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Hachette UK hails progress towards hitting 2030 emission reduction target
Hachette UK has revealed it is half way to achieving its 2030 targets for sustainability as it announces its climate targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Climate action organisation SBTi works with businesses to approve targets for reducing emissions and switching to more sustainable working models.
Hachette UK aims to reduce its direct carbon emissions by almost 60% by 2030 – having already reduced its emissions by 30% since 2019.
It aims to also source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, having already increased its reliance on green energy by 25% in the past five years.
In 2021, Hachette UK conducted a year-long assessment of its greenhouse gas emissions inventory alongside sustainability consultancy Carnstone.
The firm also aims to reduce its indirect emissions — arising from associated work not controlled by Hachette UK, so from its supply chains – by 27.5% by 2030.
The SBTi-approved targets are aligned with Hachette Livre’s 30/30 Strategy, the name of its 30% carbon reduction by 2030 programme and are in line with the Lagardère Group’s decarbonisation strategy more broadly.
Ben Groves-Raines, publishing operations director at Hachette UK, said: “I’m incredibly proud that our science-based targets have been approved and with the progress achieved to date.”
He added: “We are following Greenhouse Gas Protocol advice to reduce our emissions before considering offsetting and are committed to working collaboratively with key printers, distributors, manufacturers and other suppliers throughout the supply chain.”
Hachette UK has also launched an employee action group, The Sustainability Network, and plans to publish the results of its environmental efforts via an annual report.
Leanne Bryan and Alexandra Cooper, co-chairs of Hachette UK’s sustainability network, said: “The approval of our science-based targets is an important moment for sustainability at Hachette UK, and the perfect opportunity to engage and inform staff across the business.
“We’re delighted everyone will be able to track and monitor Hachette UK’s progress via an annual report.”
Hachette UK is a founding signatory of Publishing Declares, the industry’s five-point pledge on climate action and is an active member of The Book Chain Project, the Book Industry Communication (BIC) Green Supply Chain Committee and the Publishers Association’s Sustainability Taskforce.
