Climate-Friendly Paperbacks

Today Swedish paperback publishers Månpocket and Bonnier Pocket launch a new concept called Klimatsmart pocket: Climate-friendlier paperback books. A climate-friendly paperback is FSC certified, produced with a carbon offset and supports the World Widelife Fund's environmental work. Within a year, it will include some 7 million paperbacks that are made in a more environmentally friendly fashion.

"Paperbacks are a product printed in very large print runs, so it makes sense particularly to take a step in a more environmental direction," says Teresa Knochenhauer, managing director for Månpocket and Bonnier Pocket.

The Forest Stewardship Council - FSC - is an organization promoting responsible forestry practices with strict rules that must be met to receive FSC certification. The books are printed in Sweden to avoid long-distance transport and the publishers offset for the carbon emissions that can't be avoided. The publishers also provide WWF's environmental work with financial support.

Bonnier Pocket and Månpocket have worked with the initiative for over a year, and in the middle of April the first 16 climate-friendly books will be available in bookstores. From now on all books printed by the two publishers will basically be produced in the new more environmentally friendly way.

"We choose materials with care for every production, but we'll also make sure that the artistic freedom of the authors is taken into consideration," says Knochenhauer. "In cases where certain details, such as on a cover, can't be produced following the environmental rules we've set ourselves, the book won't carry the climate-friendly seal of approval even if the rest of the book is produced in an environmental way."

It's usually the consumer who pays extra in the end for environmentally friendly or organic products. This won't be the case with the paperbacks.

"It's clear that our environmental initiative raises the cost in different ways for Månpocket and Bonnier Pocket, but I'm convinced it's a good investment in the future in many respects," says Knochenhauer. "The climate-friendly books won't be more expensive than normal paperbacks."

The first book released will be Mian Lodalen's Tiger.

"I'm overjoyed to hear that a book publisher has taken the step of worker for greener production," says Lodalen. "And it's especially nice that my latest novel is going to be a pioneer. Working for sustainable development, more environmentally friendly to save the planet is a huge challenge for all humanity. One person can't do everything alone, but many together can do a lot. Månpocket and Bonnier Pocket have the jump on other publishers, but I hope others are inspired to follow their lead."