Music Climate Pact Partners with Deezer to Publish 10 Easy Tips for More Sustainable Music Streaming

The Music Climate Pact has teamed up with music streaming service Deezer to publish Sound Choices, a best practice guide on how music fans can reduce the impact streaming has on the environment without lessening the listening experience.

The top 10 easy tips have been developed by the Music Climate Pact’s Digital Working Group based on researched best practice. With just a few easy modifications in the way that fans discover music online through personal devices, the impact music listening has on the environment can be reduced without diluting the sonic experience.

The Sound Choices tips are part of a range of important initiatives that Music Climate Pact Signatories and Supporters have been collectively working on over the past 24 months to identify and act on opportunities for the recorded music sector to reduce the environmental impact of the industry and beyond. These are outlined in the Music Climate Pact’s Annual Report for 2026, which can be found here.

‘Sound Choices’:  10 easy tips for more sustainable music streaming

1. Hold on to your devices for longer: Delay your next upgrade. Purchase refurbished tech. Repair rather than replace when possible. 
2. Switch to a renewable energy provider at home: Look up green energy suppliers in your area. Ask your landlord about switching.
3. Opt for audio-only streaming (when video isn’t needed): When possible, use platforms or settings that allow audio-only playback, and disable video, especially when you are listening rather than watching.
4. Avoid using multiple devices simultaneously: Choose one “main” device for listening and disconnect others.
5. Reduce screen brightness and battery usage: Use the app in dark mode, listen with the screen off or enable battery saving settings while listening.
6. Limit data use and choose lower audio quality when possible: Select “standard” or “low” quality for non-critical listening, use data saving mode if available, turn off autoplay and avoid AI-powered features when not needed (e.g. DJ, Mix, and Ask For).
7. Download music at home on Wi-Fi (not using mobile data): Pre-load your favourite albums or playlists on Wi-Fi before heading out. Use offline mode on your streaming service when on the move.
8. Make music listening intentional, close apps when not in use: Reduce background use, be mindful of autoplay, use a sleep timer and close apps and devices when not listening.  Consider a ‘music hour’ to really enjoy an album in full.
9. Download music instead of streaming repeatedly: If you play the same album more than three times a week, it’s worth downloading it.
10. Review your settings regularly: Adjust as many settings as you can on your streaming service and device. Disable unnecessary push notifications, limit AI functions, etc. Set reminders to check settings.

Launched in 2021, the Music Climate Pact is a global platform initiated by AIM and BPI as a response to COP26 and the urgent call for collective action to combat the climate crisis. WIN has been a supporter of the pact since its launch in December 2021 along with A2IM, IMPALA and labels of the independent community AnjunaBeats, Beggars, BMG, Brownswood Recordings, Full Time Hobby, !K7 Music, Ninja Tune, Partisan Records, Secretly Group and Warp Records.