Jude Gates, Operations Director at Faber, has been appointed as the new chair of the Publishers Association’s Sustainability Taskforce. Gates succeeds Siena Parker, former Social Impact Director at Penguin Random House, and Helen Griggs, Global Director Environment, Procurement & Supply at Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Established in 2020, the Sustainability Taskforce plays a pivotal role in promoting environmental sustainability within the publishing industry. Its flagship initiative, Publishing Declares, has garnered nearly 200 signatories across the UK book and journal sector, demonstrating a collective commitment to climate action.
In addition to the Publishing Declares pledge, the Publishers Association has developed bespoke tools to support publishers in adopting sustainable practices. These include the Carbon Calculator, enabling publishers to monitor their carbon emissions, and the Materials Matrix, which assesses the environmental impact of commonly used materials. These tools empower publishers to make informed decisions about their operations and materials choices.
As part of its strategic focus, the Sustainability Taskforce surveyed Publishing Declares signatories to identify priorities and business activities. A panel discussion titled ‘Publishing Declares: 3 Years On, Where is the Industry Now?’ was held at the London Book Fair earlier this year. The panel explored various topics, including empowering staff with knowledge, challenges in sourcing sustainable materials, industry collaboration, and data challenges.
Under Jude Gates' leadership, the Sustainability Taskforce aims to empower signatories to work towards their climate action goals through targeted training initiatives. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, the Taskforce seeks to drive continuous improvement in environmental sustainability across the publishing industry.
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