We want to be a part of the solution to some of our industry’s most pressing challenges such as the climate crisis, deforestation and labour conditions in the supply chain.
Key topics:
The last decade was the warmest on record and we are seeing more extreme weather, rising sea levels and biodiversity loss. The climate crisis affects us all and the world’s nations quickly need to transition to low-carbon economies. Bold action is required to reach the Paris Agreement’s aim of curbing global warming to well below 2˚C compared with preindustrial levels.
We aim to achieve this by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions throughout the value chain, including our own operations, and offsetting the remaining emissions. It is important to emphasise that our main goal is to reduce our emissions both in the short and long term. Offsetting is what we do only to compensate for the emissions we cannot yet avoid.
By 2025, all Bonnier Books’ GHG emissions – from our own operations, our business travel, the production of our books and the materials we use – must have been reduced by 25 percent from the 2019 level. The target is in line with the most ambitious reduction trajectory of the Science Based Targets initiative, limiting global warming to 1.5˚C. Our target is also closely aligned with the most rigorous standard for measuring and achieving climate neutrality, PAS 2060, developed by the British Standards Institute.
For the emissions we cannot currently avoid, we are investing from 2021 onwards in emission reduction projects registered under international standards (such as Verra) and which are verified by third-party auditing bodies (such as DNV). Furthermore, for every amount we earmark for climate protection projects, we will invest additional 20 percent with the aim of removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over time than we emit.
Please click here for further information on our supported compensation projects.
Emissions for 2023 amounted to 89,365 tonnes CO2e, marking a 26 percent decrease compared to 2022. This reduction results from an increased share of renewable electricity (partially through Energy Attribute Certificates) in our suppliers’ facilities and greater efforts to select low-emitting papers, which have been increasingly used and implemented in our printing agreements. Our greenhouse gas emission intensity (tonnes CO2e/SEK million in net sales) decreased to 11.1 in 2023, 32.7 percent lower than the previous year. Most of the emissions originated in the supply chain (Scope 3), with 69 percent from “Purchased goods and services” and 18.3 percent from up- and downstream transport.
Bonnier Books’ overall reduction target was to cut GHG emissions by 25 percent between 2019 and 2025. The new 2023 figures show that we already achieved a 34 percent reduction, surpassing our original target two years earlier. In the forthcoming months, we will adapt our strategy to remain at ambitious levels and follow our priority to reduce GHG emissions.
Our production is governed by Bonnier Books’ group-wide Production Sustainability Commitments and Implementation and our Code of Conduct, which all printing suppliers must adhere to. It describes our minimum requirements for working conditions, occupational health, human rights, material sourcing, and the environment. The Code of Conduct has been developed by The Book Chain Project.
We have created a system for measuring the work of our printers according to three focus areas: environment, materials, and labour and human rights. The system is called EVA (Evaluate, Validate, Approve). This enables us to drive measurable development over time, motivate and compare our suppliers and provide concrete feedback in areas where improvements are required. All print suppliers that have worked with Bonnier Books for more than two consecutive years, or that meet a certain spend threshold, are included in EVA.
To manage our social and environmental impacts in the supply chain, particularly in high-risk countries, we launched our Production Sustainability Commitments and Implementation Plan in January 2021. This includes the following three commitments to reduce and avoid negative impacts in the supply chain.
To use materials with the lowest possible environmental impact
The publishing industry has significant impact on biodiversity, climate change, land use and the rights of indigenous peoples. The selection of paper with lower environmental impact is key to minimising our environmental footprint and attain our climate targets. This is why we have set an objective that 95 percent of all paper in our books should come from approved sources by 2025.
To uphold labour & human rights standards across our supply chain
We are committed to providing an inclusive, safe and healthy working environment. We also strive to ensure that our supply chain always employs safe and ethical working practices. Any form of human rights abuse, slavery, forced or bonded labour, child labour and human trafficking will not be tolerated. We want to ensure that those working in our supply chain are treated fairly, with dignity and operate in a safe and healthy working environment.
To manage and reduce our environmental impact
We want to track the performance and progress of our suppliers and their environmental impacts. Around 70 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in our value chain can be traced to purchased goods and services. This commitment also covers pollution to air and water, water scarcity and waste.
Bonnier Books is owned by Bonnier Group.
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