The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) has released a new special report, Carbon Audit: Call to Action – Managing Emissions in Newspaper Printing Plants, designed to assist printing facilities in measuring and reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The guide provides a systematic framework for identifying operational carbon footprints, aligning with international climate standards such as the Paris Agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
How do printing plants measure greenhouse gas emissions?
The WAN-IFRA report establishes a methodology for printing facilities to categorize emissions across their entire value chain. This process involves distinguishing between direct and indirect emissions, assess environmental impact, and identify opportunities for emissions reduction and operational improvement.
According to the report, facilities must adopt "carbon budgeting" to align their operational output with planetary boundaries. The framework encourages moving sustainability away from a siloed compliance exercise and integrating it into daily operational excellence.
Why is environmental accountability a priority for the newspaper industry?
While newspapers remain essential to democratic societies and public discourse, printing operations contribute to environmental impacts through energy consumption, transportation, raw material usage and production processes. Debarshi Ray, Chairman of the World Printers Forum (India Chapter) and Technical Director at Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd., noted that the industry has long reported on climate change, but now requires precise accounting mechanisms to transparently manage its own footprint.
The industry faces increasing pressure to demonstrate transparency. By standardizing how emissions are tracked, the report aims to help organizations benchmark their operations, minimize resource waste, and build trust with modern, climate-conscious readers and regulators.
How can organizations access the new carbon audit guidelines?
The Carbon Audit: Call to Action report is currently available to members and media organisations through the WAN-IFRA Knowledge Hub. It is intended for organizations looking to:
- Benchmark operations: Benchmark their operations.
- Minimize resource waste: Minimise resource waste.
- Align with global frameworks: Build trust with modern, climate-conscious readers and regulators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What frameworks does the report align with?
The guidelines are developed in alignment with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.
Who is the target audience for this report?
The report is aimed at newspaper printing facilities and media organisations seeking to benchmark their operations, minimise resource waste, and build trust with modern, climate-conscious readers and regulators.
Is the report available to the public?
The report is available immediately for download to members and media organisations; WAN-IFRA members can download the report from the Knowledge Hub.
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