Climate Change Data

Hearst Corporation

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022)

Reporting Period: 2022

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:58,200 tCO2e (2021)
Scope 1 Emissions:4,300 tCO2e (2021)
Scope 2 Emissions:53,800 tCO2e (2021)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Sustainable Business Practices
  • Social Responsibility
  • Governance

Environmental Achievements

  • Hearst Tower in NYC achieved LEED-Existing Buildings Platinum certification in 2012 and again in 2016.
  • 100% of paper fiber purchased is sourced responsibly (FSC or PEFC certified).
  • 78% of supplying mills have ISO14001 certification.
  • Quad/Graphics, Hearst's printing partner, has a recycling rate of over 98%.
  • California Flats Solar Project produces enough clean energy to displace over 109,000 metric tons of CO2 annually.
  • Hearst's Western Properties (200,000+ acres) will be fully analyzed for carbon sequestration benefits in 2023.
  • Hearst UK renewed its ISO14001 certification in 2022.
  • Hearst UK's London office uses 100% certified renewable energy with zero waste to landfill.
  • Hearst Japan reduced plastic use by 80% since 2019.

Social Achievements

  • Hearst Foundations awarded over $28 million to nonprofits in the first half of 2022, many focused on environmental initiatives.
  • Hearst Magazines highlights sustainable brands through initiatives like ELLE's Green Beauty Stars and Good Housekeeping's Sustainable Innovation Awards.
  • Hearst UK won Sustainability Strategy of the Year 2022 at the Newspaper and Magazine Awards.
  • Hearst UK's Planet Hearst team received the PPA Sustainability Award 2022.

Governance Achievements

  • Establishment of a council of “sustainability champions” to collect GHG emission data and amplify sustainability efforts.
  • Development of the Sustainable Hearst newsletter to track progress against climate goals.
  • Creation of Sustainable Fitch to provide ESG insights, tools, and data to the financial community.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Implement reduction initiatives and report publicly on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions annually.
Medium-term Goals:
  • Determine priorities for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emission reduction and set targets.
Short-term Goals:
  • Implement new technology to increase data collection and track energy use.

Environmental Challenges

  • Complex environmental footprint due to diverse global operations.
  • Data gaps across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
  • Need to establish a framework for measuring Scope 3 emissions.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Engaging an industry-leading consultancy firm to gather data and estimate GHG emissions.
  • Implementing new technology to increase the collection of actual data and better track energy use.
  • Determining priorities for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emission reduction and setting targets.
  • Implementing reduction initiatives and reporting publicly on an annual basis.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Responsibly sourced paper
  • Partnerships with sustainable suppliers (e.g., Quad/Graphics)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Awards & Recognition

  • California Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (Hearst Ranch)
  • Sustainability Strategy of the Year 2022 (Hearst UK)
  • PPA Sustainability Award 2022 (Hearst UK)