Brussels, 19th February 2026

Today, IMPALA has released its third annual carbon calculator report, giving an overview of the independent sector’s carbon footprint and providing an update on the important developments made to the tool in 2025. Building on the initial reporting identified in the first report and the practical actions outlined in the second report, this third edition marks a significant step forward in creating the most accurate picture of emissions to date and ensuring alignment with current best practices.

Launched in 2022, the IMPALA Carbon Calculator is the first bespoke environmental impact measurement tool for the independent recorded music sector. Powered by Julie’s Bicycle, the calculator helps IMPALA’s members measure their carbon footprint with a standardised methodology that is aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) Corporate Standard, the most widely used framework for reporting organisational greenhouse gas emissions. The tool is supported by Merlin and Murmur as well as IMPALA’s EU network grant.

Key highlights from the new report include:

• Updates to the calculator:
  • Vinyl factors: This year’s report details a significant change to how vinyl manufacturing is measured in the IMPALA Carbon Calculator, following research by the Music Climate Pact and Vinyl Alliance.
  • Recording studios: Users can now select “Recording Studio” as a building type, allowing labels to record impacts from occupied or third-party studios.
  • Merchandise: The Beyond Carbon survey has been expanded to include a dedicated section on Merchandise to improve recording of environmental actions taken by labels.
  • User experience and new guidance sources: Improvements to the reporting journey enable labels to quickly access targeted guidance and generate high-quality visual reports that facilitate clear and accurate communication of progress.

• The Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund: The report highlights the ongoing partnership with Merlin, whose support through the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund has been instrumental in making the calculator accessible to a wider range of independent labels globally.

• Climate investment & business case: The report offers guidance on climate investment and organisations like Murmur, and outlines the “business case for sustainability“, demonstrating how resource efficiency and environmental transparency drive long-term commercial resilience.

• US pilot project: The outcomes of the pilot project, launched in the US together with A2IM and Merlin. The project marked the first step towards rolling-out IMPALA’s Carbon Calculator in the world’s biggest music market. It has also provided a pathway for future calculator adaptations in other key territories.
• Practical action & industry collaboration: A refreshed suite of practical tips helps labels move from data entry to carbon reduction, focusing on supply chain management and energy transitions, while also highlighting sector wide.

Richard Phillips, Music Lead at Julie’s Bicycle commented: “This third annual report of the IMPALA Carbon Calculator is a landmark moment for the independent recorded music industry. It provides the most accurate picture to date for the average emissions of an independent label. This follows important updates to how the impacts of vinyl manufacturing are measured, reflecting the latest research by the Music Climate Pact and Vinyl Alliance into lifecycle emissions of vinyl.

Air freight and business travel make up a larger percentage of the total footprint than previously estimated. While vinyl manufacturing remains the largest source of emissions, the results mean that a holistic sustainability strategy is required to tackle multiple areas head on. With the support of Julie’s Bicycle, the IMPALA Sustainability Programme will help labels build this in for long term success.”

Peter Quicke, Chair Ninja Tune, Chair of IMPALA’s Sustainability Task Force, added: “It’s great to be able to introduce updated vinyl factors as part of the ongoing process of improving the calculator. The independent sector is well positioned to drive the record industry’s transition, and this report provides the foundation to do just that. Our goal remains the same, to provide labels with guidance and tools that turn goals into practical action. We are very grateful for the support from Merlin through the Weidenmüller fund, which allows us to take a truly global approach to these challenges and shows the importance of industry action.”

Helen Smith, Executive Chair of IMPALA commented: “This third report is a testament to the independent sector’s commitment to long-term climate action. We have been able to further refine the calculator with updates to the vinyl factors and make other changes. This way, we are ensuring that our members have the most accurate data possible to make informed production decisions. Sustainability is no longer a peripheral issue, it is a core component of a modern music business. This report makes the business case clear: sustainability efforts matter to music fans. The support of our EU network grant, the Weidenmüller fund with Merlin and Murmur makes a huge difference to the sector’s work.” 

About the IMPALA Carbon Calculator
Launched in 2022, the IMPALA Carbon Calculator is the first bespoke environmental impact measurement tool for the independent recorded music sector, built with the support of the IMPALA membership and powered by the Julie’s Bicycle Creative Climate Tools platform. The Calculator helps IMPALA’s members measure their carbon footprint and identify hotspots to make members’ ambitions actionable, impactful, and scalable. It also helps collect information on how the independent music sector in Europe is taking environmental action Beyond Carbon. Thanks go to Merlin and the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund and Murmur for supporting the tool and all the IMPALA member companies and associations across Europe who helped raise the finances needed to get our calculator project off the ground. IMPALA’s EU network grant has also enabled the organisation to scale up its sustainability activities and provide further resources for its members across Europe.

About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA

About Julie’s Bicycle
Julie’s Bicycle is a pioneering not-for-profit organisation mobilising the arts and culture to take action on the climate and ecological crisis. Founded by the music industry in 2007 and now working across the arts and culture, Julie’s Bicycle has partnered with over 2000 organisations in the UK and internationally. Combining cultural and environmental expertise, Julie’s Bicycle focuses on high-impact programmes and policy change to meet the climate crisis head-on.