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BMG owner Bertelsmann aims to be climate neutral by 2030

By | Published on Monday 24 February 2020

BMG

BMG owner Bertelsmann last week announced that it had set itself the target of becoming ‘climate neutral’ by 2030. It seeks to achieve that aim by cutting the carbon footprint of its operations and staff travel by 50% and then offsetting the remaining greenhouse gas emissions.

The German media and entertainment group’s CEO Thomas Rabe said in a statement: “Protecting the environment is part of our corporate values, the Bertelsmann Essentials. With our decision to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, we are taking responsibility in the battle against climate change and global warming. In this connection, Bertelsmann has become one of around 800 companies worldwide to join the Science Based Target Initiative. The initiative supports companies in setting scientifically sound climate targets”.

Slashing the company’s emissions will be achieved by switching to 100% green electricity, installing additional solar systems, improving energy efficiency, seeking greener travel options where possible, and working with suppliers in its print and digital supply chains to ensure these green policies are applied across the board.

In addition to the BMG music company, Bertelsmann also owns broadcaster RTL and its production division Fremantle, book publisher Penguin Random House, magazine outfit Gruner + Jahr and logistics firm Arvato, as well as other printing, educational and investment units. The entire group will work towards the climate neutral ambition, although given each division has a different starting point – depending on the nature of its operations – each “will take the path to climate neutrality at different paces”.

Rabe continued: “Bertelsmann is a diversified company. This is reflected in our goal, because the diversity of Bertelsmann’s businesses requires different, bespoke solutions. In our planning, we assume that individual divisions will achieve the goal of climate neutrality more quickly than others. The first few units, such as the corporate centre in Gütersloh, will already achieve climate neutrality this year, others in the following years. In 2030, Bertelsmann will be a climate neutral company”.



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