Sustainability in Publishing

This article is a transcript of the London Book Fair’s inaugural sustainability keynote delivered by Dr Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet. Horton delivers a challenge to the publishing sector to consider how sustainability sits alongside the ever-increasing uncertainties in the world, such as the ongoing pandemic and Ukrainian crisis. He spoke about the important role that publishing plays as an early warning system for society, introducing the concept of planetary health that demands consideration of a safe and just space for humanity alongside respect for planetary boundaries and the social and economic foundations of a healthy life. Horton finishes with three key challenges to publishers: to stand for something, to invest in our future, and protect the freedom of expression.