Music Sustainability Alliance Launches MSA Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards

The Music Sustainability Alliance has announced the launch of the MSA Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards, a new annual honor to recognize individuals and organizations in music who are advancing environmental responsibility and climate action. The inaugural awards will be presented at MSA’s 2026 Music Sustainability Summit, taking place April 14 at Solotech Studios in Los Angeles. 

Bob Weir, the co-founder and guitarist of the Grateful Dead who died in January at age 78, spent decades advocating for the environment, including speaking out about conservation and land stewardship. An announcement from MSA notes that the musician’s commitment to the environment over the decades included “benefit concerts, community-driven touring, and participation in events such as the Rainforest Benefit Concert, he consistently encouraged the music world to consider its impact on the environment. His work has included support for organizations such as WhyHunger, HeadCount, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), reflecting a broad commitment to environmental and social responsibility.”  

Weir, who partnered with nonprofits including REVERB, also co-founded the Furthur Foundation, to support environmental protection, regenerative agriculture, and community resilience.  

The SA Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards are being presented with the support of his family and will celebrate leaders in the live industry who are helping the music business reduce its environmental footprint and expand its positive impact. 

“Bobby always strived to leave nothing but bare footprints on the Earth. If it was helpful to the planet, animals, or others, it was always a yes for him,” the Weir family said in a statement. “He spent decades encouraging the music world to consider its impact on the land, the climate, and future generations. We appreciate the opportunity to support MSA as it recognizes leaders carrying that spirit forward.”

MSA co-founder and CEO Amy Morrison added: “Bobby Weir has long demonstrated  how music can inspire care for the planet, and we’re honored to have the support of the Weir family to recognize the innovators and leaders transforming  the music industry and turn that spirit into real environmental progress. We hope the awards will shine a spotlight on the people across the music ecosystem who are proving that sustainability and creativity can move forward together.”

Nominations for the awards are being solicited from the MSA community, which includes artists, venues, crews, vendors, labels, promoters, managers, platforms, and others, along with the Weir family and other close-in partners. The judging committee selecting the honorees includes a Weir family representative; Joel Makower, Trellis Group (formerly GreenBiz) Chairman; Rev Lennox Yearwood Jr., President & CEO, Hip Hop Caucus; Kurt Langer, MSA Board Member; and Amy Morrison MSA CEO and co-founder. 

This week’s announcement explains that nominees will be evaluated based on the impact, influence, and innovation of their work, as well as commitment to advancing sustainability across the music industry through education, collaboration and measurable action.

Topics covered at the upcoming Music Sustainability Summit include reducing the emissions of fan travel; developing zero-waste strategies for festivals; sustainable materials for musical instruments; decarbonizing backstage and logistics; sustainability in small and mid-sized venues; putting sustainability on the foodservice menu; music’s impact on culture and climate; and “how to think about AI and Sustainability.”

Visit musicsustainability.org for more information about the Music Sustainability Alliance and to register for the summit.

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