Elsevier commits to net zero carbon emissions by 2040

Elsevier has committed to producing net zero carbon emissions by 2040, after signing the Climate Pledge with its parent company RELX.

The Climate Pledge, founded by Amazon and climate crisis awareness company Global Optimism, challenges businesses to pivot to low-carbon products and services in a bid to combat the effects of climate change.

In 2020, Elsevier was net zero for its own direct emissions and business travel. Kumsal Bayazit, Elsevier’s c.e.o., said: “The scientific consensus is clear, climate change is happening and we all have the responsibility to make the future sustainable for our planet. At Elsevier we are already net zero for our own direct emissions and by signing the climate pledge I am confident we can rise to the challenge and accelerate the action needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.”

To achieve its goal, the company plans to reduce carbon emissions resulting from business travel by 50% before 2025, based on a 2019 baseline, saving around 10,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. It also aims to reduce indirect emissions from suppliers, form a climate advisory board and create an employee-driven resource group to further embed sustainable principles and practices throughout the company, among other measures.

Nick Luff, chief financial officer at RELX, said: “Between 2010 and 2019, thanks to the efforts of colleagues across our business, we achieved a reduction of 52% in our carbon emissions. But we know there is much more to do to limit climate change to 1.5C. By making a commitment to net zero through The Climate Pledge, we will continue our work on tackling climate change through our own operations, and by meaningful engagement with our suppliers, customers and other stakeholders.”

Elsevier will also publish a report analysing the global impact of research around energy-related emissions, expected in October.