Sustainability In The Publishing Industry Statistics 2026

Most media and publishing leaders now expect regulators and customers to demand sustainability reporting. This shift turns environmental goals into measurable compliance and new data systems. Consumer demand and EU packaging rules are accelerating the change.

Key Takeaways

55% of respondents in WWF’s 2023 survey said they would switch brands to those that take more steps to reduce their environmental impact.
87% of global consumers say they want companies to implement sustainable practices, according to the IBM Institute for Business Value (2022).
57% of consumers are willing to change purchasing habits to reduce environmental impact, according to the European Commission’s Special Eurobarometer on climate change (2019).
14% of publishers’ revenues were linked to sustainability-driven products/initiatives in a vendor survey of publishing and media executives (2023).
6.9 million tonnes of paper and paperboard packaging were used in the Netherlands in 2021, with packaging recovery targets tied to circularity goals (OECD data).
65% of investors used ESG criteria in their investment decisions in 2023, driving sustainability reporting demand from companies including media and publishing firms
1.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent were reported to be avoided by recycling efforts globally in IEA’s “Global Energy & CO2” supplemental materials (2023).
61% recycling rate for paper and cardboard was reported in the EU in 2022, per European Commission waste data on packaging waste recycling rates.
38% of greenhouse gas emissions reductions for organizations can be achieved through energy efficiency measures, per IPCC AR6 WGIII mitigation potential synthesis (2022).
28% of respondents said they reduced paper usage by switching to digital workflows, in a 2022 IDC Future Enterprise Resiliency and Spending survey relevant to document-intensive industries.
10% of the cost of printing services is tied to energy and utilities according to industry cost breakdowns used by printing associations (survey-based 2021).
78% of organizations use lifecycle assessment (LCA) or have LCA processes for products/services, according to a 2023 survey by ISO/TR implementation partners (industry research).
1,000+ publishers and partners participate in the UN Global Compact initiative framework relevant to sustainability reporting (reported in UNGC annual highlights 2023).
24% of marketers plan to increase investment in sustainable packaging initiatives in 2024, according to a 2023 survey by McKinsey and Wunderman Thompson (marketing and sustainability).
EU producers and importers must comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations for packaging, driving packaging sustainability action across publishing materials and printers serving EU markets

Most consumers and regulators demand credible sustainability in publishing, pushing brands, reporting, and paper use to change.

01 · Category

Consumer Demand4 stats

55% of respondents in WWF’s 2023 survey said they would switch brands to those that take more steps to reduce their environmental impact.

87% of global consumers say they want companies to implement sustainable practices, according to the IBM Institute for Business Value (2022).

57% of consumers are willing to change purchasing habits to reduce environmental impact, according to the European Commission’s Special Eurobarometer on climate change (2019).

2.7x higher odds of purchase intent were found among consumers exposed to credible sustainability messaging in a meta-analysis of sustainability marketing (peer-reviewed, 2020).

Interpretation

Consumer Demand Interpretation

Consumer Demand for sustainability is clearly strong, with major surveys showing 87% of global consumers want sustainable practices and 55% would switch brands for lower environmental impact, signaling that publishers who communicate and deliver credible sustainability can better convert this interest into purchase intent.

02 · Category

Market Size4 stats

14% of publishers’ revenues were linked to sustainability-driven products/initiatives in a vendor survey of publishing and media executives (2023).

6.9 million tonnes of paper and paperboard packaging were used in the Netherlands in 2021, with packaging recovery targets tied to circularity goals (OECD data).

65% of investors used ESG criteria in their investment decisions in 2023, driving sustainability reporting demand from companies including media and publishing firms

USD 1.7 trillion of sustainable investment assets were reported in the US in 2022, reflecting capital flows that increase pressure for sustainability progress in sectors including publishing and media

Interpretation

Market Size Interpretation

In the market size view of sustainability in publishing, the fact that 14% of publishers’ revenues are tied to sustainability-driven initiatives signals growing commercial traction, alongside broader capital momentum such as USD 1.7 trillion in US sustainable investment assets in 2022 and 65% of investors using ESG criteria in 2023 that together are expanding the financial demand for sustainability.

03 · Category

Environmental Impact11 stats

1.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent were reported to be avoided by recycling efforts globally in IEA’s “Global Energy & CO2” supplemental materials (2023).

61% recycling rate for paper and cardboard was reported in the EU in 2022, per European Commission waste data on packaging waste recycling rates.

38% of greenhouse gas emissions reductions for organizations can be achieved through energy efficiency measures, per IPCC AR6 WGIII mitigation potential synthesis (2022).

