Taking Responsibility

The Springer Nature Group works closely with a large global community of academic researchers and educators who, through their work, want to leave the world better than they found it, to solve problems and to disseminate their ideas. We work to reduce our environmental footprint, to promote an inclusive environment rich in diversity and to forge links with the communities we serve.

As one of the world’s largest publishers of research and education content, our sustainable business strategy considers both what we do to open doors to discovery, how we do it as a company of around 10,000 colleagues, and the impact that our work may have on the environment and society.

Progress as a Sustainable Business

2021 Sustainable Business Report

Unlocking Potential focuses on Springer Nature’s climate impact given the key climate moments of 2021, such as the UN Climate Conference, COP26. The report also includes: key data on SDG-related research, diversity and inclusion updates, an outline of ethics and compliance policies, and community case studies.

Discover our 2021 highlights

Download our full Sustainable Business Report

Springer Nature Sustainable Business Report 2021 - EN

(PDF, 5.60 MB)

Accelerating solutions to urgent societal challenges

As one of the world’s largest publishers of research and education content, our sustainable business strategy focuses on the areas where we can have the greatest positive impact.

Springer Nature and the sustainable development goals

We’re in the ‘Decade of Action’ and aiming to accelerate sustainable solutions to global challenges.

At Springer Nature, we believe that research and education have a fundamental role to play. We use the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) to help us consider our potential impacts - both positive and negative - and how we manage them. We believe that our most significant impact is through our publishing activity, which helps bring to light and disseminate important knowledge related to the SDGs.

Find out more about our SDG publishing programme.

Championing diversity, equity and inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is one of our highest strategic priorities at Springer Nature and is reflected in the public commitments we’ve made and the company values that guide our actions.

As a global publisher, we have a responsibility to make positive change in our own workplace and in the education and research communities we serve. We commit to championing diversity, equity and inclusion, opening the doors to discovery for all.

Find out more about our DEI initiatives.

Climate Research in Action

To mark the COP26 climate conference, Springer Nature launched Climate Research in Action: a campaign designed to highlight the importance of research in identifying climate solutions. It includes a dedicated climate collection of the most important recent research articles from across the Nature Portfolio as well as an immersive guide to the conference from the Nature editorial team.

Also included is The Ozone Story: the scientific discovery of a hole in the Ozone layer first published in Nature which spurred global leaders into action and resulted in the most successful environmental policy of all time, The Montreal Protocol.

Visit the campaign microsite here

Awards and Ratings

We are pleased to have been recognised for our sustainability efforts and reporting across our business.

In 2022 we were awarded a Silver Rating for sustainability performance from Ecovadis, the world’s largest provider of business sustainability ratings.

Our 2020 report won the accolade of Best in the World, in the publishing category of the Hallbars Sustainability Reporting Awards for being clear and accessible.

In 2022, we won Diversity Team of the Year at the British Diversity Awards. Find out more about our work on our DEI website.

Policies and Reports

Other relevant information and guidance on what to do if you wish to report a concern about a potential breach of the Code of Conduct, can be found in the Policies and Reports section of the website.

Springer Nature Code of Conduct - January 2021 - EN

(PDF, 2.93 MB)

Springer Nature Business Partner Code of Conduct - April 2022 - EN

(PDF, 2.88 MB)

Springer Nature Modern Slavery Act Statement 2021 - EN

(PDF, 309.10 KB)

Policies & Reports

Accessing and publishing research in low and middle income countries

We invest in education and scientific research in places where it’s needed, but where people may not be able to afford it. We achieve this by working with organisations such as Research4Life and CGIAR, providing no-cost or low-fee access to research published in any of our journals in low and middle income countries.

Sustainable open access requires its own funding, usually in the form of article processing charge (APC) payments or transformative agreements. These can be difficult to finance in low- and middle-income countries and in some research disciplines, so Springer Nature operates an APC waiver and discount policy.

We also donate textbooks and equipment through partnerships with organisations like Books2Africa and we donate the residual value from recycled paper produced by recycling our obsolete stock.

Knowledge of agricultural science

Working with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.

Reducing the knowledge gap

Research4Life provides the developing world with access to critical scientific research.

Responsibility across Springer Nature Group

Research integrity

Springer Nature Group subscribes to the COPE principles in handling cases of research and publication misconduct.

Code of Conduct for editors

We have a Code of Conduct for editors-in-chief, which sets out standards we expect from our external editors in relation to publication ethics.

Acting on carbon

Supporting CommuniTree to encourage reforestation and protect the livelihood of farmers in Nicaragua.

Julius Springer Charitable Fund

The charitable organisation Julius Springer Charitable Fund e.V. provides active financial support for people in need.