IPA Launches '1000 Actions' Campaign to Boost Publishing Industry’s Sustainability Efforts

The International Publishers Association (IPA) has announced a new initiative aimed at showcasing the publishing industry's contributions to global sustainability. Dubbed "Turning the Page: 1000 Actions for a Sustainable Future," the campaign is asking publishers to document what they are doing to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The hope, the IPA said in a release, is to document 1,000 individual actions from publishers and their employees by the end of 2024, which could include initiatives within their organizations, in their communities, or beyond. To participate, publishers are encouraged to:

• Share their SDG-related activities with the IPA
• Post these actions on the IPA SDG Dashboard
• Download the campaign logo and link to their stories
• Use the hashtags #SDGPublishersCompact and #ActNow when sharing on social media

This effort comes in advance of the 34th International Publishers Congress, to be held in Guadalajara in November. The event will feature a keynote address from Melissa Fleming, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General of Global Communications, underscoring the significance of the industry's role in promoting sustainable development.

"We need to make more progress more quickly on the Sustainable Development Goals and publishing can play its part,” Karine Pansa. IPA President, said. “I know publishers everywhere are taking action, big and small, to make a difference. We call on all publishers to tell us about what you are doing and inspire others to get involved."

The title of the IPA's campaign nods to the UN's broader "One Million Actions for Our Common Future" initiative, of which the SDGs are a part. "The UN is gearing up for the Summit of the Future in September and all our efforts are focused on helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," Mary Glenn, Chief of UN Publications, said. "Support from the publishing industry for the One Million Actions for Our Common Future comes at a pivotal moment and demonstrates that only together can we create a better future."