Bertelsmann uses a wide variety of materials in the production and logistics of physical products. Besides paper and cardboard, the materials used include, e.g., printing inks, coatings and adhesives, granulate for the production of CDs and DVDs, and plastic-based films and packaging. In addition, materials are procured as part of purchased goods and services.

Paper continues to be a particular priority at Bertelsmann, representing the most important resource for the company’s traditional print media business. Even in an increasingly digitized media landscape, printed books, magazines, brochures, and flyers continue to have their place. Therefore, sustainable forestry, resource conservation, climate protection, and waste avoidance play a major role for Bertelsmann across the entire paper value chain. To complement its Environmental Policy  , Bertelsmann has issued a Paper Policy  . It stipulates, for example, that no wood from primary or protected forests must be used in paper production. In addition to certified wood fiber, Bertelsmann companies also take care to ensure that the paper used contains the highest possible proportion of recycled materials.

Bertelsmann strives to raise the proportion of recycled paper and paper from certified, sustainable forestry to 100 percent. This new ambition replaces the target of 90 percent, which was already achieved in previous years. Recycled paper as well as papers of certified origin that meet FSC®, PEFC™, SFI® requirements or comparable standards are regarded as sustainably sourced paper.

The content businesses Penguin Random House, Gruner + Jahr, and BMG are increasingly working on resource-conserving product design, e.g., sustainably certified books and magazines and plastic-free packaging. In their function as providers of print services, the companies in Bertelsmann’s service divisions offer their customers an extensive range of sustainably certified and climate-neutral print products.

For information on the general management approach for environment matters: see GRI 300  .

Material consumption

in tons

1) Including quantities procured via service providers and provided by third parties

In the 2020 financial year, Bertelsmann’s use of materials decreased by 11 percent. The volume of paper for print products, packaging paper and office paper declined by 12 percent, primarily due to the decline in the print business of the Bertelsmann Printing Group and Gruner + Jahr. In contrast, other materials such as printing inks, plastics, and packaging films increased by 4 percent year on year, in particular due to Arvato’s growing logistics business.

Paper consumption by corporate division

in tons

The development of volumes compared to the previous year varied from division to division. At Bertelsmann Printing Group and Gruner + Jahr, production-related decreases in paper volumes of approximately 260,000 tons were recorded. In contrast, Penguin Random House recorded an increase of nearly 24,000 tons in paper used due to the increase in book sales during the coronavirus pandemic. Arvato’s logistics business saw an increase in packaging papers of around 3,000 tons due to increased online mail orders.

Energy as a major factor influencing the achievement of Bertelsmann’s climate target is a focus topic for the Group. Although increasing digitalization lowers the company’s dependency on finite natural resources, it simultaneously leads to a higher energy consumption caused by data use. Besides improving its energy efficiency, Bertelsmann relies on increasing the use of renewables across all corporate divisions and among its external IT service providers. The Group-wide specifications on energy management are codified in the Bertelsmann Energy and Climate Policy  .

As the most important lever for reducing its own emissions, Bertelsmann pursues the goal of procuring 100 percent of the electricity it buys from renewable sources. Beyond electricity purchasing, local on-site generation of own electricity and heat using renewable energies and, on a transitional basis, highly efficient natural gas-powered cogeneration plants, contribute to the transformation of local energy markets. Bertelsmann does not use lignite or anthracite in producing its own energy, and expects its energy suppliers to gradually phase out fossil fuels.

Increasing transparency about energy consumption thanks to the “green.screen” IT platform supports energy data management at site level and enables interaction and exchange between sites.

Information on general management approach to the environment: see GRI 300  .

Use of fuels and propellants

in megawatt hours (MWh)

In the 2020 financial year, a total of 1,064,000 MWh of natural gas were used for the company’s own energy generation, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of close to 5 percent. Natural gas is used in highly efficient cogeneration power plants to produce electricity and heat, to generate process heat in printing plants, and in heating systems for the company’s own heat generation. Only a small proportion of heat is generated using heating oil. The volume decreased by another more than 36 percent compared with the previous year. 34,000 MWh of diesel were consumed for company vehicles as well as emergency power generators. The decrease by one-third is primarily due to the reduced mobility of employees during the coronavirus pandemic. This is also the reason for the 40-percent drop in gasoline consumption to 9 MWh. In accordance with the Bertelsmann Energy and Climate Policy, no coal is used in the in-house generation of energy. The remaining energy quantities are used for forklifts and company jets. The quantities subsumed under “other” include renewable fuels.

