Environment

We see two big environmental challenges facing the planet. The first is climate change and the second is resource use.

Climate change impacts such as extreme weather patterns and water scarcity affect people everywhere, with developing countries the most vulnerable.

We operate in more than 70 countries and we are seeing a growing global recognition of the effects of climate change whether from our investors or by policymakers and how this is starting to change the business landscape. New regulations are emerging – as are the expectations of the people who work at Pearson and who buy our products and services.

The second challenge is lack of resources. It is sobering to note this estimate by the World Wildlife Fund: if every country in the world consumed materials at the same rate as the UK, it would take three planets to sustain our way of life. All countries have legitimate aspirations to grow and provide opportunity, but that they do so in a sustainable fashion, should be of deep concern to us all.