Photo Credit: Chloe Weir

Today, the Music Sustainability Alliance (MSA), a music industry organization created to transmit, educate, and promote acceptance and adoption of sustainability practices among artists and community members, has announced the inaugural MSA Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards. The first-time honors will be presented at the 2026 Music Sustainability Summit (MSS26) on Tuesday, April 14, in Los Angeles. 

The parameters of the MSA Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards center on annual honorees, either persons or organizations that have made a concerted effort to advance sustainability and challenge climate change by embracing greener touring initiatives and active efforts that reduce their carbon footprint while traveling from stop to stop. 

The award, named after the late Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist and six-decade steward of climate action, Bobby Weir, recognizes his massive contributions to the environment and to other change-making initiatives, including the Rainforest Benefit Concert, WhyHunger, HeadCount, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Additionally, Weir helped activate the Further Foundation and partnered with REVERB, channeling his career into an exemplary action-oriented enterprise. 

“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,” says the Weir family. “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.”

“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,” said MSA co-founder and CEO Amy Morrison. “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.”

In addition to the launch news, nominees for the inaugural title are as follows: 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. According to the press release, “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.”

Nominees will be considered based on their impact, influence, and innovation in advancing sustainability practices across the music industry. Beyond the awards, MSS26 will spotlight the urgency of change, community breakthrough, and other potent topics during the Los Angeles-based summit. Scroll down for a list of confirmed speakers. 

For more information, visit www.musicsustainability.org/summit. 

Confirmed 2026 speakers: Lindsay Arell, Legends Global; Maggie Baird, Support+Feed; David Beame, Global Citizen; Kelly Brennan-Kleyn, KBK Management; Jamal Chalabi, Backlash Productions; Mary Conde, Another Planet; Erik Distler, AEG; Kristen Fulmer, Oak View Group; Adam Gardner, REVERB and Guster; Hanna Grahn, Spotify; Cheryl Liguori, Z2 Entertainment; Lesley Olenik, Live Nation; Scott Paul, Taylor Guitars; Carol Scott, TAIT; Dylan Siegler, UMG.