In addition to energy production from fuels and propellants, a small amount of energy is generated from renewable sources. Electricity generation from solar power increased from 3,200 MWh in 2019 to 8,000 MWh in 2020, with approximately half of this being consumed by the company itself and the remaining amount being fed into the power grid. The increase was achieved through higher electricity generation from photovoltaic systems at Arvato in the Netherlands, and at the Bertelsmann Printing Group in the United Kingdom.

Procurement of electricity and heat

in megawatt hours (MWh)

In addition to the fuels used, Bertelsmann reports the purchase of electricity and heat. Next to grid purchases, this also includes volumes from rented properties, which are provided by landlords. Bertelsmann was again able to increase its consumption of renewable energies with certificates of origin. The share of green electricity in its total purchased electricity rose to 22 percent (previous year: 16 percent). In the 2020 reporting year, the number of sites that purchase green electricity increased by eleven sites year on year, to 81 sites. These included RTL Group sites in Luxembourg, some Arvato logistics sites in Germany, and the Corporate Center in Germany.

Energy consumption by corporate division

in megawatt hours (MWh)

Bertelsmann’s divisions differ in their energy consumption. Bertelsmann Printing Group accounted for by far the largest share of total consumption at 60 percent, followed by Arvato at around 22 percent and RTL Group at 9 percent. The remaining 9 percent was consumed in the other divisions. Energy consumption in 2020 was down year-on-year across nearly all business units. At around 60,000 MWh in each case, this decrease can be explained in equal parts by declines in production and the reduced use of office buildings across all divisions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mobility

in millions of kilometers

The mobility of employees decreased significantly by nearly 51 percent in the 2020 fiscal year. Commuting accounted for the largest share of this figure (89 percent). Increased working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic reduced the distances commuted by 44 percent. The distances traveled on business trips fell even more sharply across the Group, by 74 percent. This was also due to the coronavirus pandemic, as a result of which business travel was greatly reduced and digital communication options were used more frequently instead.

The energy intensity, the ratio of the sum of the reported energy-consumption values in megawatt hours to the total revenues reported in the consolidated financial statements (in millions of euros), was at 83 in 2020 fiscal year. Compared to the previous year (87), this represents a further decline by 5 percent.

Data on water consumption and wastewater are also recorded throughout the company as part of the annual environmental data survey, using the “green.screen” IT platform. Based on this data, trends can be discerned and potential for improvement identified. Due to the locally varying relevance and regulation of water management, these topics are predominantly handled by the local businesses.

Information on the management approach for water: see GRI 300  .

See GRI 303  Management approach.

See GRI 303  Management approach.

Water withdrawal by source

in thousands of cubic meters

In the 2020 financial year, water withdrawal fell by 11 percent. The most significant decrease is in water withdrawal from public utilities. This figure fell by 24 percent, primarily because of the decreased use of offices due to the coronavirus pandemic. The use of groundwater from wells was down by 5 percent.

Water withdrawal by corporate division

in thousands of cubic meters

Water is used to varying degrees in the individual divisions. RTL Group accounted for more than half of the water withdrawals at just under 56 percent, Bertelsmann Printing Group for 26 percent, and Arvato for 12 percent. The other divisions accounted for 8 percent of total water withdrawal. All divisions recorded a decline in water withdrawals, primarily due to the increase in working from home.

Bertelsmann supports the international community’s goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change. Bertelsmann will become climate neutral by 2030. To this end, the greenhouse gas emissions generated from its own sites, employee business travel, and the manufacture of its own products are to be reduced significantly by 2030, and the remaining emissions offset. The total emissions from the above causes amounted to 1.1 million tons of CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e) in the 2020 financial year. This represents a 15 percent reduction compared to 2018 (1.3 million tons of CO₂e). At the same time, Bertelsmann is pursuing the reduction target of cutting absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 as compared to 2018. In addition to emissions from sites, employees, and own products, this includes all other emissions covered in the carbon footprint. This reduction target was validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative in March 2021.

The climate protection strategy prioritizes measures to avoid and reduce emissions – ahead of offsetting remaining emissions. It is substantiated by specific action plans for the individual divisions. The Executive Board follows up on target achievement yearly, based on uniform Group-wide milestones and indicators. Unavoidable emissions are offset by means of emissions compensation from a portfolio of voluntary climate-protection projects. Projects are carefully selected on the basis of defined criteria. These include projects that bind CO₂ emissions from the atmosphere over the long term (“removals”) and thus actually compensate for the volume of emissions caused by Bertelsmann. In the 2020 financial year, certificates for more than 14,000 tons were offset by the reforestation project in Brazil, exclusively supported by Bertelsmann.

