OUP to be carbon neutral by 2025

Oxford University Press (OUP) intends to be carbon neutral in its own operations by 2025, ensuring that 100% of paper for its printed publications is certified as sustainable and that it produces zero landfill.

OUP says it has been measuring and monitoring its environmental impact closely, and revealed that in 2019 it produced an estimated 90,000 tonnes of CO², more than half of which was associated with paper and book production. It used around 40,000 tons of book paper, two-thirds of which was already certified as sustainable. Of the 5,000 tons of waste from OUP’s offices and warehouses, around a quarter went to landfill.

The publisher said it is committed to tackling these areas over the coming years. C.e.o. Nigel Portwood said: “As a global organisation with a long history, we understand the importance of operating in a sustainable way.

“We are committed to not only reducing our own footprint, but also raising environmental awareness through our future content. We know we have much to do, but our targets for 2025 signal our intent to drive improvements within OUP, and we are proud to continue our work in helping the publishing industry become more environmentally conscious.”

Zoe Cokeliss Barsley, director of sustainability, added: “We have already taken significant steps to improve our sustainability at OUP. Our strategy will mean we can look to achieve our commitments by 2025 with confidence. We are also putting plans in place to look beyond this date, and reduce OUP’s climate, biodiversity, waste and pollution impact further still.

“As well as reducing our own operational footprint, we will be working closely with our suppliers to ensure our products are made in a way that are as clean and green as possible. We have been working with our people to look at the steps that they can take to reduce their own footprint and contribute to our goals.”