A joint commitment to the environment on Earth Day

Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment – the publishing and exams divisions of the University of Cambridge – have released a new video today introducing their joint target to reduce their energy-related emissions to carbon zero by 2048.

The organisations have set science-based targets and are measuring themselves against the three scopes of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. They have pledged to:

• work sustainably and ethically

• reduce their environmental impact

• seek assurances from their suppliers that forestry products are legally sourced and

• promote their environmental ambitions to their people, suppliers, customers and partners around the world.

Vicky Evans, Head of Sustainability at Cambridge Assessment and Cambridge University Press, said: ‘Earth Day is an opportunity for us to all to think about the things we could do to safeguard the future of the planet and we’re delighted to be sharing our environmental ambitions today. At Cambridge, we recognise there is a climate emergency and we have a responsibility to our customers, teachers, learners and communities to drive sustainable change. Most importantly, we know we need to go on the journey together.’

In recognition of Earth Day, the Press’s Academic department is also making a vast range of related online content –including book chapters and journal articles - free to access. In 2020 the Press won the Independent Publishers’ Guild Sustainability Award, which recognised the concrete actions they have taken to make their operations more sustainable, the powerful combination of their publishing on climate change and sustainability, and the energy and enthusiasm of colleagues. Last year, Cambridge Assessment’s UK exam board OCR announced a proposal for a new GCSE in Natural History to the Department for Education (DfE).The proposed qualification will aim to offer young people the opportunity to engage with nature, as well as give environmental issues more prominence in the curriculum.

Both organisations are participants in the United Nations’ Global Compact - the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative - and support the compact's 10 principles of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Visit the website to find out more and follow our sustainability journey on social media using #CambridgeSustainability.