Renewable fuels take Coldplay around the world

Neste will provide Coldplay with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help reduce emissions from air travels, while the company’s renewable diesel will help cut emissions from the band’s tour transports and stage power generation.

In 2019, Coldplay pressed pause on their touring until it could be done in a more sustainable way. To achieve its ambition for more sustainable touring, Coldplay has explored e.g., lower-emission alternatives to power aircraft, power generators and road vehicles necessary for a successful world tour. Sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel proved the best option for these.

As the leading producer and supplier of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel globally, Neste is uniquely positioned to supply Coldplay with the necessary volume of renewable fuels – produced from 100% renewable raw materials, such as used cooking oil – to reduce emissions from the North American and European legs of the Music Of The Spheres World Tour.

Neste helps Coldplay work towards reducing touring-related carbon emissions with Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which can reduce carbon emissions on flights by up to 80% when compared to conventional jet fuel use. Coldplay will also use Neste MY Renewable Diesel for the trucks transporting the band’s equipment from one concert location to another during the tour.

Neste’s renewable diesel will be additionally used in stationary power generators, creating renewable, low-emission electricity for the concert. Coldplay will use Neste’s renewable diesel on stage or in the logistics in altogether seven Coldplay concerts in the US and in 22 concerts in Europe. It is estimated that with Neste-produced renewable diesel and SAF, Coldplay will be able to reduce their tour transport related carbon footprint during the North American and European legs of the tour by around 50%.

“We're really happy to partner with Neste to make our Music Of The Spheres World Tour as sustainable as possible. Their low-emission renewable fuels will play a major part in our efforts to minimise the tour’s climate impact,” Coldplay says.

“We’ve tried to put sustainability at the centre of this tour because it just feels like the only option,” says Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

“Coldplay is one of the world's most popular touring bands, and their ambition to make their Music Of The Spheres World Tour as sustainable as possible is extremely inspiring. The world needs these kinds of changemakers to lead the way towards a more sustainable future,” says Minna Aila, Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Corporate Affairs and member of the Neste Executive Committee at Neste. “We at Neste are excited and proud to join forces with Coldplay to help reduce emissions from their world tour concerts and tour-related transports with our renewable fuels.”

Renewable fuels reducing transportation emissions globally

Neste has been developing renewable solutions to tackle the rising climate emissions for over two decades. Over that time, Neste has been transforming from a regional oil refiner in Finland towards becoming the industry’s first and only company with production facilities on three continents and capability to supply renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and renewable feedstock for the polymers and chemicals sector globally. Neste’s proprietary NEXBTL refining technology enables it to process low-quality waste and residues into renewable products. The company’s annual production capacity of 3.3 million tons (1.14 billion gallons) of high-quality renewable fuels and other renewable products will be increased to 4.5 million tons (1.56 billion gallons) in early 2023, and it is expected to increase further to 5.5 million tons (1.9 billion gallons) by the end of 2023.

“While many solutions to combat climate change are still in early stages of development, Neste’s renewable fuels are already available and widely used by cities and municipalities, companies, airlines, consumers – and now even by Coldplay, one of the most popular bands in the world – to reduce their transport-related carbon footprint. We hope their example inspires many others to start doing what they can to create a healthier planet for our children,” concludes Minna Aila from Neste.