In 2008, our total carbon emissions decreased 4%; 163,478 t/CO2 in 2007 vs 157,137 t/CO2 in 2008. This was led by an 18% decrease in Scope 3 business travel related emissions.1 When normalised, there was the equivalent of a 20% decrease in total carbon emissions.

  Absolute Normalised Ratios*
t/CO2 by GHG Protocol 2008 2007 2008 2007

Scope 1

Fuel combustion/company owned vehicles		 18,559 -4% 19,230 12 -20% 15

Scope 2

Purchased electricity for own use**		 107,653 1% 106,428 70 -16% 83

Scope 3

Business travel***		 30,926 -18% 37,819 20 -32% 29
Supply chain****
(10% of key suppliers)		 100,778 N/A N/A 65 N/A N/A

Total t/CO2

(Scopes 1, 2 and Scope 3, business travel)		 157,137 -4% 163,478 102 -20% 127
*
Absolute performance/EBITDA
**
Renewable electricity restated at standard electricity rates following new guidance from DEFRA. Including renewable electricity at zero emissions would show an absolute reduction of 8% between 2003 and 2008
***
Covers 88% of markets by revenue
****
Not included in total

Although absolute CO2 emissions have varied considerably year on year, 2008 levels were the same as those in 2003. When normalised, there was the equivalent of a 27% decrease. See a breakdown of our GHG Protocol performance by scope.

Each year we ask key suppliers about their environmental responsibilities, certifications, targets and compliance through the Socially Responsible Suppliers (SRS) survey. In 2008, we expanded this to include a request for supplier GHG protocol Scope 1 and 2 emissions to be reported as part of our Scope 3 emissions. We provided online training, tools and support, and calculated a relative impact of 100,778 t/CO2 based on the percentage of their production conducted on our behalf. We received results back from 10% of key suppliers, covering all major areas, including paper, pre-press, manufacturing, and distribution. Even with this small sample, it is clear that the majority of RE total product emissions derives from our supply chain. We are committed to increasing coverage of our Scope 3 emissions.

As our Climate Change Statement makes clear, “we are committed to reducing the impact we have on the climate through proactive measures.” We launched our 2008 environmental campaign on CO2 reduction with a video featuring employees, editors, and environmental partners like Earthwatch, along with an email from the CEO on World Environment Day.

In the year, we worked with other leading European companies through Respect Table to promote a new, viable international agreement on climate change, to be negotiated in Copenhagen in 2009. We also became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact’s Caring for Climate, joining companies around the world to demonstrate leadership on climate change: “to set goals, develop and expand strategies and practices, and to publicly disclose emissions.”

The Global Alliance logo

In the year, we founded a new initiative with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology; The London School of Economics; and Shell called The Global Alliance to help companies understand the role of oceans in driving weather and climate and to provide good practice on the adaptation needed to deal with climate change.

In 2008, we were once again included in the Carbon Disclosure Project leadership index and judged one of the best reporting companies with a score of 89/100.

And as an example of how we are working to engage customers, in 2008, as part of an Elsevier meeting for flagship product, Scopus, rather than receiving a gift, attendees’ carbon emissions were offset.

1
Scope 3 business travel covers air, rail and personal cars used for business purposes but does not include car fleet, which is included in Scope 1 as stipulated in the GHG Protocol; hence the variance between total travel emissions (16% reduction) and Scope 3 business travel (18% reduction).