Wolfgang Blau, Global Chief Operating Officer & President, International, Condé Nast said: “At Condé Nast we believe that the health of people, of our businesses and of the planet are intertwined. We cannot care for one and ignore the other. We also think that the credibility of our environmental journalism depends on our willingness as a company to improve our own operations and supply chains in ways that dramatically reduce our carbon footprint and waste. Our five-year sustainability strategy shows the commitment of our teams on all continents to lead by example, to work with our industry partners and to use the global influence of our brands to inspire collective action." 

Condé Nast’s five-year sustainability strategy includes all areas of the business, with the ultimate goal of mitigating its global environmental footprint through emission reductions and carbon offsets when reduction is not possible. The company also aims to influence consumers to take practical climate action, and it will collaborate with partners to foster positive changes across the supply chain. The strategy and related commitments involve four key areas of focus: 

Reducing emissions: Condé Nast aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, starting with a 20% reduction in corporate emissions and 10% reduction in supply chain by the end of 2021. In doing this, Condé Nast will become one of the first publishing companies to begin accounting for the environmental footprint of its digital value chain.

Engaging suppliers: Condé Nast will work with partners across its supply chain to foster a more sustainable publishing sector, by revising its procurement approaches and foster industry-led initiatives. This will start with the transition to more sustainable materials throughout the production process, as well as the adoption of high performing alternatives. 

Using more sustainable materials: Condé Nast will transition to 100% internationally certified paper by the end of 2021. It will also remove all fossil-based, non-recyclable plastic packaging from publications across all Condé Nast markets by 2025, as part of its pledge to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastics Economy Global Commitment.

Becoming a voice for change: Condé Nast aims for its brands to be recognised as leading advocates for sustainability, setting the standard for reporting on issues of climate change and responsible fashion. As part of this, it launches the Sustainable Fashion Glossary, the authoritative global resource for understanding sustainable fashion and the fashion industry’s role in the climate emergency. The company will also continue to work with industry partners as part of the UNFCCC’s Fashion for Global Climate Action initiative, with the shared goal of promoting broader climate action. 

Sustainability Assessment Results

Condé Nast’s first greenhouse gas emissions and materials assessment covers corporate facilities across its 12 Condé Nast markets, the full supply chain and the usage of paper and plastic packaging in magazine production. The assessment unveiled:

• In 2018, Condé Nast generated a GHG emission of ~341,233 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). 8% was corporate and 92% was supply chain.

– 96% of the 35,000 tonnes of paper used in 2018 was fully certified via the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

– 440  tonnes of single-use plastic were used in magazine packaging in 2018. 

Condé Nast’s detailed sustainability assessment is available at condenast.com/sustainability-strategy. 

In 2019, Condé Nast became the first media company to sign the Fashion Industry Charter for Global Climate Action and made pledges as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastics Economy Global Commitment.