Andri Johnston, Digital Sustainability Lead at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and Daniel Schien, Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Bristol, gave a UKSG webinar on 30 June 2026 on reducing the environmental harm of AI in research and publishing through a principle-based approach. Their slides say Cambridge University Press & Assessment has committed to carbon zero on all energy-related emissions by 2048, with an interim target of a 72% reduction by 2030. An AI & Sustainability stakeholder function within its operating model and central programme works to embed sustainability principles into AI strategy and advises business areas. The slides list the actions as an AI Sandbox, an AI Operating Model Playbook, a Fair Use Framework, an AI project evaluation process, tracking of carbon emissions, and calculation of the carbon emissions of AI, with cloud hosting reported in Scope 3. Johnston also spoke about sustainability in digital publishing on episode 16 of The Digital Publishing Podcast, released on 21 April 2026. The press’s digital sustainability work began with a Digital Working Group formed in December 2020.
Notes & quotes
- The slides include the presenters’ guidance to avoid generative AI where deterministic or rule-based tools perform equally well, to reserve it for synthesis across messy inputs, and to prefer providers that use green energy.
Publisher / company: Cambridge University Press & AssessmentUniversity of Bristol
Date of case study: 2026
Status: Not stated
Built by: Publisher or platform
Sources:
- Minimising the environmental impact of AI with principle thinking, Andri Johnston and Daniel Schien, UKSG26 slides
- Minimising the environmental harm of AI through principle thinking, UKSG webinar, 30 June 2026
- Episode 16: Starting out right, with Andri Johnston, The Digital Publishing Podcast, 21 April 2026
- Digital sustainability, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, 13 October 2021