The group engaged consultants Ecograf before deciding to use the ClimateCalc tool to track, measure and certify its Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, “with the aim of identifying a path to Scope 3 GHG reduction”. 

ClimateCalc is a joint initiative of industry associations across Europe that come under the Intergraf umbrella, including the BPIF in the UK.

CPI sustainability lead Mariah Nicol said she was excited about what ClimateCalc could do for the group, and how it would help the business understand the carbon emissions generated during book manufacturing and ways it can potentially work with publishers to reduce the impact. 

“We’re using it as a springboard to create a CPI Climate Client Report. This new reporting tool is programmed for release by the end of 2023,” she explained. 

“For those customers who want to sign up, we will be able to run reports showing emissions generated when producing publishers’ orders for a defined period, based on the ClimateCalc standard. Armed with this data, customers will be able to adapt or use it for their own journey to reach the Paris Climate Agreement targets.”

Scope 1 and 2 emissions are already tracked across CPI’s 16 production sites across Europe. It produces more than 450m books a year. 

Nicol said that action plans for clients could include, for example, the type of materials used and choice of finishing treatments, transportation of books, and alternative supply chain models such as automatic stock replenishment and zero inventory.

CPI is also working with Grakom, the Danish association that is one of the ClimateCalc partners, to define a European standard for book production and services. 

CPI is exhibiting at this week’s London Book Fair where it is sponsoring some of the sessions in the Sustainability Lounge, including a panel discussion about working with publishers.