Dave Matthews Band appointed United Nations Goodwill Ambassador

Rockers the Dave Matthews Band made history on World Environment Day as the first group to be appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme.
The Space Between hitmakers, fronted by singer Dave Matthews, have been recognised for their long partnership with officials at non-profit organisation Reverb, with whom they have worked to make their tours as sustainable as possible since 2005.
Their efforts, which include using biodiesel to fuel trucks and buses, using locally-sourced goods for catering, and encouraging recycling, have also led fans to help raise $2 million (£1.6 million) to aid a number of green causes.
Now, to mark World Environment Day on Wednesday (05Jun19), U.N. chiefs have decided to honour the group for its environmental advocacy.
“It’s desperate times, and we all need to work together to have hope for the future, hope for our children, and hope for the planet,” Dave Matthews said at a special U.N. Environment Goodwill Ambassadorship ceremony in St. Louis, Missouri.
Reverb’s Adam Gardner has heaped praise on the stars, writing in a statement to Variety: “The music industry needs artists who lead by example, and the Dave Matthews Band has truly set the gold standard for green tours.
“We are grateful to be working with artists like Dave Matthews Band who engage, educate and mobilize their fan base in the fight against climate change. This sends an important message to policy makers around the globe: The time to act is now.”
The Dave Matthews Band joins the likes of fellow eco-warriors and Goodwill Ambassadors like fellow rocker Jack Johnson, singer Ellie Goulding, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and actor Don Cheadle.