At The Random House Group we have a strong commitment to the environment. Here are a few highlights of our recent initiatives:

• We were the first UK publisher to publish a pro-FSC paper procurement policy and the first book publisher in the world to gain FSC chain-of-custody accreditation. In January 2010 we secured a deal with our paper mills to enable us to use FSC paper on 100% of our b/w demy, royal, A format and B format titles.
• In 2005 we established a plant-a-tree programme, setting aside money for a flexible programme to plant trees every year, reviewing annually how and with what organisation we plant them.
• We are firmly committed to reducing general waste streams and the amount of waste that ends up in landfill sites and so have comprehensive recycling arrangements in our offices and warehouses.
• In March 2008 we set up a cycle to work scheme, allowing employees to save up to 50% on the cost of a new bike and accessories.
• We first assessed our carbon footprint in September 2006 with the support of The Climate Group. We are currently rolling out a carbon emission reduction programme and making improvements to our sites which should save 250 tonnes of Co2 per annum on an ongoing basis. We reassessed our carbon footprint in May 2009 as part of a worldwide Bertelsmann initiative.
• We are a founding member of a publishing industry working party set up to construct a tool which will calculate the carbon footprint of a range of standard and hardback books. This will allow the industry to set a benchmark and consequently, realistic reduction targets for reducing waste in book production. 
• We are a member of The Environmental Action Group, which was formed by The Publishers Association and The Booksellers Association to encourage and help the book industry to reduce its carbon emissions, operate more sustainably and reduce the impact of book publishing and bookselling on the environment. For more information visit www.green4books.org.uk.