Springer Nature joins climate action emission reduction campaign

Springer Nature is joining the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, a call-to-action for companies to set emissions reduction targets that can collectively limit global temperature increases. 

The commitment coincides with Climate Action Day,  a movement of global organisations amplifying the action they are taking to listen to climate science ahead of COP26.

By joining the campaign, which is backed by a global network of UN agencies, business and industry leaders, the academic publisher has committed to achieving a reduction in its carbon emissions, which will be independently verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The organisation assesses corporate emissions reduction targets in line with what is needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, working to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

Thea Sherer, climate action officer and director of sustainability at Springer Nature, said: "Following the science is second nature at Springer Nature, so becoming part of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign and setting science-based targets just makes sense. As a world leading publisher of climate research, responsible for over 40,000 journal articles and book chapters in this space since 2015, we are acutely aware of the importance of turning to science when looking to solve some of the most pressing global challenges.

“As well as our publishing portfolio, Springer Nature has introduced industry-leading sustainable business practices, becoming carbon neutral across the company’s direct business operations in 2020. We look forward to setting targets that will help us make further progress towards reducing our emissions and to play our part in aiming for a 1.5°C future.”

The publisher first started reporting on its environmental and social performance in 2017, and since then has become carbon neutral in its direct operations, reduced energy use in offices, and established an internal green office network of more than 120 colleagues in 12 countries. 

Alberto Carrillo Pineda, m.d. of the SBTi, said: “There is no time to lose. The transformation to a net-zero economy is unavoidable. Hundreds of businesses are leading the way by setting ambitious 1.5°C science-based targets. To stand a fighting chance of maintaining a habitable planet, we urgently need more companies to act on climate science and to decarbonise our economy.”