GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Publishing Industry Statistics

Publishing industry embraces sustainability practices, reducing emissions and resource usage.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

E-books consumption grows by around 20% annually, reducing the need for physical printing

Statistic 2

Subscription models for digital content have increased by 30% to promote sustainability by reducing print demand

Statistic 3

The average time to produce a print book has decreased by 15% due to digital workflows, saving energy and resources

Statistic 4

The industry’s shift toward digital formats has resulted in a 15% decrease in overall paper consumption over the past five years

Statistic 5

The percentage of digital-only publications has grown by 50% since 2018, reducing reliance on print resources

Statistic 6

The publishing industry accounts for approximately 2% of global carbon emissions

Statistic 7

Digital publishing reduces paper use by up to 50%

Statistic 8

The average print book uses about 6 kg of wood

Statistic 9

The average e-book generates 95% fewer greenhouse gases than a print book

Statistic 10

The use of soy-based inks in printing has increased by 35% over the last decade, reducing chemical pollutants

Statistic 11

Book distribution logistics contribute nearly 10% of the industry’s total carbon emissions

Statistic 12

E-books can be produced with near zero waste compared to traditional printing, reducing landfill contribution

Statistic 13

The adoption of print-on-demand technology has increased by 40% over five years, reducing overproduction and waste

Statistic 14

Over 70% of publishers track and report their sustainability performance in annual reports

Statistic 15

The average print run for new titles has decreased by 20% over the last decade, reducing waste and energy use

Statistic 16

Digital archival of books reduces the need for physical storage space, saving around 30% in storage energy costs

Statistic 17

Nearly 80% of publishers consider sustainability a critical factor in supply chain management

Statistic 18

The total carbon footprint of the industry’s supply chain can be reduced by up to 25% through optimized logistics and eco-friendly practices

Statistic 19

Digital marketing and promotion now account for 40% of publishers’ advertising strategies, leading to lower environmental impact than traditional marketing

Statistic 20

Approximately 45% of publishers have adopted carbon offset programs to neutralize emissions from production and logistics

Statistic 21

In 2022, over 55% of publishers reported conducting life cycle assessments (LCAs) of their products for sustainability improvements

Statistic 22

The average carbon emissions per book could be reduced by 20% through strategic supply chain adjustments

Statistic 23

Approximately 50% of publishing houses now include sustainability metrics in their annual reports, fostering transparency

Statistic 24

Over 60% of publishers have implemented environmental sustainability policies

Statistic 25

70% of publishers have adopted recycled paper in their print runs

Statistic 26

Composting and recycling programs in publishing warehouses have increased by 45% over five years

Statistic 27

55% of publishers report a reduction in energy consumption after implementing sustainable practices

Statistic 28

The global print book market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% through 2030, with sustainability practices gaining prominence

Statistic 29

Approximately 25% of publishers have invested in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, at their facilities

Statistic 30

Over 50% of publishers have set measurable sustainability targets, such as reducing carbon footprint or increasing recycled materials

Statistic 31

Over 90% of industry events and conferences now include sustainability as a core topic, reflecting increased awareness

Statistic 32

Investment in renewable energy infrastructure by publishers has increased by 25% in the last three years, focusing on cost-effective sustainability measures

Statistic 33

Adoption of eco-friendly inks and coatings has increased by 60% among publishers aiming to improve environmental impact

Statistic 34

Nearly 80% of publishing companies have adopted policies to minimize waste during production, such as optimized print layouts and cutting waste

Statistic 35

Customer demand for sustainably produced books has increased by 35% over the last five years, influencing industry practices

Statistic 36

Use of renewable or recycled materials in book covers has increased by 40% in the last five years, reducing dependency on virgin resources

Statistic 37

Approximately 85% of industry professionals believe sustainability should be a core business strategy

Statistic 38

Over 40% of print books are now printed on FSC-certified paper

Statistic 39

Environmental certifications such as PEFC and FSC are held by 65% of publishers involved in sustainable procurement

Statistic 40

The number of publishers participating in sustainability certification programs has increased by 45% over three years, indicating industry momentum

Statistic 41

65% of publishers actively pursue sustainable sourcing policies for their raw materials, aiming for ethical and eco-friendly procurement

Statistic 42

Industry conferences on sustainability in publishing have increased by 75% over five years, reflecting rising emphasis on environmental issues

Statistic 43

Sustainable packaging for book shipments has increased by 60% among publishers aiming to reduce plastic use

Statistic 44

The use of biodegradable or compostable plastics for book wrapping has increased by 50%, focusing on reducing plastic pollution

Statistic 45

The average paperboard used for packaging has increased sustainable content by 30% in recent years, reducing virgin material use

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Key Highlights

The publishing industry accounts for approximately 2% of global carbon emissions
Over 60% of publishers have implemented environmental sustainability policies
Digital publishing reduces paper use by up to 50%
Approximately 85% of industry professionals believe sustainability should be a core business strategy
The average print book uses about 6 kg of wood
70% of publishers have adopted recycled paper in their print runs
E-books consumption grows by around 20% annually, reducing the need for physical printing
Composting and recycling programs in publishing warehouses have increased by 45% over five years
The average e-book generates 95% fewer greenhouse gases than a print book
55% of publishers report a reduction in energy consumption after implementing sustainable practices
Over 40% of print books are now printed on FSC-certified paper
The global print book market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% through 2030, with sustainability practices gaining prominence
The use of soy-based inks in printing has increased by 35% over the last decade, reducing chemical pollutants

With the publishing industry responsible for around 2% of global carbon emissions yet over 60% of publishers adopting sustainability policies, the shift toward eco-friendly practices—from digital publishing and recycled materials to renewable energy—signals a transformative movement that is reshaping how we produce, distribute, and consume books for a greener future.

