GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Life Science Industry Statistics

Life sciences industry aims for 20% emission reduction, boosting sustainable practices overall.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The pharmaceutical sector accounts for approximately 55% of the CO2 emissions in the life sciences industry, due to manufacturing processes.

Statistic 2

Renewable energy sources account for only 15% of the energy consumption in life science manufacturing facilities.

Statistic 3

80% of life science firms are actively working to reduce their water use in manufacturing processes.

Statistic 4

Life sciences companies' sustainability efforts have resulted in a 10% reduction in overall supply chain emissions over the past three years.

Statistic 5

The energy consumption of life science laboratories can be reduced by up to 25% through green building practices.

Statistic 6

With the adoption of digital solutions, pharmaceutical companies reduced paper use by 60% in documentation processes.

Statistic 7

Life science companies that implement circular economy practices report a 12% decrease in waste generation.

Statistic 8

Only 20% of manufacturing facilities in the life sciences sector are fully energy-efficient.

Statistic 9

The use of single-use plastics in life sciences manufacturing decreased by 18% in 2022.

Statistic 10

The industry’s total waste generated per drug launched has decreased by 10% over the last three years.

Statistic 11

The industry’s water footprint per unit of product has decreased by 15% over the past five years.

Statistic 12

Sustainable water management initiatives have led to a 20% reduction in water consumption in some biotech facilities.

Statistic 13

The use of digital twins in manufacturing processes has improved resource efficiency by 18%, reducing waste in the industry.

Statistic 14

Increasing automation in labs has reduced chemical waste by 14%, promoting greener processes.

Statistic 15

The industry has reduced its carbon footprint per dose manufactured by approximately 12% over the last four years.

Statistic 16

The global life sciences industry is projected to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 through sustainability initiatives.

Statistic 17

Less than 30% of life science companies currently have comprehensive sustainability reporting initiatives.

Statistic 18

Approximately 65% of new pharmaceutical products launched after 2020 have incorporated sustainability features.

Statistic 19

Over 80% of surveyed life science companies have some form of sustainability certification.

Statistic 20

The industry is seeing a 20% increase in biodegradable drug delivery systems.

Statistic 21

75% of life science companies expect sustainability to become a core part of their business strategy within five years.

Statistic 22

35% of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants have achieved LEED certification or equivalent green building standards.

Statistic 23

Approximately 80% of life science companies participate in sustainability reporting, but only half disclose quantitative environmental data.

Statistic 24

The bio-based materials sector in life sciences grew by 15% in 2022 due to increased demand.

Statistic 25

The adoption of green chemistry approaches has increased by 25% in drug development processes over the past five years.

Statistic 26

Adoption of electric vehicles for company logistics increased by 30% among pharmaceutical companies in 2023.

Statistic 27

The global green pharmaceutical packaging market size was valued at $7.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% till 2030.

Statistic 28

35% of life science companies have set measurable goals for sustainability reporting.

Statistic 29

The global bio-based pharmaceutical raw material market is projected to reach $4.8 billion by 2027.

Statistic 30

78% of life sciences companies consider sustainability reporting a priority in 2023.

Statistic 31

60% of biotech firms are pursuing sustainability certifications like ISO 14001.

Statistic 32

The global market for sustainable packaging in the life sciences industry is expected to reach $21 billion by 2025.

Statistic 33

Only 18% of life sciences companies report on their environmental impact using globally recognized frameworks.

Statistic 34

The global eco-friendly pharmaceutical packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.1% from 2023 to 2030.

Statistic 35

The adoption of sustainable manufacturing certifications is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13% till 2027.

Statistic 36

70% of life science companies have sustainability as a part of their strategic planning.

Statistic 37

Over 60% of life science companies are increasing their investments in sustainable packaging solutions.

Statistic 38

The use of sustainable raw materials in the life sciences industry has increased by 45% over the past five years.

Statistic 39

The adoption rate of eco-efficient manufacturing processes in the industry has increased by 35% since 2018.

Statistic 40

Only 25% of clinical trials currently incorporate sustainability considerations into their design.

Statistic 41

40% of life science companies have set specific targets for waste reduction.

Statistic 42

50% of life science organizations are exploring biodegradable or compostable materials for packaging.

Statistic 43

The use of carbon-neutral shipping options has increased by 50% among life science companies in the last two years.

Statistic 44

Renewable energy installations in pharma facilities increased by 22% in 2022.

Statistic 45

48% of life sciences companies are incorporating more sustainable supplier sourcing protocols.

Statistic 46

60% of new lab constructions incorporate sustainable design principles.

Statistic 47

65% of life sciences companies are investing in environmental management systems.

Statistic 48

45% of life science companies participate in carbon offset programs.

Statistic 49

55% of life sciences companies are developing or using biodegradable lab consumables.

Statistic 50

Over 90% of pharma companies now have some form of sustainability training or awareness programs.

Statistic 51

12% of life sciences R&D budgets are allocated to sustainability-focused projects.

Statistic 52

50% of clinical trial sites are utilizing energy-efficient equipment to decrease operational emissions.

Statistic 53

40% of life science companies are participating in circular economy initiatives such as reusing materials and recycling.

