Study Measure Publishing’s Carbon Footprint at 12.4 Million Tons  

-- Publishers Weekly, 3/10/2008 7:41:00 AM

The U.S. publishing industry emits over 12.4 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, or about 8.85 pounds per book, according to the findings in the just-released report, Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings from the U.S. Book Industry. The study, coordinated by the Book Industry Study Group and the Green Press Initiative, looked to establish industry benchmarks related to publishing’s impact on the environment. The cutting of trees for paper was found to have the most significant impact on the industry’s carbon footprint, although the report says the use of recycled paper and fibers has increased over the last several years.

For full coverage of the report and what publishers, booksellers and manufacturers are doing to become more environmentally friendly, check out this week’s print edition of PW.