and distribution across the physical and digital supply chains.