Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at RELX

Our vision is to use our unique contributions to society to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 17 goals for people and the planet to be realised over the next decade and beyond. A tangible example is the RELX SDG Resource Centre, with content curated from across RELX and key partners, for the benefit of all. Learn more: https://sdgresources.relx.com/about

Environmental Sustainability

The global pandemic, with the closure of our locations for much of the year, yielded a significant decrease in consumption levels across our environmental impact areas. In 2020, we reduced Scope 1 (direct) carbon emissions by 42% and our Scope 2 (location-based) emissions by 22% from 2019. In our own operations (including business travel), our emissions were net zero in 2020 through a combination of reduced emissions and the purchase of renewable energy and renewable energy certificates, with the balance offset through Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) credits in a REDD+ carbon sequestration project. We also reduced total energy by 19%; water use by 35%; and waste sent to landfill from reporting locations by 68% in the year.

We had been on track to meet our 2010-2020 environmental targets - which reflect science-based methodology and input from stakeholders - before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Their achievement includes exceeding our goal to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 location-based carbon emissions by 40% with a 64% decrease, and surpassing a goal to cut energy and fuels by 30% with a 52% reduction. We reached our goal of purchasing renewable electricity equivalent to 100% of our global electricity consumption from renewable energy and renewable energy certificates and attained ISO 14001 certification for 55% of our business. Full performance data can be found in the 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report. https://www.relx.com/~/media/Files/R/RELX-Group/documents/responsibility/download-center/2020-cr-report.pdf

Community Impact and Philanthropy

RELX Cares, our global community programme, supports employee volunteering and giving that makes a positive impact on society. In addition to local initiatives of importance to employees, the programme’s core focus is on education for disadvantaged young people that advances one or more of our unique contributions as a business. From the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, colleagues from around the world came together to support their local and international communities. Staff have up to two days paid leave per year for their own community work. We donated £5.6m in cash (including through matching gifts) and the equivalent of £12m in products, services and staff time in 2020. Globally, 26% of employees were engaged in volunteering through RELX Cares. A network of over 230 RELX Cares Champions ensures the vibrancy of our community engagement.

Learn more: https://www.relx.com/corporate-responsibility/being-a-responsible-business/community