Aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 500,000 tons by 2030

German-based media, services and education company Bertelsmann announced a new environmental goal to become “climate neutral” by 2030. The company’s plan involves a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% from its operations – including the company’s locations, manufacturing and employees’ mobility – by that time, compared with 2018 levels. Remaining emissions will be offset.

Bertelsmann provided several initiatives the company will be undertaking in order to achieve its targets, including:

• Switching to 100 percent green electricity
• Installing additional solar systems,
• Improving energy efficiency
• Using alternative mobility concepts

Additionally, Bertelsmann will work in cooperation with business partners to reduce emissions from the print and digital products’ supply chains, and will support customers in reducing product-related emissions. In all, Bertelsmann will eliminate more than half a million tons of CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels.

Commenting on Bertelsmann’s new commitments, Chairman and CEO Thomas Rabe said:

“Protecting the environment is part of our corporate values, the Bertelsmann Essentials. 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 has a diverse portfolio of businesses, including book publisher Penguin Random House, magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr, music company BMG, and several printing properties under Bertelsmann printing group, among others. Due to the diverse nature of its businesses, each will take their own approach and timeline to reach the company’s environmental targets.  According to Rabe:

“Bertelsmann is a diversified company. This is reflected in our goal, because the diversity of Bertelsmann’s businesses requires different, bespoke solutions. In our planning, we assume that individual divisions will achieve the goal of climate neutrality more quickly than others. The first few units, such as the Corporate Center in Gütersloh, will already achieve climate neutrality this year, others in the following years. In 2030, Bertelsmann will be a climate neutral company.”