Strengthening our environmental stewardship In 2025, BMJ Group achieved ISO 14001 certification, the international standard for environmental management systems. 109 We also measured our carbon footprint, independently verified by NQA Certification Limited, and published an annual carbon reduction plan to track progress and set out how we plan to reduce emissions. 110 But our work goes beyond meeting a standard. Sustainability is built into the way BMJ Group is run, with a dedicated head of sustainability and a committee that brings together colleagues from across the organisation. This means we can ask environmental questions earlier, challenge how we do things and keep looking for better options. As a member of the Professional Publishers Association’s Sustainability Action Group, we acted on 2019 research into the environmental impact of magazine wrapping, 111 reviewing our approach and moving towards lower-impact alternatives. More recently, our ISO 14001 audit prompted us to review our wider print supply chain, including the paper used for our journals. The review confirmed that our current approach remains the most environmentally responsible option available to us. All our print journals use paper traceable to responsibly managed forests, while The BMJ is printed on paper made from timber-industry by-products. Our publishing also supports scrutiny of climate, health and commercial influence. In 2024, an investigation in The BMJ examined fossil fuel industry funding of medical research. 112 This formed part of the evidence considered when we introduced restrictions on fossil fuel advertising and funded research. Our first sustainability report brings this work together and shows how we are continuing to improve. Visit bmj.group/sustainability-report
Sustainable Development Goals: Our operations and publishing contribute to SDGs 1, 3, 8 and 13, where we believe we can make the greatest difference: tackling poverty, improving health and wellbeing, supporting inclusive economic growth, and taking climate action. Being certified ISO 14001 gives us a clear way to show where we are doing well and where we can improve. But our ambition goes further. Our colleagues were already asking difficult questions, challenging assumptions and looking for better choices. The standard helps us do that in a more consistent and measurable way.” Muryel Boulay, Head of sustainability, BMJ Group
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