The Bookseller.com

8th September 2008

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BA: Green movement picks up speed

14.05.08 Benedicte Page

A stark warning of the consequences of global warming came from the former government chief scientific advisor Professor Sir David King at a BA session on greening the book trade. King revealed that carbon levels in the atmosphere had rocketed to the level they were at in the hotter world of three million years ago, and painted a picture of a future in which climate change would contribute to massive geopolitical destabilisation as sea levels rose. A massive 80% reduction in carbon emissions was needed by 2050, he said.

Helen Fraser, who chairs the BA/PA Environmental Action Group, announced the launch of a new website to help the book trade get greener. With the EAG calling on the trade to reduce its carbon emissions by 10% by 2015, www.green4books.org.uk will offer information and practical tips to help the trade reach that target.

Waterstone's m.d. Gerry Johnson detailed the chain's commitment to environmental responsibility, saying that it had reduced its energy use by 4% last year, now had renewable energy of 5%, and intended to "pick up the pace" for the future. He said Waterstone's had also reviewed its open door policy, and had its first wind-powered store. Johnson said that 37% of the company's waste had been recycled last year, with a target of 45% this year, and that the chain had sold 20,000 of its "very popular" cotton bags as part of its effort to reduce the number of plastic bags it used (32 million last year). The success of this move confirmed that book-buyers were willing to help out, he added.

Blogging the BA Conference - Day Two

Benedicte Page BA green Bookseller Association Conference