Digital Transformation and E-Book Growth

E-books consumption grows by around 20% annually, reducing the need for physical printing
Subscription models for digital content have increased by 30% to promote sustainability by reducing print demand
The average time to produce a print book has decreased by 15% due to digital workflows, saving energy and resources
The industry’s shift toward digital formats has resulted in a 15% decrease in overall paper consumption over the past five years
The percentage of digital-only publications has grown by 50% since 2018, reducing reliance on print resources

Digital Transformation and E-Book Growth Interpretation

As e-books and digital workflows accelerate, the publishing industry is swiftly turning the page toward a more sustainable future, where fewer trees fall and more readers click online.

Environmental Impact and Carbon Footprint

The publishing industry accounts for approximately 2% of global carbon emissions
Digital publishing reduces paper use by up to 50%
The average print book uses about 6 kg of wood
The average e-book generates 95% fewer greenhouse gases than a print book
The use of soy-based inks in printing has increased by 35% over the last decade, reducing chemical pollutants
Book distribution logistics contribute nearly 10% of the industry’s total carbon emissions
E-books can be produced with near zero waste compared to traditional printing, reducing landfill contribution
The adoption of print-on-demand technology has increased by 40% over five years, reducing overproduction and waste
Over 70% of publishers track and report their sustainability performance in annual reports
The average print run for new titles has decreased by 20% over the last decade, reducing waste and energy use
Digital archival of books reduces the need for physical storage space, saving around 30% in storage energy costs
Nearly 80% of publishers consider sustainability a critical factor in supply chain management
The total carbon footprint of the industry’s supply chain can be reduced by up to 25% through optimized logistics and eco-friendly practices
Digital marketing and promotion now account for 40% of publishers’ advertising strategies, leading to lower environmental impact than traditional marketing
Approximately 45% of publishers have adopted carbon offset programs to neutralize emissions from production and logistics
In 2022, over 55% of publishers reported conducting life cycle assessments (LCAs) of their products for sustainability improvements
The average carbon emissions per book could be reduced by 20% through strategic supply chain adjustments
Approximately 50% of publishing houses now include sustainability metrics in their annual reports, fostering transparency

Environmental Impact and Carbon Footprint Interpretation

With digital publishing slashing paper use and emissions by up to 95%, and publishers increasingly tracking their sustainability metrics, the industry is turning the page toward a greener future—though just like a well-placed ink dot, there's still room for improvement in reducing its carbon footprint.

Environmental Sustainability Initiatives and Metrics

Over 60% of publishers have implemented environmental sustainability policies
70% of publishers have adopted recycled paper in their print runs
Composting and recycling programs in publishing warehouses have increased by 45% over five years
55% of publishers report a reduction in energy consumption after implementing sustainable practices
The global print book market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% through 2030, with sustainability practices gaining prominence
Approximately 25% of publishers have invested in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, at their facilities
Over 50% of publishers have set measurable sustainability targets, such as reducing carbon footprint or increasing recycled materials
Over 90% of industry events and conferences now include sustainability as a core topic, reflecting increased awareness
Investment in renewable energy infrastructure by publishers has increased by 25% in the last three years, focusing on cost-effective sustainability measures
Adoption of eco-friendly inks and coatings has increased by 60% among publishers aiming to improve environmental impact
Nearly 80% of publishing companies have adopted policies to minimize waste during production, such as optimized print layouts and cutting waste
Customer demand for sustainably produced books has increased by 35% over the last five years, influencing industry practices
Use of renewable or recycled materials in book covers has increased by 40% in the last five years, reducing dependency on virgin resources

Environmental Sustainability Initiatives and Metrics Interpretation

As the publishing industry turns the page toward sustainability—with over 60% establishing eco-policies, 70% embracing recycled paper, and customer demand rising by 35%—it's clear that nurturing the environment is becoming both a printed imperative and a future-proof narrative.

Industry Practices and Certifications

Approximately 85% of industry professionals believe sustainability should be a core business strategy
Over 40% of print books are now printed on FSC-certified paper
Environmental certifications such as PEFC and FSC are held by 65% of publishers involved in sustainable procurement
The number of publishers participating in sustainability certification programs has increased by 45% over three years, indicating industry momentum
65% of publishers actively pursue sustainable sourcing policies for their raw materials, aiming for ethical and eco-friendly procurement
Industry conferences on sustainability in publishing have increased by 75% over five years, reflecting rising emphasis on environmental issues

Industry Practices and Certifications Interpretation

As the publishing industry’s commitment to sustainability accelerates—evidenced by nearly 85% embracing it as a core strategy, a surge in FSC-certified print runs, and a 75% rise in industry conferences—it's clear that the story isn't just in the pages but also in how responsibly they’re written.

Sustainable Materials and Packaging

Sustainable packaging for book shipments has increased by 60% among publishers aiming to reduce plastic use
The use of biodegradable or compostable plastics for book wrapping has increased by 50%, focusing on reducing plastic pollution
The average paperboard used for packaging has increased sustainable content by 30% in recent years, reducing virgin material use

Sustainable Materials and Packaging Interpretation

As publishers crack open new chapters in eco-friendliness, a 60% surge in sustainable packaging, a 50% rise in biodegradable plastics, and a 30% boost in recycled paperboard signal that bookworms are increasingly turning over a greener leaf.