Mediahuis is committed to setting scientifically substantiated climate goals.
Antwerp, 15 October 2021 – European media group Mediahuis has committed to setting scientifically substantiated climate goals, known as science-based targets. The group is joining the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which unites organisations worldwide that want to translate their climate ambitions into scientifically substantiated and measurable objectives that are necessary to fulfil the Paris Climate Agreement.
The most important objective of the Paris Agreement is well known: drastically limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius. This can only be achieved if, alongside governments and individuals, companies also make great efforts. Mediahuis wants to be a frontrunner in this area and reduce its CO2 footprint by more than 50% by 2030. Moreover, the group wants to be a completely emission-free company by 2050. Measures to contribute to this include efforts in printing and distribution of newspapers, a critical look at the energy-efficiency of the company’s buildings and converting its car fleet to electrically powered vehicles.
“Our news titles report daily on the climate crisis, on forest fires and floods, on the climate refugee crisis and the complex choices that our society must make today. You cannot be blind to the fact that rapid action is necessary. We have a clear responsibility to society, our readers and our staff. Setting science-based targets makes the efforts we need to make very concrete and enables us to communicate about our progress in a transparent way,” says Gert Ysebaert, CEO Mediahuis group.
In a next phase, independent experts from the SBTi will validate Mediahuis’s targets and judge whether they are in line with the required carbon reduction levels. Subsequently, these climate objectives will be translated into concrete action plans within the Mediahuis group.
About Mediahuis
Mediahuis is one of the leading media groups in Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and Luxembourg. As a publisher, Mediahuis unconditionally believes in independent journalism and strong, relevant media that make a positive contribution to people and society. With this vision in mind, Mediahuis permanently invests in its strong brands, both paper and digital. News titles including De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad/De Gentenaar, Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Belang van Limburg in Belgium, NRC, De Telegraaf, Noordhollands Dagblad, De Limburger and Dagblad van het Noorden in the Netherlands, Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and Belfast Telegraph in Ireland and Luxemburger Wort in Luxembourg, provide millions of readers with daily news, both online and in print. In addition to these news brands, Mediahuis also operates a number of important digital marketplaces in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Ireland, mainly in the real estate, employment and automotive markets. More information about Mediahuis: www.mediahuis.com/en.
