Reducing our environmental impact by ending discounted print incentives for journals

Why Cambridge University Press will no longer be offering deeply discounted print as part of new journal agreements.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment recognises the climate emergency and our need to act. As a leader in global education and research we have a responsibility to not only be part of the conversation but to also be a driving force for change.

We are committed to reducing our global energy-related emissions to zero carbon by 2048, with a 70% reduction by 2030. A significant reduction of the print component of our journals publishing activity will be a key part of realising this commitment. In recent years we have been converting our journals to online-only, and that process, combined with a move to end discounted print incentives, will help us take another step towards our environmental goals. It is our ambition that by 2024 most of our journals will be online-only.

By taking every opportunity we can to reduce print, we will stop the need to fell hundreds of trees, cut the CO2 output associated with paper production, the printing process, and shipping, and also reduce the use of plastic and other petroleum-based products used in packaging materials.

“As our drive for sustainability intersects with our move to open research, the rationale for a deeply-discounted print offering is weakened progressively. I’d like to thank our library partners for their understanding and support of this change, especially at a time when every budgetary decision matters” – Chris Bennett, Global Sales Director

Click here to see our infographic

What does this mean for our customers?

From 2023 new journals agreements will not include any provision for deeply discounted print versions of journals that still publish physical copies. Customers will still be able to order print copies of journals that still offer them, but no discounts will be available. We will honour existing agreements where discounts are offered for the remainder of the agreement.

Online-only and an open access future

Titles flipping to open access will have their print subscription option removed and will not be available under any discounted print incentive. It is Cambridge University Press’s ambition that the majority of our research publishing will be open access by 2025.

For more information visit our print reduction hub

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