In the first major industry-wide environmental initiative in several years, the Book Industry Study Group has announced its participation in the International Green Book Supply Chain Alliance. Other alliance members are BookNet Canada (BNC) and the U.K.-based Book Industry Communications (BIC). The alliance, BISG said, will engage in information sharing, joint planning, environmental events, and other initiatives.

BIC executive director Karina Urquhart said all three members of the alliance are well positioned to help the industry lower its environmental impact. “It is in the supply chain that the most significant changes can be made by the global book industry to eliminate waste and reduce its impact on the environment,” she said in a statement. “It is vital that international supply chain organizations collaborate, and the U.S, U.K. and Canada are set to provide leadership in this critical area.”

The alliance members will create its agenda in concert with our members and national book communities. “The book supply chain is the reason our respective organizations were formed,” BookNet Canada CEO Noah Genner said in a statement. “Addressing the environmental impact of that supply chain builds on both our interest and expertise.”

While the alliance will be jointly led by BIC, BNC, and BISG, all three organizations plan to welcome support from other international bodies. BISG executive director Brian O’Leary observed: “We’re interested in bringing together companies and people with diverse perspectives on the issues and opportunities in front of us. Amplifying the good work of others is a core strategy for BISG and this alliance.”

Preliminary discussions have identified several opportunities to collaborate, including:

  • Collecting and sharing best practice information, with links to any applicable standards
  • Publishing environmental news of relevance to the book industry
  • Conducting environmental research, with an opportunity to align studies
  • Offering a central resource for environmental information and ideas
  • Hosting global green book supply chain events
  • Developing an annual Green Global Supply Chain award
  • Testing the idea of a Global Green Book Supply Chain accreditation
  • Collaborating to develop a united green program of work.