Today Springer Nature Group, the global publisher of brands such as Nature and Scientific American, launches its latest annual Sustainable Business Report, Driven by Discovery1. The report, which includes environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance data, shows the publisher’s increased support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and action on climate in 2022.
Highlights include:
- 800,000 pieces of SDG-related research published since 2015; approximately 1 in 5 articles published by Springer Nature over the last seven years were SDG related.
- Tracking how Springer Nature research is used in SDG policymaking for the first time; 1,400 SDG related policy documents cited Springer Nature research in 2022.
- 50% of 3,000 surveyed authors, editors, librarians and other users of its content agreed that the publisher is advancing the SDGs.
- Business flights remain well below pre-pandemic levels and Springer Nature offices report sustained reductions in emissions.
- Home working and commuting offset for the first time, to reflect established hybrid working practices2.
- Colleagues made a significant difference to the publisher’s sustainability activity last year. 95% of employees completed sustainable business training modules. Five new national chapters of the volunteer Green Office Network were created. A global SDG festival was held involving hundreds of colleagues who took collective steps to reduce their personal carbon emissions.
Commenting on the report, CEO Frank Vrancken Peters said:
“It is the people at Springer Nature that make this such an inspiring workplace. As colleagues returned to our offices, we were reminded that there is just nothing like the energy that you can get from being in a room of colleagues working with a common purpose. As we work to provide ever better services to researchers, educators and healthcare practitioners, we hope to build on this positive momentum and create a ripple effect for wider society and the planet.”
Director of Sustainability and Climate Action Officer, Thea Sherer said:
“Driven by Discovery reflects the work and commitment across the organisation in delivering on our vision to accelerate solutions to the world’s urgent challenges. We continue to make good progress as a sustainable business, including a strong focus on developing and delivering our net zero roadmap. We are also seeing colleagues making sustainable choices in the way they work and embedding climate conscious practices across our entire business.”
Read the full Sustainable Business Report 2022 on our Taking Responsibility webpage and visit theDriven by Discovery microsite for the report’s key messages.Alongside emissions related to offices and warehouses, fleet and flights.
