Commercial, GHG Emissions, Sourcing Renewables  -  February 26, 2020

Bertelsmann commits to carbon neutrality by 2030

Bertelsmann, a media company that includes Penguin Random House, announced Feb. 17 a new commitment to reducing its operational greenhouse gases by 50% and be carbon neutral by 2030.

The German-based media and education conglomerate plans to achieve carbon neutrality by offsetting the remaining 50% of emissions after cutting 50% of those generated by their locations, by employee mobility and by the manufacture of their products, which totalled one million tons of CO2 is 2018. Other emissions from within their supply chain will also be addressed and reduced.

The company also plans to switch to 100% renewable electricity to achieve this drop in emissions by installing new solar systems, improving energy efficiency and exploring alternative mobility concepts.

“Protecting the environment is part of our corporate values, the Bertelsmann Essentials,” Chairman and CEO Thomas Rabe said in a statement. “With our decision to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, we are taking responsibility in the battle against climate change and global warming. In this connection, Bertelsmann has become one of around 800 companies worldwide to join the Science Based Target Initiative. The initiative supports companies in setting scientifically sound climate targets.”

Bertelsmann plans to offset the remaining unavoidable 50% of emissions through in-house climate protection projects and by purchasing carbon credits.