Article
When will the book industry start to take climate change seriously?
The annual Swedish Book Fair in Gothenburg has ended and the climate crisis is more relevant than ever. Yet a central question is absent: why aren't books consistently printed on recycled paper?
Two years ago, we wrote a debate article in the Swedish evening paper Aftonbladet where we urged publishers to seriously change to sustainable production. Then, as now, there is silence about the publishers' own production at the Book Fair, even though the climate crisis is even more acute. Two years later, change is not only desirable but necessary.
The fact that publishers continue to produce books using newly produced paper is unacceptable when there are alternatives. In 2022, the book industry presented a joint climate initiative, which completely lacked analysis about the emissions caused by newly produced paper. Why is the book industry so slow to adopt sustainable solutions, when other industries such as fashion and packaging are switching to recycled materials?
OLIKA publishing, together with partners such as ClimateHero and We Don't Have Time, have shown that change is possible. By completely switching to recycled paper, OLIKA has succeeded in reducing its climate footprint by around 30%, from 0.7 to 0.5 kg of carbon dioxide per book. This improvement only includes efficiency gains in reusing paper fiber instead of cutting down forests.
But it is about more than showing green climate figures in reports. If the printed book is to continue to live in symbiosis with a more climate-friendly society, we need to let more trees remain as forests and continue to capture carbon dioxide year after year. It also means that existing trees can be used for other climate solutions where there is not as clear and good an alternative as in the book industry.
In 2023, 23 million printed books were sold in Sweden. Printing on newly produced paper means that approximately 1 tree is cut down for every 70 books that are printed, while the fossil emissions per book are approximately 0.2 kg lower per book (based on OLIKA's results) when printing on recycled paper. If 100% of the book industry changed, it could mean (0.2 x 23 million/1000 =) 4,600 tons of lower fossil climate emissions per year, as well as (23 million/ 70) = 328,000 trees saved.
Let the Book Fair become the arena for change
It is worrying that the issue of sustainable book production is constantly being overlooked. In 2022, the book fair had "Climate Crisis" as one of its themes. Unfortunately, the spotlight was not directed towards the publishers. This year, the fair is organized for the 40th time, and many of us love to visit it to celebrate literature. But as the biggest book industry event of the year, its organizers also need to help address the industry's future challenges. Arguments about higher costs or that recycled paper would be of lower quality are no longer reasonable. Consumers demand sustainability, and the technology to create high-quality books with recycled paper exists. We have reached a tipping point where we can no longer continue to praise the book without asking the question: how are all these books produced?
As book publishers, climate actors and sustainability advocates, we know that change is possible. The book industry has a unique opportunity to lead the way towards a greener future. It is time that all publishers start discussing their climate impact openly and honestly. Tell us about how and where the books are produced, with which climate certificates and on which paper. By highlighting good examples and challenges from the industry, the Book Fair can drive development forward and support publishers who are at the forefront.
We urge the organizers of the Book Fair to include this issue in their programs and create a platform for the publishers to take an active role in the climate fight.
Printing books on recycled paper is not only a symbolic act, but a concrete step towards a more sustainable future. Together we can create a book industry that is both literary and environmentally sustainable.
Signed by:
Marie Tomicic, CEO, OLIKA Publishing
Robert Sabelström, Founder and CEO, ClimateHero
Adam Wallin, Head of Climate Dialogue, We Don't Have Time
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4 w
... and U can even take it to the next sustainability level - only eBook as I did with my novel Anders-Lennarts Liv & Leverne (🇸🇪) and my essay AI't
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5 w
Great job Adam 👏
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5 w
If other industries can make sustainability a priority, it’s time for publishers to do the same. Books should be both literary and eco-friendly