5 Ways Springer Nature is progressing as a responsible business

Author: Lucy Frisch

Springer Nature recently released its annual Responsible Business Report, offering an in-depth look at how we're taking steps to reduce the company's carbon footprint, promote an inclusive and diverse environment within the business, and forge links with the communities we serve. Read on for more highlights from this year's report.

1. Springer Nature is contributing to the sustainable development agenda.

As one of the world’s largest publishers of academic research, educational content and science journalism, Springer Nature plays an important role and contributes towards delivery of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Springer Nature Sustainable Development Goals Programme connects researchers working to address the world's grand challenges and bring visibility to their discoveries and the resources we can share as a global community.

2. Springer Nature is opening up research. 

As the largest open access research publisher in the world, publishing more than 90,000 open access papers every year, Springer Nature does more than any other publisher to serve the changing needs of the research community. Through the SharedIt tool, the company enables researchers and media contacts to share subscription content free of charge. Springer Nature also invests in education and scientific research in places where it's needed but may not be affordable.

3. Springer Nature is improving diversity to inspire innovation. 

With women making up 56% of the workforce and with colleagues located in around 50 countries, Springer Nature truly is a diverse global organisation. But the gender and cultural balance decreases with seniority and varies by region. The company roadmap to address diversity and inclusion has lead to new programs in 2018, including unconscious bias training, mentoring and employee resource groups.

4. Springer Nature is protecting the planet. 

Springer Nature publishes the latest evidence-based research on climate change and other sustainability issues across many journals and books. But as a publisher, we are especially committed to reducing our carbon footprint. In the first year since we started monitoring our global footprint, we've lowered it by 18% (net) and we're working to reduce waste wherever possible, including making most books and journals print on-demand, meaning they're only printed when they're ordered.

5. Springer Nature is supporting people and projects, worldwide.

 In 2018, Springer Nature gave more than 870,000 Euro in donations and sponsorship to charities and organisations. As employees we also give our time towards projects that share our aims and support our local communities, including education projects, travel and childcare support for early-career researchers, and mentoring in academia.

To find out more about everything Springer Nature is doing to help solve the world's biggest challenges, read our complete 2018 Responsible Business Report.