At this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, the conversation around publishing and sustainability took center stage with the UN panel, “From Climate Science to Climate Action.” Representing New Society Publishers was Sales Manager and Environmental Lead EJ Hurst, a longstanding advocate for sustainable practices in publishing. Hurst joined industry leaders to discuss actionable steps publishers can take to address climate change. The panel explored how publishing, a traditionally paper-dependent industry, can take meaningful strides toward a more eco-conscious future. Here’s a look at the key takeaways and practical insights EJ and her fellow panelists shared on moving from climate awareness to climate action.
The Link Between Biodiversity and the Climate Crisis
Professor Ralf Seppelt opened the discussion by emphasizing that biodiversity loss is deeply intertwined with the climate crisis, highlighting the importance of preserving the natural diversity of plants, animals, and ecosystems. Biodiversity loss affects climate stability, disrupting everything from local ecosystems to global food chains. These interconnected crises are a call to publishers to help communicate the complexity of these challenges in ways that are both impactful and accessible to the public.
“Have audiences become far too weary, hearing the alarm bells constantly ringing?”Conveying the urgency of biodiversity and climate issues is no simple task. Many audiences feel “climate fatigue,” where constant exposure to environmental news leads to a sense of helplessness or disengagement. To combat this, publishers and scientists can reframe their messaging, focusing on hope-driven narratives and achievable solutions. For example, the findings from the book 3 Degrees More illustrate how storytelling can make complex topics like climate change more relatable and compelling, helping readers develop a deeper understanding of the crisis on a whole.
Leading Sustainability in Publishing: EJ Hurst’s Key Actions
As a leader in sustainable publishing, New Society Publishers has long prioritized more sustainable practices. During the panel, Hurst outlined three actionable steps for publishers aiming to reduce their environmental impact.
1: Opt for Recycled and Alternative Paper Options
For the publishing industry, paper is both an essential material and a major contributor to carbon emissions. Recognizing this, New Society Publishers and ECW Press partnered with the Canada Council for the Arts to develop carbon footprint calculators tailored for Canadian publishers. By quantifying carbon emissions, these calculators offer an invaluable tool for understanding and managing environmental impact.
And full-scale carbon calculations aren’t the only path forward. According to Hurst, switching to 100% post-consumer recycled paper can reduce a publisher’s carbon footprint by 50-60% — an immediate and impactful step. As an added benefit, books printed on 100% recycled paper, including their covers, are exempt from the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements, making them a preferred choice for publishers aiming for environmental compliance.
Hurst also underscored the exciting work of Canopy Planet, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing “next-generation” paper made from agricultural waste, such as wheat straw in Canada or sugarcane waste in Brazil. These alternatives, which don’t rely on trees, represent a promising shift toward a more sustainable paper industry. For publishers of any size, Hurst encouraged signing off-take agreements with next generation paper mills to help drive growth in this innovative industry
2: Embrace Print-On-Demand (POD) and Proximity Printing.
Print-on-demand (POD) offers a sustainable solution for reducing waste, as books are printed only when ordered, minimizing overproduction. However, Hurst cautioned that environmental benefits depend on careful management of paper selection and shipping practices. She recounted a cautionary example in which a POD order printed on virgin forest paper in the US was air-freighted to Europe, offsetting its sustainability advantage with high transport emissions.
This experience highlights the importance of planning POD logistics and considering options for proximity printing, especially for global publishers. When executed with attention to detail, POD can substantially lower a publisher’s environmental footprint while meeting demand efficiently.
3: Shorten Supply Chains
Reducing the distance between printing locations and end consumers is another impactful step for sustainability. By producing books closer to where they will be sold, publishers can minimize transportation-related emissions and increase the efficiency of their operations. For smaller publishers, forming consortiums to share resources, such as sourcing recycled paper or arranging for eco-friendly printing, can make sustainable practices more accessible and affordable.
Embedding Sustainability into Business Values
The question of how publishers can balance sustainability with profitability was another focal point of the discussion. Hurst introduced the concept of the “triple bottom line,” which encourages publishers to view people, the planet, and profit as interconnected priorities. For the publishing industry, this means that a book’s success should consider financial gains, while also having a neutral or net-positive impact on the environment and society.
Hurst argued that a climate-conscious approach is ultimately a business necessity, especially as climate risks increasingly disrupt global supply chains. For example, deforestation is linked to paper production, which directly contributes to global warming. Rising temperatures, in turn, lead to more frequent and severe weather events, putting critical infrastructures, such as ports, at risk. With this in mind, Hurst urged publishers to “ruggedize” their supply chains by embracing sustainable practices that make them more resilient to climate impacts.
Hurst recommended that, while also integrating sustainability into corporate values, publishers start with small, achievable goals. Simple actions, like increasing recycled content in print runs, can yield positive results and lay the groundwork for larger initiatives. Publishers can gradually scale these efforts over time, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in environmental responsibility.
The Regional Role of Publishers in Climate Action
Sevani Matos, President of the Brazilian Book Chamber, offered a perspective on how the publishing industry can promote climate awareness and biodiversity preservation within Latin America. In Brazil, a country recognized for its rich biodiversity, publishers have a unique role in fostering environmental consciousness through content and outreach.
Matos highlighted the power of storytelling to drive environmental awareness, and the responsibility of Brazilian publishers to contribute to the global conversation on sustainability. Innovative practices, such as sourcing local materials and collaborating with indigenous communities, represent promising paths for Latin American publishers to reduce their environmental footprint while honoring regional resources.
EJ Hurst’s expertise shared at the Frankfurt Book Fair panel underscores that sustainable publishing is not only possible, it’s imperative. The industry’s environmental impact may seem overwhelming, but through small, strategic changes — like opting for recycled paper, adopting POD where possible, and embedding sustainability into core business values — publishers can make significant strides.
For publishers everywhere, these practical steps offer a blueprint for integrating sustainability into their work, contributing meaningfully to climate action, and fostering a future where publishing is both profitable and planet-positive. The journey toward sustainability starts with individual effort and leads to collaboration. Every small step counts.