Greenhouse gas emissions are accounted for in accordance with the “Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard” and “Scope 2 Guidance,” and in line with the “Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard” of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). Greenhouse gas emissions are reported in accordance with the GHG Protocol and in CO₂e. In accordance with the GHG Protocol, emissions are reported in three different categories. Scope 1 refers to Bertelsmann’s direct emissions, which for instance result from its own (on-site) power generation and the operation of printing machines. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity and district heating, or heat provided by landlords. In accordance with the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance, Bertelsmann reports both market-based and location-based emissions in the overview of key indicators.

As part of developing the Climate Neutrality target, the data collection methods for indirect emissions (Scope 3) were updated and the emission sources included in the balance sheet were expanded. Significant changes include the inclusion of supplier-specific emissions data – particularly in the area of paper production and printing services – and a more detailed recording of emissions from commutes. In addition, further emission sources such as refrigerant losses, overnight hotel stays, transport and distribution, and waste logistics were included across the Group. These changes resulted in a retroactively adjusted data basis for the years 2018 and 2019.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions

in tons of CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e)

1) Scope 2 emissions were calculated using the market-based method as indicated in the Scope 2 Guidance of the GHG Protocol. According to the site-based method, Scope 2 emissions amounted to 200,600 metric tons of CO2e (previous year: 239,800 metric tons).

The sum of direct (Scope 1) and energy-related indirect (Scope 2) greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 was 385,300 metric tons of CO₂e, equaling a decrease of 11 percent compared with the previous year. Scope 1 emissions stem primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels such as natural gas and, to a lesser extent, from the use of fuels and coolants. These emissions fell by nearly 4 percent in the reporting year. Greenhouse gas emissions from purchased electricity and heat (Scope 2) decreased significantly by 20 percent due to lower energy consumption and increased use of green electricity.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions by corporate division

in tons of CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e)

Bertelsmann Printing Group and Arvato accounted for the largest share of Bertelsmann’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. This can be attributed to the consumption of electricity, natural gas and heat by the printing presses at Bertelsmann Printing Group, and the operation of materials handling equipment at Arvato’s logistics sites.

Nearly all divisions significantly reduced their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions year on year. The coronavirus pandemic in particular contributed to a decrease in emissions, as many sites temporarily switched to working from home. Accordingly, consumption of electricity and heat fell significantly, although production volumes and revenues increased at Penguin Random House and Arvato. In absolute terms, this corresponds to a decrease of around 20,000 tons of CO₂e. Production declines at the printing plants resulted in approximately 15,000 tons less CO₂e being emitted than in the previous year. Another 15,000 metric tons of CO₂e were saved by RTL Group, Arvato, and Corporate shifting to green electricity.

Scope 3 emissions

in tons of CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e)

The total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) accounted for in 2020 amounted to 2.03 million metric tons of CO₂e – of which 81 percent were attributable to indirect emissions along the value chain (Scope 3).

Within the Scope 3 categories, indirect greenhouse gas emissions from materials and services accounted for the largest share at 75 percent (before consolidation). These include emissions from paper purchasing, printing materials used, external services, and the production of TV content. Downstream transport emissions from the distribution of products accounted for just under 13 percent of emissions in 2020, while upstream transport accounted for over 9 percent of Scope 3 emissions. Commuting by employees accounted for 5 percent of emissions. Other sources include upstream energy-related emissions (outside Scope 1 and Scope 2), business travel, and emissions from waste logistics and the end-of-life of Bertelsmann’s own products.

Scope 3 emissions decreased by 12 percent in the fiscal year. This was largely due to reduced production volumes and the restricted mobility of employees as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Scope 3 emissions by division

in tons of CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e)

At 54 percent, Bertelsmann Printing Group had the largest share of Scope 3 emissions, followed by Penguin Random House with 29 percent. Arvato also contributed a double-digit share with 11 percent, and RTL Group accounted for 8 percent. Gruner + Jahr generated 5 percent of the remaining emissions, as did the other divisions.

Specific greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) fell from 24.0 metric tons of CO₂e per 1 million euros of Group revenue in 2019 to 22.1 metric tons of CO₂e per 1 million euros of Group revenue in the 2020 financial year.

Data on waste generation is also recorded across the Group during the annual environmental data collection with the IT platform “green screen”. Based on this data, trends can be discerned and potential for improvement identified. Due to the varying local relevance and regulation of waste management, these topics are predominantly handled by the local businesses.

Information on the management approach for water: see GRI 303  .