'We can’t solve a problem like climate change without an honest accounting of how much we need to do and what obstacles we need to overcome.' – Bill Gates, How To Avoid a Climate Disaster
With the climate crisis as pressing as ever, it is up to all of us to do what we can to help. For businesses and individuals, a big part of that is trying to lower our carbon emissions. Before we can determine where opportunities for improvement lie, however, we must first know where we stand.
At the beginning of 2022, Penguin Random House ANZ (PRH ANZ) conducted our first-ever carbon emissions analysis through an independent third party. Together, we generated a report outlining our 2021 carbon footprint, covering the direct (the things we have immediate control over) and indirect (upstream and downstream supply chain) emissions of PRH ANZ.
Unsurprisingly, indirect transport emissions are the largest contributor to our footprint, accounting for 63% of our emissions – with a significant amount of our inbound international freight delivered by sea and air. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix; reducing our indirect transport emissions will require a long-term shift in production. Nevertheless, it’s something we’re working towards and hope to make progress on over the next few years.
While the changes in PRH ANZ's production will significantly reduce our carbon footprint, we nevertheless want to make an immediate change. Using data collected from the report, we have determined that the next-best issue to tackle was direct emissions – most of which come from energy usage and waste. By the end of 2023, PRH ANZ will be transitioning to 100% renewable energy across all offices and distribution centres. We will also focus efforts on proper waste disposal and limiting packaging.
As of September 2022, we have started an employee offset program, which means for each new employee hired, we will offset their average annual work-related emissions. This will be done through Greenfleet, roughly equating to 10 tonnes of CO2e per employee per year. This is just the beginning of our carbon-offsetting approach.
From this time forward, PRH ANZ will conduct an annual carbon emissions analysis, allowing us to track our progress and continuously seek out opportunities for improvement. Detailed information on our emissions and our plan can be found in Our Sustainability Story report.
Stay tuned for future reports and our progress.
As part of our ongoing commitment to support conservation and environmental initiatives, Penguin Random House ANZ will provide funding to the Penguin Foundation.
Learn how Penguin Random House ANZ is working with FedEx and StarTrack with a shared focus on leading the way in sustainability.
At Penguin Random House, we believe it’s essential to examine our environmental impact. Meet our Green Team, a group of employees who hold us all accountable and help us take on more eco-friendly initiatives.
We chatted with our partners at United Book Distributors (UBD) to find out what's being done to make our shipping and distribution practices more environmentally-friendly. See what Matt O'Brien, Operations Director at UBD had to say.
As part of our efforts to become a greener workplace, we've recently appointed our very own Penguin Random House Sustainability Officer. Keep reading to meet Jordan, find out what inspired her to take on this role, and learn about her favourite books.
See the targets that PRH achieved in 2023 and our plans for the future.
Volunteers from PRH and UBD participated in a day of tree-planting to help future-proof the Summerland Peninsula from the increasing threat of fire.
In celebration of World Penguin Day 2023, check out these 10 fun facts about a native Australian penguin species, the little penguin.
Penguin Random House AU (PRH AU) and United Book Distributors (UBD) employees set out to collect rubbish for Clean Up Australia Day 2023. Read all about our adventures and see photos of our clean-ups in action.
We’re proud to announce that Penguin Random House and United Book Distributors have achieved our target for recycled content well ahead of schedule.
To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Where is the Green Sheep, Penguin Random House Australia will publish a special gold-foiled collector’s edition, available in Australian stores from 30 April 2024.
Check out the Penguin Random House books that have been shortlisted for the ABIAs in 2024. The winners will be announced on 9 May 2024.