Sustainability, publishing and the IPG: progress and next steps

We have put sustainability at the heart of the IPG’s activities in the last few years, and while we have taken some big steps forward together, we all know there is a lot more to do before we become a properly sustainable industry. We’ll be making more progress at the next virtual meeting of our Sustainability Action Group from 10am to 11am on Friday 9 December 2022, and would love to see you there; you can book your free place here.

Ahead of that meeting, here’s a summary of the sustainability work so far and what’s next.

The Sustainability Action Group

We set up the Sustainability Action Group in 2019 after some tough but inspiring sessions at our Conferences—including from Extinction Rebellion co-founder Clare Farrell and sustainability expert Mike Berners-Lee. Their constructive criticism focused publishers’ minds on the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to get more strategic about change. Under the leadership of Boldwood Books founder and former IPG chair Amanda Ridout, dozens of members have been involved in discussions and sharing tips for reducing carbon footprints in publishing.

The Sustainability Taskforce and Book Journeys Project

In 2021 we widened our work by setting up a Sustainability Taskforce that included retailers, distributors, wholesalers and printers as well as publishers. This Taskforce then worked with sustainability experts Carnstone on the Book Journeys Project, to analyse the sources and levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste in six typical book journeys from printer to end-user. We found the overwhelming majority of emissions come from deliveries and returns.

Targets for change

The research led the Taskforce to set five targets for meaningful change. They focus on greener transportation and logistics, better packaging and an ultimate aim for all publishers—to reach net-zero status in operations by 2040. You can read more about these, including specific goals and dates and the research behind them. An important spin-off from the targets is to research the scope for more localised printing—something that isn’t practical for all books, but that has the potential to substantially reduce transport miles.

An award for the Book Journeys Project!

We were thrilled when the Book Journeys Project received the Sustainability Award at the 2021 FutureBook Awards in London. This was valuable endorsement of the work we have done so far and the value of professional research as a starting point for change.

Zero Carbon Toolkit

We know that meeting the Book Journeys Project’s targets will require time, investment and expertise. Smaller publishers in particular can’t expect to have the in-house expertise to reduce their carbon footprints by themselves. To that end we created a new Zero Carbon Toolkit with ideas and resources for better practice, to which all IPG members have free access.

Next steps for the Book Journeys Project

Phase two of the Book Journeys Project focuses on what we all know is a big area of waste: the end-of-life treatments of books like returns and pulping. We’ll be sharing the results of research into this area soon. Reducing emissions here won’t be easy, but progress is a priority.

The Sustainability Industry Forum

Publishing’s supply chain involves many different sectors, so joined-up thinking on aspects of sustainability like transport and returns is essential. That has prompted us to set up a new Sustainability Industry Forum that connects the IPG and five other trade organisations: the Association of Authors’ Agents, Booksellers Association, Book Industry Communication, Publishers Association and Society of Authors. The Forum meets quarterly, with two representatives from each of the six bodies overseeing the work.

This is the first time that the six associations have come together in this way, which demonstrates the seriousness with which we all take the climate crisis. Collaboration is important—not just to accelerate improvements, but because it shows consumers that we are united in our commitments.

All this work is helping the book world move beyond talking about sustainability to making genuine improvements. Public pressure is mounting on everyone to show their commitments to change, and we want to help independent publishers lead the way. As always, we welcome input from any members with ideas or questions.

If you are not yet involved in the Sustainability Action Group, we warmly encourage you to join us. Sign up to hear about future events and work with no commitment.

Book your place the next Sustainability Action Group meeting here.