0.5 kg CO2e per kilogram of paper is a commonly cited midpoint climate intensity range for graphic paper in LCA aggregations; printers use such factors for carbon accounting (peer-reviewed LCA review, 2020).

20% reduction in carbon emissions from switching to FSC-certified paper has been reported in LCAs compiled for responsible sourcing decisions in publishing supply chains (peer-reviewed 2018).

6% of global electricity consumption is linked to data centers and data transmission, creating demand for lower-carbon digital publishing operations; figure used in IEA tracking (2024).

23% of total solid waste in the US is paper and paperboard waste, per US EPA materials flow data (2018).

23% of global greenhouse-gas emissions come from food systems, and paper-based packaging is part of materials used within supply chains that drive upstream emissions—supporting the importance of reducing material intensity across publishing-adjacent packaging markets

2.0% of global electricity demand is consumed by data centers and associated infrastructure in 2022, providing context for the carbon footprint of digital publishing operations

22% of paper mills globally are using some share of renewable energy, reflecting the transition potential in paper production that underpins print publishing supply chains

The proportion of electricity generated from renewables in the EU reached 22.5% in 2022, influencing the carbon intensity of printing and processing operations that rely on grid power

Interpretation

Environmental Impact Interpretation

Across the Environmental Impact data, recycling and efficiency are the clearest leverage points, with the EU reaching a 61% paper and cardboard recycling rate in 2022 and organizations potentially achieving 38% of greenhouse gas cuts through energy efficiency measures.

Sustainability In IndustrySustainability In The Financial Industry Statistics

04 · Category

Cost Analysis2 stats

28% of respondents said they reduced paper usage by switching to digital workflows, in a 2022 IDC Future Enterprise Resiliency and Spending survey relevant to document-intensive industries.

10% of the cost of printing services is tied to energy and utilities according to industry cost breakdowns used by printing associations (survey-based 2021).

Interpretation

Cost Analysis Interpretation

From a cost analysis perspective, the data suggests that cutting paper through digital workflows can reduce paper use as reported by 28% of respondents while energy and utilities still account for 10% of printing service costs, indicating both materials and operating expenses are key levers for sustainability savings.

05 · Category

Industry Trends4 stats

78% of organizations use lifecycle assessment (LCA) or have LCA processes for products/services, according to a 2023 survey by ISO/TR implementation partners (industry research).

1,000+ publishers and partners participate in the UN Global Compact initiative framework relevant to sustainability reporting (reported in UNGC annual highlights 2023).

24% of marketers plan to increase investment in sustainable packaging initiatives in 2024, according to a 2023 survey by McKinsey and Wunderman Thompson (marketing and sustainability).

84% of respondents in a 2022 survey by Gartner said sustainability reporting will increasingly be required by regulators and customers, increasing compliance and data management work in media and publishing.

Interpretation

Industry Trends Interpretation

With 84% of Gartner respondents expecting regulators and customers to increasingly require sustainability reporting and 78% of organizations already using lifecycle assessments, the publishing industry is clearly shifting toward stricter, data driven sustainability practices.

06 · Category

Policy & Regulation2 stats

EU producers and importers must comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations for packaging, driving packaging sustainability action across publishing materials and printers serving EU markets

EU packaging recycling targets include 65% of packaging waste recycled by weight by 2025 under the revised packaging objectives framework, influencing circular packaging strategies for print production

Interpretation

Policy & Regulation Interpretation

Under Policy and Regulation, the EU is tightening sustainability requirements by mandating Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging and setting a clear 65% recycling-by-weight target for 2025 under revised packaging objectives.

report visual · Comparison

Sustainability demand among consumers and investors

High shares of consumers and investors are pushing for sustainable practices and ESG criteria—supporting rising sustainability reporting and action across publishing and media.

87% of global consumers say they want companies to implement sustainable practices, according to the IBM Institute for B87%

84% of respondents in a 2022 survey by Gartner said sustainability reporting will increasingly be required by regulators

84%

78% of organizations use lifecycle assessment (LCA) or have LCA processes for products/services, according to a 2023 sur

78%

65% of investors used ESG criteria in their investment decisions in 2023, driving sustainability reporting demand from c

65%

source-verifiedibm.com · ussif.org · iso.org · gartner.com2023

Reference

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APA

Marcus Afolabi. (2026, February 13). Sustainability In The Publishing Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-publishing-industry-statistics

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Marcus Afolabi. "Sustainability In The Publishing Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-publishing-industry-statistics.

Chicago

Marcus Afolabi. 2026. "Sustainability In The Publishing Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-publishing-industry-statistics.