The Periodical Publishers Association is claiming an industry first with the launch of a new tool that calculates the effect that magazines are having on the environment.

The carbon calculator allows publishers to examine the carbon footprint of every stage of the production process, from sourcing paper to printing and distribution.

The free tool, which has taken two years to develop, will be unveiled by Hello magazine editor-at-large Sally Cartwright at the Fipp world magazine congress in London next week.