For the first time since 2019, Penguin Random House UK has reduced its paper and print emissions by 11% marking a significant milestone for the publishing house for which 91% of its carbon footprint currently lies in product emissions created by its global supply chain.
The achievement is among the UK division of the global publisher’s key successes as laid out in its 2022 Sustainability Impact Report.
In the report, Penguin Random House UK ceo, Tom Weldon highlights that this global supply chain will now be the focus for much of the work to meet the publisher’s ‘ambitious sustainability goals.’
“[The global supply chain] is the area where we have less direct control and so driving change requires working in partnership with our suppliers, particularly printers and paper mills,” he said.
Actions taken by the company in recent years include placing a cap on high-carbon papers, launching a toolkit and training to equip teams with the information they need to make more sustainable book design and production choices, and defaulting to rail transport within Europe.
“This reduction shows that our approach is working, but we need to continue to accelerate these efforts as we work towards our global goal to become climate-neutral by 2030,” continued Tom. “Our 2022 emissions remain stable in comparison to 2021, and this is due to an increase in employee commuting and business travel emissions as we continue to navigate a post-pandemic hybrid work model.
“Importantly, we have reduced our emissions by 10% compared to our baseline year of 2018.”
The Penguin Random House UK Sustainability Impact Report 2022 condenses the team’s strategy by streamlining it into three areas of focus: Journey to Zero; Design for the Future; and Content.
Under Journey to Zero, Penguin highlights its aim to become clime neutral in its global value chain by 2030 and maintain climate neutrality in its direct operations. Its goal is to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030 in line with the Science Based Targets initiative. To do this Penguin Random House UK will focus on decarbonising its supply chain; investing in low-carbon papers; building robust data compliance’ and researching low-carbon innovations.
Under its Design for the Future pillar, meanwhile, Penguin Random House UK aims to ensure 100% of its paper and core materials are ethically and sustainably sourced. The goal is to make all core materials 100% responsibly sourced by 2030. It will do this by focusing on the removal of unsustainable materials; introducing 100% transparency to its supply chain; implementing progressive policies and practices while educating and engaging colleagues; and embedding nature-based solutions into its operations.
Finally, under Content, Penguin will look to use the power of its brand, books, and authors to amplify the climate emergency and encourage positive behaviour.
To help it achieve all it goals, Penguin Random House has partnered with the likes of Book Industry Communication Ltd; ICTI Ethical Toy Program; Carnstone Partners; and the Publishers Association.
“Penguin Random House is an engaged member of the Publishers Association’s Sustainability Taskforce and founding signatory of Publishing Declares,” said Alice Wood, sustainability manager at The Publishers Association.
“It is great to see how PRH makes concerted efforts to reduce its carbon emissions and be more sustainable across its supply chain.”
Steps taken by Penguin Random House UK in the past year include the launch of a Sustainable Production Toolkit to provide information on the impact of production choices. The team has then worked to train colleagues in decision-making roles on how to use the toolkit to help them make more informed choices on areas such as the carbon impact of paper types they opt for as well as information on non-recyclable finishes such as glitter.
Penguin Random House UK has also introduced a cap on high-carbon papers which represents 40% of its overall carbon footprint. This cap should, the team says, reduce its total emissions by 15% by 2024.
“We are so pleased to have introduced this cap on high carbon paper, which will tackle the largest single source of our company emissions,” said Courtney Wood-Hunting, senior sustainability production manager at Penguin Random House UK.
“It’s a key step towards our goal of becoming climate neutral by 2030, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative.”
Further steps taken include targeting sustainable sourcing operations with the creation of a Green Materials Library for colleagues which houses examples of sustainable alternatives to decorative finishes, inks, packaging, as well as examples of published titles that embody sustainable production.
The team has also revamped the material guide in the Sustainable Production Toolkit to include more detailed information on the sustainable properties of materials used in its books.
On top of this, Penguin hosted a virtual training in partnership with BBC Studios on ethical and environmental standards for colleagues working across BBC titles.
Anita Majhu, head of licensing & brand and licensing sustainability lead at BBC Studios, said: “BBC Studios is a Carbon Neutral Company and along with the BBC Group has committed to the new SBTi Net Zero standard, including joining both the Science Based Targets for Nature working group and aligning to the Taskforce on Nature Related Financial Disclosures.
“As a key partner BBC Studios recognises that Penguin Random House has an important part to play in helping our organisation realise this commitment. Penguin Random House share BBC Studios commitment to responsible business and driving positive change in the space of sustainability, showing proactivity, transparency, and ownership.
“Another example of where our values align is that Penguin Random House is focused on continuous improvement in this space and is committed to using their scale for good.”
