Sustainability has become a growing priority across the publishing industry. Publishers are increasingly expected to demonstrate environmental responsibility through responsible sourcing, climate action, and transparent sustainability reporting.
Many publishers have already taken meaningful steps. Certified paper from sustainably managed forests, print-on-demand technologies, reduced waste, and more efficient production processes are now common across much of the industry. In addition, paper buyers now are increasingly selecting suppliers with a lower product carbon footprint.
Yet one important challenge remains: What should publishers do about the carbon emissions that cannot be eliminated?
Several publishers globally are already using Carbon Balanced Paper as part of their sustainability strategies, helping connect paper procurement with measurable climate and conservation outcomes.
Paper can be a significant source of emissions
For many publishers, paper represents one of the largest environmental impacts associated with a printed product.
The carbon footprint of printing papers varies depending on factors such as paper grade, energy sources, manufacturing location and transportation distances. The carbon footprint of paper can range from 100 to over 2,000 kilograms of CO2e per metric ton of paper.
What does that mean in practice?
Assuming a North American average carbon footprint of approximately 900 kg CO2e per metric ton of paper, a publisher purchasing 10,000 metric tons of paper annually could be associated with approximately 9,000 metric tons of CO2e emissions from paper production alone. A larger educational or commercial publisher using 50,000 metric tons of paper per year could generate approximately 45,000 metric tons of paper-related emissions.
For organizations measuring Scope 3 emissions, paper procurement is often one of the most visible opportunities for environmental improvement.
Sustainability expectations continue to grow
Across the publishing sector, sustainability goals are becoming more ambitious.
Many publishers now publicly report environmental performance and are setting targets related to greenhouse gas emissions, responsible forestry and sustainable procurement. For example, publishers such as Penguin Random House and HarperCollins
Authors, readers, educational institutions, investors, and employees increasingly expect publishers to demonstrate measurable environmental progress.
While reducing emissions remains the priority, publishers are also looking for ways to address the impacts that remain after efficiency improvements and responsible sourcing initiatives have been implemented.
From measurement to action
The first step is understanding the environmental footprint of paper and print.
Using recognized methodologies such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO 14067 Carbon Footprint of Products Standard, publishers can estimate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with paper manufacturing, transportation, printing, and distribution.Once those emissions are quantified, organizations can evaluate additional actions that support climate objectives.
Carbon Balanced Paper provides one practical solution.
Through Carbon Balanced Paper, the emissions associated with paper consumption are calculated and balanced through support for forest conservation and restoration projects delivered in partnership with World Land Trust.
The program works alongside existing FSC®, PEFC™, and SFI® certified sourcing programs and does not require publishers to change paper grades, suppliers, print quality, or production workflows.
Why forest conservation matters
For publishers, sustainability is increasingly about more than carbon.
Forest ecosystems play a critical role in climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, water protection, and ecosystem resilience. According to the United Nations Environment Program, forests support biodiversity, regulate water systems, stabilize soils, and play a critical role in climate regulation. Protecting forests helps maintain these benefits while reducing pressure on threatened habitats.
World Land Trust projects supported through Carbon Balanced Paper have helped protect and restore forests in countries including Ecuador, Vietnam, Mexico, Guatemala, and Uganda.
These are not just carbon projects.
For example, the Chocó forests of Ecuador are recognized as one of the most biologically rich regions on Earth. They provide habitat for jaguars, spectacled bears, monkeys, amphibians, and hundreds of bird species. Protecting these forests helps conserve biodiversity while maintaining important carbon storage.
This creates a strong alignment with the sustainability objectives of many publishers, including:
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Addressing Scope 3 emissions
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Supporting climate action
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Protecting critical forests
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Conserving biodiversity
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Strengthening responsible procurement programs
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Supporting ESG and sustainability reporting
Communicating sustainability to readers
Publishers also need credible ways to communicate environmental action.
More than 5,000 organizations worldwide have used Carbon Balanced Paper, including publishers, printers, universities, retailers, charities, and consumer brands. These organizations can display the World Land Trust Carbon Balanced Paper logo on qualifying publications and marketing materials.
The logo provides a clear and visible signal that a publication supports climate action through forest conservation and restoration projects. It also helps communicate environmental leadership in a way that readers, authors, educators, and customers can easily understand.
For many publishers, the logo serves as a practical sustainability message that complements existing responsible sourcing certifications.
A practical step toward sustainable publishing
Sustainable publishing requires a combination of responsible sourcing, efficient production, emissions reduction, and environmental stewardship.
While publishers continue making progress in reducing the environmental footprint of books, magazines, educational materials, and other printed products, paper remains an important source of environmental impact.
Carbon Balanced Paper offers a practical way to address those impacts while supporting the protection of important forests and biodiversity around the world.
By linking paper purchases to measurable conservation outcomes, publishers can strengthen sustainability programs, support climate action, protect valuable ecosystems, and clearly communicate their environmental commitment to customers and stakeholders.
Contact CBPNA at info@carbonbalancedpaperna.
