Green Printing - The New Bottom Line
As a result of their efforts, over 25 of Canada's leading publishers have committed to phasing out paper made with ancient forest fiber. Last year, two million Canadian books were printed on papers that preserve ancient forests.
Markets Initiative's success has helped build momentum in for the Green Press Initiative (GPI) in the United States. So far 15 U.S. publishers have committed to phasing out paper made with old growth fiber, and to maximize the use of post-consumer recycled fiber.
These forward-thinking publishers include Lantern Books, Island Press, New World Library, World Resources Institute, Parallax Press, Word Bank, Chelsea Green, Hampton Roads, New Market Press, Snow Lion Publications, Cornell University Press and others.
The majority of small and mid-sized publishers contacted by the Green Press Initiative pledged to join the movement or are planning to do so, according to GPI officials. Conversations are still in the early stages with multi-national media companies and publishing houses.
New SEC rules mandating registered investment advisers to adopt proxy voting policies and procedures are likely to increase the influence environmental groups and socially responsible investment funds have on publishers' strategic priorities.
Environmental activist groups are not the only influencers publishers should be paying attention to. Some of the world's largest publishers can expect a more active influence on corporate governance priorities and strategies related to the environment, according to a report published by the Rose Foundation.
The report presents compelling evidence connecting environmental performance with positive influence on financial performance. It finds institutional investors have a fiduciary responsibility to take an active role in setting corporate governance priorities with regard to environmental performance.
Raising awareness of the supply chain's environmental impact, and implementing systems to manage that will be a challenge for many publishers. The stakes are high, but the rewards for leadership are great.
