Sustainability

Entrepreneurial actions and social responsibility work together in unison. The model of “sustainable development” has shaped Hubert Burda Media:

For us, this is the kind of development that meets the needs of today’s generation, without compromising the opportunities of future generations. Burda Druck uses all the modern technologies that combine economic growth with the preservation of an intact environment.

Guidelines Hubert Burda Media

Environmental Statement

Hubert Burda Media voluntarily takes part in the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) together with the publishers in Munich and the publishers and the printers in Offenburg. As part of this participation we publish an environmental statement every three years and an updated abstract yearly. Herewith, we would like to inform all interested parties about our economic activity, the associated environmentally relevant issues and our measures for the efficient and sustainable protection of the environment.

Chain of Custody

These certificates inform the customer that the raw materials used originated from sustainably farmed woods. The certification systems that are currently relevant in the printing industry are the FSC^® (Forest Stewardship Council) and the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes).

All Burda Druck’s gravure printers at locations in Offenburg, Vieux-Thann and Nürnberg have both the certificates and can confirm the use of certified raw materials to certified customers, or they can mark printing products on certified paper with an appropriate logo themselves.

Certificate FSC

Certificate PEFC

BVDM Climate Initiative

Through participation at the BVDM’s climate initiative we can use the CO₂ calculator which was developed by the German Printing and Media Industries Federation and is recognised by industry professionals. With this calculator we can compile a record of CO₂ emissions for your order. This record is based on the emissions and the amount of paper used at a specific location. The paper used is the biggest factor on the record. For this reason the record should always relate to a specific order.

With this application you can, through the acquisition of CO₂ certificates, continue to place CO₂ neutral print orders. The costs for an exemption are calculated from the quantity of CO₂ emissions and the current market value of CO₂ certificates.

Climate Initiative Certificate by the BVDM

Position Paper: Print Products and Ecology

Apart from price, quality and availability, the environmental quality of the raw materials is important for the acceptance of the print products. Starting with the extraction of the raw materials in the woods we strive for the transparency of all processes in the paper supply chain. All parties involved in the product chain have compiled the most important aspects in the brochure “Print Products and Ecology”, which forms basis for procurement and information policy.

Position Paper

Great Bear Rainforest (British Columbia, Canada)

After confrontations and negotiations between various interest groups that lasted years, in March 2009 an agreement for the protection and the use of a globally significant temporary rainforest at the Canadian pacific coast was reached. Involved were the provincial government of British Columbia, international environmental associations, First Nations, forestry companies and coastal communities. As customers of paper manufacturers that purchase pulp in British Columbia, environmental officers and paper buyers from large German newspaper publishing companies and representatives of the paper industry have involved themselves directly in this stakeholder process.

A documentary that Greenpeace supported, published the milestones in the resolution to an intense conflict that lasted almost 15 years. The documentary shows that the path from conflict to consensus is possible. It also serves as an example for other people in the world who struggle to preserve woods that deserve protection.

Great Bear Rainforest

EU-Ecolabel

Our plants Burda Druck Offenburg, Burda Druck Nuremberg and Burda France meet the EU Ecolabel requirements for printed products. After the qualification of paper and finishing, the label can be requested for additional products.

EU EcoLabel certificate

Climate Alliance Offenburg

In 2010 the city of Offenburg has started a climate initiative. Offenburg is attempting to develop a climate protection concept, which aims to reduce the CO₂ emissions in the city. As an important employer and consumer of energy Burda Druck has already put measures in place to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and participates in the initiative.

Commitment to the Bavarian Environmental Pact "Umweltpakt Byern"

Since 2021, BurdaDruck and its Nuremberg site have been involved in the Bavarian Environmental and Climate Pact to promote environmental and climate protection in companies and businesses together with the Bavarian state government and its partners. Within this framework, we develop environmental protection measures that go far beyond what is required by law, implement them and ideally encourage other companies to follow suit. We also benefit from the ideas and inspiration of the other partners in the Environmental Pact.

Burda Druck climate neutral through offsetting in 2021

In the course of the CO₂e balance of the company Hubert Burda Media, the complete CO₂e balance for Burda Druck was also prepared. The balance sheet was drawn up in accordance with the international standard, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, for corporate carbon footprints.
All three types of scopes (1-3) caused by a company are included. These include direct and indirect emissions. Scope 1 includes, for example, the emissions caused by the production of electricity and heat in our combined heat and power plant. Scope 2 includes, for example, the emissions caused by the energy we purchase from third parties. And Scope 3 includes, for example, the emissions caused by our commuting, business travel or even the food we eat in the canteen.

A detailed overview can be found on the website of the corporate initiative "getting better" (https://www.burda.com/en/getting-better/our-carbon-footprint/). The environmental indicators can be found in the respective environmental statements below.

Burda Druck is trying to reduce negative environmental impacts and avoid emissions with targeted measures, this is not yet fully working, so the following strategy is being followed for offsetting:
"We are committed to compensating for the environmental damage caused by our emissions. To do this, we invest in two areas: regenerative agriculture and conventional CO₂ certificates. By combining them, we are convinced that we can make the greatest possible contribution to effective compensation."
Business Partner is ClimatePartner for conventional CO₂ certificates.