THE SUSTAINABILITY INTERVIEW
language models handle training while companies like RELX apply overlay technologies.“ How do we come up with a methodology when large language models – the Anthropics and the OpenAIs – are doing the lion’ s share of the training of those models, and when we do an overlay like using Retrieval Augmented Generation for our content? We are interested in finding the right methodology for calculating, and in due course reporting, the emissions associated with AI.” Márcia says.
“ In terms of the environmental impact within our business, we capture that through Scope 1 and 2. We haven’ t seen a significant rise because of AI, and in fact we have reduced our energy consumption 53 % since 2018, but it doesn’ t absolve responsibility for working together as an industry to get to grips with this, because it will only continue to rise.”
Despite recent shifts in ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion discussions, RELX maintains its commitment to what Márcia describes as“ open to all” principles.
“ The first thing to say is the ethos of‘ open to all’ is at the heart of our business,” she says.“ What language you use doesn’ t really matter, but the essence needs to remain- making sure that everybody has a fair opportunity to come into our organisation and to advance and develop their careers while they’ re with us.”
The free RELX SDG Resource Centre, established in 2017, provides free
HEAR FROM MÁRCIA Join Marcia at Sustainability LIVE London where she will feature on the Women in Sustainability panel on 9 September.
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access to curated content related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The platform attracted over 300,000 unique users in the previous year.
“ We established the Resource Centre in 2017 and had over 300,000 unique users of the site last year. We collaborate to ensure content informs pressing global challenges; for example, for World Water Day earlier this year, we worked with colleagues at our Elsevier business, the world’ s largest scientific
30 September 2025