In its Sustainability Impact Report, Penguin Random House UK announced that emissions have remained “stable” in 2022, in comparison to 2021.

While emissions are down 10% compared to 2018, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases remained at 49,488 tons when compared to 2021. The report attributes this to “an increase in employee commuting and business travel emissions”. 

Product-related emissions, which make up the majority of PRH UK’s carbon impact, have seen a 5% increase since 2018, but were down 4% on 2021. Almost 70% of these emissions come from paper and suppliers, where the company has focused on reducing emissions. Overall in 2022, it managed to reduce these by 11% compared to 2021 through projects including its Sustainability Production Toolkit and capping high-carbon papers. 

Its goal is to cut emissions by 50% by 2030, in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Site-related emissions were down 74% since 2018, which is the baseline year, and 11% down since 2021. However employee-related emissions, which were down 38% on 2018, saw an 89% increase between 2021 and 2022. 

Tom Weldon, c.e.o., said: “Reflecting on the last year, I’m pleased that for the first time since 2019, we have reduced our paper and print emissions by 11%. This is particularly significant because the majority of our carbon footprint (91%) lies in product emissions created in our global supply chain. This is also the area where we have less direct control and so driving change requires working in partnership with our suppliers, particularly printers and paper mills. Actions we have taken in recent years include placing a cap on high-carbon papers, launching a toolkit and training to equip teams with the information they need to make more sustainable book design and production choices, and defaulting to rail transport in Europe.

“This reduction shows that our approach is working, but we need to continue to accelerate these efforts as we work towards our global goal to become climate neutral by 2030.” 

The company has installed EV chargers in its warehouse car park to give employees more choice for sustainable travel. It has also been working with employees to offset the emissions created by travelling into work by car and worked “to find solutions for more sustainable travel methods”. 

PRH UK’s sustainability strategy has three priorities, including becoming climate-neutral in the company’s global value chain by 2030 and maintaining climate neutrality in direct operations. The company is also working towards ensuring 100% of paper and other core materials are ethically and sustainably sourced, and continues to aim for Penguin’s brand, books, and authors to “amplify the climate emergency”.