Springer Nature makes strides towards sustainability, annual report shows

Springer Nature Group has released its latest annual Sustainable Business Report, Open for Progress, which shows that the academic publisher’s carbon-reduction efforts are on track. 

The Open for Progress report – which includes environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance data – indicates that 99% of Springer Nature’s electricity use is now from zero carbon sources. 

This follows news that in 2023, Springer Nature’s carbon reduction targets were verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which aims to define and promote best practice in science-based target setting. Springer Nature’s own targets include a 54.6% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions (direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by a company and indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling), a 32.5% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2032 (all other emissions associated with a company’s activities) and a 90% reduction across all scopes, with the eventual aim of reaching net zero by 2040. 

In addition to this, the report indicates Springer Nature’s continued support of the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). SDGs are a list of 17 goals signed by all member states in 2015, which aim to tackle poverty, climate change and inequality. The Open for Progress report shows that Springer has published nearly one million pieces of research related to SDGs since 2015. Furthermore, more than half of its SDG content is Open Access, meaning it is freely available to those who need it. 

The new report also suggests that 24% of staff members (approximately 2,250 individuals) are part of Springer Nature’s “sustainability journey”, participating in employee networks dedicated to topics such as diversity, advocacy and improving the carbon emissions of its offices. According to the report, Springer Nature employees also volunteer across 17 SDG working groups on projects to advance the goals. 

Commenting on the report, Springer Nature’s c.e.o Frank Vrancken Peeters said: “Our 9000+ Springer Nature colleagues around the world are our best asset. This report shows their dedication to our mission: to use the discovery and dissemination of knowledge to address the world’s greatest challenges. They help authors bring research to life, they work with business partners to make our value chain more sustainable, and they protect the integrity of the scientific record. They are a part of progress and will carry us forward on our sustainability journey.”

Other highlights outlined in the report include a nod to Springer Nature’s advancement in the diversity and inclusion arena. Women now make up 44% of its global leadership cohort, an increase of five percentage points from 2018, when a gender representation goal was first set. The publisher’s management board now also has a 50/50 gender split. 

Thea Sherer, Springer Nature’s director of sustainability and climate action officer, commented: “We were delighted to announce the validation of our science-based targets last year, an important step forward in our progress to be net zero by 2040. We’re driving forward at pace, thanks to the support we have from our global colleagues and the embeddedness of sustainability to Springer Nature’s core mission. We remain focused on our short-term 2032 targets, and are on track to meet them, even with pandemic recovery still noticeable across some numbers. Ongoing carbon-related projects across the business and broader market development trends, like less printing, also help us head in the right direction.”