Book Industry Environmental Council Sets Aggressive Climate Goals for U.S. Book Industry

1. Book Industry Environmental Council Sets Aggressive Climate Goals for U.S. Book Industry April 16, 2009

2. Overview • Book Industry Environmental Council has set a goal of reducing book industry greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020 • Intent of reducing emissions 80% by 2050 • When 2020 goal is achieved emissions will be reduced by approximately 2.5 million metric tons • Equivalent to removing 450,000 cars from the roads

3. About the BIEC • More than 40 participating companies and organizations—approximately 60% of market share • Coordinated by Green Press Initiative and Book Industry Study Group • Currently focused on 3 priorities • Tracking industry’s environmental progress • Developing eco-label for publishers • Setting industry goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

4. Structure of the BIEC • Council previously chaired by Random House • Subcommittees for each of the 3 priorities • Subcommittees develop proposals which must be accepted by majority vote of full council

5. Climate Impacts of the U.S. Book Industry • Book Industry responsible for 12.4 million metric tons of emissions each year • Paper is 4th largest industrial source of GHG emissions in the U.S. • Paper produces GHG emissions throughout its lifecycle

6. Source: Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings from the U.S. Book Industry

7. The BIEC Climate Goal • Industry-wide goal of a 20% reduction from 2006 levels by 2020 • Equivalent to approximately 2.5 million metric tons of carbon* • Intent of reducing emissions 80% by 2050 • Absolute goal: not dependent on sales, revenue, etc. *Using figures from Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings from the U.S. Book Industry

8. Why 20% by 2020? • Based on need and precedent • 20% by 2020/80% by 2050 is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change at a societal level • Committee examined international, national, regional, local and corporate goals • Goal is both achievable and meaningful

9. Getting to a 20% Reduction • Council felt that this goal was meaningful and achievable • Many possible paths to achieve goal • Will likely involve increasing the use of recycled paper, using paper more efficiently, reducing returns, and preventing books from entering landfills

10. Getting to a 20% Reduction • At 2006 sales levels, 20% reduction could be achieved by: • Reducing the portion of books returned from 25% to 20% • Increasing average PCW recycled content in books from 5% to 30% for all paper types • Reduce portion of books in landfills by 30% • Baseline could change depending on final decision regarding forest carbon accounting

11. Why Now? • Credibility with customers and consumers • Meeting goal requires efficient use of resources which has additional environmental and economic benefits • New studies suggest immediate action is necessary to avoid worst consequences of climate change • Could inspire other industries to take similar action • Equivalent of removing 450,000 cars from the road each year

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