TERI Organizes India’s First Ever Conference on environment-friendly Publishing
High-profile Publishers, Paper Manufacturers, and Printers, Debate on Ecological and Sustainable Publishing Practices

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Saturday, April 05, 2008 -- (Business Wire India)

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in consonance with Delhi Government organized a high-level conference on ecological and sustainable publishing practices in the capital today. The event titled Pathways to Green Publishing: a stakeholders’ dialogue on ecological and sustainable publishing practices was an attempt to bring together the stakeholders involved in the process of publishing, including paper manufacturers and printers on a platform to discuss the enormous environmental issues plaguing the industry as a whole.

The conference was inaugurated by Ms Sheila Dixit, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi. Mr Namo Narain Meena, Hon’ble Minister of State for Environment and Forests delivered the presidential address at the conference.

Applauding the effort made by TERI Press the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dixit said, “Pathways to Green Publishing is perhaps India’s first all-encompassing conference that has brought all of you, high-profile publishers, paper manufacturers, and printers, together on a platform for a dialogue on future prospects in publishing that takes into account environmental concerns.”

Commenting on the conference Dr R K Pachauri, Director-General, TERI said, “One of the most important frontiers in tackling the global threat of environmental degradation lies in greening the entire chain of printing and publication activity. If one were to assess the power of this extended sector, it would become apparent that the message of green practices applied in this field would reach every member of human society. India should be a leader in the field of sustainable development and consequently pathways to green publishing are important avenues for India to tread in a leadership position.”

Dr R K Pachauri, Director-General, TERI and Chairman, IPCC, Mr J K Dadoo, Secretary (Environment), Delhi Government, Mr H K Dua, Editor-in-chief, The Tribune, Mr Ravindra Kumar, Editor and Managing Director, The Statesman, Mr Harsh Pati Singhania, Managing Director, J K Paper Ltd, Ms Nuzhat Hassan, Director, National Book Trust, Dr Ajay Mathur, Director-General, BEE, and Dr Leena Srivastava, Executive Director, TERI were some of the distinguished speakers who focused on current wasteful practices in the process of publishing and the way forward. Prof Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute, Columbia University, USA also addressed the gathering through a video message.

At the occasion, the Chief Minister also released a children’s book Reduce Reuse Recycle from Save Planet Earth, a six-book series jointly published by TERI Press and the JSW Foundation. Reduce Reuse Recycle introduces children to the green mantra for modern life. True to its content, the book itself has been printed on recycled paper.

While the first deliberation session focused on the environmental implications of the pulp and paper industry in the form of the impact on natural resources, the eminent speakers discussed the economies of scale involved in the use of recycled paper.

Major international case studies that have the potential of being replicated in the publishing, printing, and paper manufacturing industries in India were also presented by Dr Rajendrakumar Anayath, head of the Print Media Academy of printing equipment giant, Heidelberg and Mr Sumeet Anand, CEO, Argowiggins India Pvt Ltd., India’s largest manufacturer of recycled paper.

The conference ended with a stimulating session on methods, strategies and incentives for environment-friendly publishing practices. TERI Press also announced the formation of an organized body of publishers, printers and paper manufacturers who believe in the cause of green publishing. Quarterly workshops and an information newsletter is on the agenda.

TERI press is the publishing arm of TERI, perhaps the first publishing house in India to conceptualize a dialogue on the environmental impact of the process of publishing.

About TERI Press

TERI Press, the publishing arm of TERI is an independent publisher in its own right. Best known for its titles in the areas of environment, energy and sustainable development, TERI Press is committed to publishing high quality works at all levels—from reference titles to general interest books. It is committed to publishing the best-quality books on energy, environment, and sustainable development, and has received both national and international recognition for its versatility and efficiency. TERI Press has never shied away from social responsibility, always looking to adopt new and innovative measures in publishing, like the use of recycled paper, to ensure that environmental considerations are given utmost priority. It is one of many efforts that will go a long way in establishing TERI Press as ‘India’s first green publisher’.

About Terrapin

Terrapin, the children’s imprint of TERI Press, publishes books that are not just visually appealing but also topically relevant. The mission of Terrapin is to spread awareness among children about all environmental issues. The books entertain as they subtly educate. The theme of all these books is woven around TERI’s mandate of energy, environment, and sustainable development.