OUP publishes report on sustainability targets

Oxford University Press (OUP) has shared the progress it has made against its sustainability targets in the company’s latest Responsible Publishing Report.

The publisher, a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Publishers Compact, has achieved a 59% reduction in its operational carbon footprint and a 70% total reduction in waste. Meanwhile, 91% of the paper used by the publisher’s strategic print suppliers is now certified sustainable, up from 75% the prior year.

In the report, the publisher said: "We know that our global operations—and those of our manufacturing supply chain—contribute to climate change through fossil fuel use. The books and journals we publish require substantial volumes of paper which can, if not sourced sustainably, contribute to deforestation. We also generate waste at all stages of our value chain."

OUP is now sending zero waste to landfill from its two largest offices, representing 40% of the workforce. The report outlined that the publisher is conducting a climate risk assessment to embed climate risk more deeply into the risk management process. It is also developing a Sustainable Marketing Charter with the aim of using sustainable paper for 100% of its marketing collateral by 2025, as well as reducing the amount of marketing print produced overall. 

In the longer term, the publisher aims to reduce the impacts of its manufacturing supply chain as well as on the environmental footprint of digital publishing.

The progress OUP has made towards its goals of promoting access to education, ethics, diversity and inclusion is also measured in the report. The company has donated thousands of books to support educational initiatives worldwide, including to its long-standing charity partner Book Aid International and to schools affected by the earthquakes in southern Türkiye and Syria. It also increased women’s representation at leadership level to 45% in December 2022, against a target of 50% representation by 2024.

Nigel Portwood, OUP c.e.o., said: "I am extremely proud of the progress we have made this year, much of which can be attributed to the continued focus and hard work of our colleagues worldwide. Through collaboration, and a commitment to our mission—furthering the university’s objectives of excellence in research, scholarship and education by publishing worldwide—we have pursued initiatives and activities that make a real difference, both within OUP and among the communities we serve.

"But our work doesn’t stop there; we will continue to review and enhance our processes wherever possible, so that our publishing remains purposeful, challenges minds, and drives positive, long-lasting change in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals."