In a first for the media industry, we carried out a study in 2007 to measure the carbon footprint of one of our titles, the Elsevier journal, Fuel. We measured emissions created by producing a print version versus an online journal.
Working with sustainability consultants, Best Foot Forward, we set out to calculate the full life-cycle impact of Fuel.
In what we think is the first study of its kind in our industry, we were able to demonstrate the environmental impact of producing the journal at every stage of production. We were also able to show that the way users access the journal – whether in print or online – has a bearing on that environmental impact.
As a result we are now looking at a range of actions we can take to improve. This includes switching to remote local printing which could result in cuts in CO2 emissions of up to 11%.
We may also be able to move to greater use of renewable energy. It is estimated that the biggest reductions, however, will come from reducing travel.
But it is early days. The study will continue in 2008 and we will continue to apply the lessons learned.
You can find out more about our approach to tackling climate change and our efforts to measure not just our own emissions, but those of our suppliers in our latest Corporate Responsibility Report .