We started measuring our carbon footprint by teaming up with Greencast. Based on this initial analysis, going forward we can reliably monitor and evaluate our progress to hold ourselves
accountable. We have charted Scope 1 (direct company emissions) and 2 (indirect emission). We
have analysed climate risks and took measures by reducing our warehouse stock and moving to
new warehouse partners. We moved our digital infrastructure to the cloud and are more conscious
of using less printed materials. Our office improvement plan is in progress, dealing with further CO2
emissions reductions, biodiversity, health and well being. Energy reduction will be a priority for all
office locations, for example through measures like LED lighting. In addition, Brill needs to convert
from grey to green energy, which may impact our costs for energy. In the second half of 2023, we
will start analysing Scope 3 of our supply chain hotspots and set up an action plan for further
reductions.
In addition to actively reducing Green House Gas emissions, we offset CO2 emissions of our
marketing materials print runs and business travel via a collaboration with Regreener’s Planet
Positive Workforce programme. On our behalf, Regreener supports projects worldwide positively
impacting efforts towards reforestation, renewable energy and the protection of the rainforest.
Women of the Rio Napo
One of the projects Brill supports through Regreener is Women of the Rio Napo. Along the Rio Napo
in the Ecuadorian Amazon, over 100 women in five Kichwa communities are leading projects that
generate income and build economic opportunity for themselves, their families, and their
communities. The project builds new, sustainable, and reliable sources of income and financial
independence; expands access to basic services like clean water, solar energy, internet, education,
and food security, supporting the well-being of over 1,450 people; strengthens communities’
resistance to external threats to their lands and livelihoods, including pressure from oil and mining
companies; and protects 149,500+ acres of community-owned land in this extremely biodiverse
region of the Western Amazon.
Social Responsibility
As an employer, we are committed to supporting our staff's health and well-being. Employees have
suffered due to a high workload related to a lack of permanent staff with the right skills. We are
dedicated to supporting our staff, which is our most valuable asset, by hiring more in-house,
permanent staff, especially in the finance and technology departments. Specifics on the composition
of our staff can be found under the Human Resources heading.
Education is at the core of Brill's mission. We aim to advance discovery and learning in the
humanities and social sciences, and we are keen to support scholars by providing them with access
to the finest research tools and reference works in their fields. To support widespread
dissemination of our published works, we invest in Open Access. We also have a Publication Ethics
Committee that oversees policies ensuring integrity and quality education. Brill is actively working
towards ensuring diversity and inclusion across all stages of the publication process. Brill also
adopts best practices for website accessibility and strives to adhere to guidelines and
recommendations to improve accessibility. To advance accessibility and distribution, Brill offers
discounts on its Open Access fees to academics and scientists in developing countries as part of the
Brill Open Program. To stimulate a more open and inclusive publishing environment, we updated
our name changes policy. In case an author’s name has changed after their work has been
published, it used to be very challenging to have this change processed. The update to our name
changes policies alleviates the burden. Brill has an Adopt-a-Library program in place through
which it annually donates collections of books to libraries and universities in developing countries.
