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Hachette UK has committed to setting science-based targets for reducing its carbon emissions as part of the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aiming to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The initiative provides companies with a clearly-defined path to low carbon transformation in line with the Paris Agreement goals and climate science. Hachette’s commitment follows a year-long assessment of its greenhouse gas emission inventory for its UK and overseas operations, working with sustainability consultancy Carnstone and covering scope one, two and three emissions.
Scope one covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources and scope two covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the organisation. Scope three covers all the other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on climate change has recommended a 50% reduction in global carbon emissions by 2030 to hold global warming to 1.5C. Hachette has agreed to reach net zero carbon emissions in its operations by 2050 at the latest and it aims to exceed further minimum targets by 2030.
It will reduce scope one and two emissions by 42%, from a 2019 base, through initiatives including an accelerated programme of moving to 100% certified renewable electricity sourcing and a move to electric vehicles as standard for company fleets. The publisher will also reduce scope three emissions by 25%, from a 2019 base, through initiatives such as reviewing the paper supply chain and reducing paper wastage, improved demand planning and close collaboration with its supplier base.
Ben Groves-Raines (pictured), publishing operations director at Hachette UK, who is leading the publisher’s sustainability strategy, said: “We recognise there’s a climate emergency and it’s vital that we reduce the environmental impact of our operations in a way that’s aligned with climate science.
"While we’re making good progress in moving to a carbon neutral position in our own operations, it’s clear that scope three (manufacturing, transport and distribution), which accounts for 98% of our emissions, is the area to focus on. Two-thirds of our scope three carbon emissions are driven by paper, printing and binding. There are already a number of suppliers putting the effort in to reduce their impact and we’re optimistic that through close collaboration, we’ll see significant reductions over the coming years as we build a more efficient and less wasteful supply chain.”
He added: “At times, the enormity of the challenge can seem a little overwhelming but by working collaboratively across the supply chain and with industry bodies such as the Publishers Association, Booksellers Association and BIC, we have already demonstrated that there are common approaches, tools and best practice for gathering data. I’m optimistic that, together, we can make a meaningful difference.”
Hachette is also a signatory of Publishing Declares, the industry’s five-point pledge on climate action, and a member of the Book Chain Project and the Book Industry Communication (BIC) Green Supply Chain Committee.
Last month, HarperCollins UK committed to become carbon neutral in its direct emissions by the end of 2021. In April this year, PRH announced it had achieved carbon neutrality across its direct operations. Bonnier Books UK went “beyond climate neutral” at the beginning of this year, meaning the organisation takes 20% more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than it creates through its operations. Pan Mac says it is already a carbon neutral company through offsetting and is currently developing its sustainability targets for the next 10 years.