Statistic 54

By 2025, 50% of all new pharmaceutical R&D will incorporate sustainability criteria into their design and development processes.

Statistic 55

55% of life sciences companies use digital tools to track and improve their sustainability performance.

Statistic 56

60% of pharmaceutical manufacturing sites have adopted energy monitoring systems to optimize energy use.

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Key Highlights

The global life sciences industry is projected to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 through sustainability initiatives.
70% of life science companies have sustainability as a part of their strategic planning.
The pharmaceutical sector accounts for approximately 55% of the CO2 emissions in the life sciences industry, due to manufacturing processes.
Over 60% of life science companies are increasing their investments in sustainable packaging solutions.
Less than 30% of life science companies currently have comprehensive sustainability reporting initiatives.
Renewable energy sources account for only 15% of the energy consumption in life science manufacturing facilities.
80% of life science firms are actively working to reduce their water use in manufacturing processes.
The use of sustainable raw materials in the life sciences industry has increased by 45% over the past five years.
Approximately 65% of new pharmaceutical products launched after 2020 have incorporated sustainability features.
The global market for sustainable packaging in the life sciences industry is expected to reach $21 billion by 2025.
55% of life sciences companies use digital tools to track and improve their sustainability performance.
The adoption rate of eco-efficient manufacturing processes in the industry has increased by 35% since 2018.
Only 25% of clinical trials currently incorporate sustainability considerations into their design.

The life sciences industry is at a pivotal crossroads, with a bold goal to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 and over 70% integrating sustainability into their strategic plans—yet, despite impressive strides in sustainable packaging and green innovations, critical challenges like limited comprehensive reporting and low renewable energy adoption underscore the urgent need for accelerated action in building a truly sustainable future.

Environmental Impact and Resources Consumption

The pharmaceutical sector accounts for approximately 55% of the CO2 emissions in the life sciences industry, due to manufacturing processes.
Renewable energy sources account for only 15% of the energy consumption in life science manufacturing facilities.
80% of life science firms are actively working to reduce their water use in manufacturing processes.
Life sciences companies' sustainability efforts have resulted in a 10% reduction in overall supply chain emissions over the past three years.
The energy consumption of life science laboratories can be reduced by up to 25% through green building practices.
With the adoption of digital solutions, pharmaceutical companies reduced paper use by 60% in documentation processes.
Life science companies that implement circular economy practices report a 12% decrease in waste generation.
Only 20% of manufacturing facilities in the life sciences sector are fully energy-efficient.
The use of single-use plastics in life sciences manufacturing decreased by 18% in 2022.
The industry’s total waste generated per drug launched has decreased by 10% over the last three years.
The industry’s water footprint per unit of product has decreased by 15% over the past five years.
Sustainable water management initiatives have led to a 20% reduction in water consumption in some biotech facilities.
The use of digital twins in manufacturing processes has improved resource efficiency by 18%, reducing waste in the industry.
Increasing automation in labs has reduced chemical waste by 14%, promoting greener processes.
The industry has reduced its carbon footprint per dose manufactured by approximately 12% over the last four years.

Environmental Impact and Resources Consumption Interpretation

Despite pharmaceutical accounting for over half of life sciences' CO2 emissions and only 20% of facilities achieving full energy efficiency, industry efforts like digital innovation and circular economy practices have steadily chipped away at its environmental footprint—proof that even in a sector centered on health, sustainability is increasingly becoming a prescription for progress.

Industry Performance and Commitments

The global life sciences industry is projected to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 through sustainability initiatives.
Less than 30% of life science companies currently have comprehensive sustainability reporting initiatives.
Approximately 65% of new pharmaceutical products launched after 2020 have incorporated sustainability features.
Over 80% of surveyed life science companies have some form of sustainability certification.
The industry is seeing a 20% increase in biodegradable drug delivery systems.
75% of life science companies expect sustainability to become a core part of their business strategy within five years.
35% of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants have achieved LEED certification or equivalent green building standards.
Approximately 80% of life science companies participate in sustainability reporting, but only half disclose quantitative environmental data.
The bio-based materials sector in life sciences grew by 15% in 2022 due to increased demand.
The adoption of green chemistry approaches has increased by 25% in drug development processes over the past five years.
Adoption of electric vehicles for company logistics increased by 30% among pharmaceutical companies in 2023.
The global green pharmaceutical packaging market size was valued at $7.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% till 2030.
35% of life science companies have set measurable goals for sustainability reporting.
The global bio-based pharmaceutical raw material market is projected to reach $4.8 billion by 2027.
78% of life sciences companies consider sustainability reporting a priority in 2023.
60% of biotech firms are pursuing sustainability certifications like ISO 14001.

Industry Performance and Commitments Interpretation

Despite over 80% of life science companies engaging in sustainability initiatives, the industry’s journey towards full transparency and measurable impact remains a work in progress, with only about a third adopting comprehensive reporting and many still bridging the gap between green ambitions and quantifiable results.

Regulatory and Market Trends

The global market for sustainable packaging in the life sciences industry is expected to reach $21 billion by 2025.
Only 18% of life sciences companies report on their environmental impact using globally recognized frameworks.
The global eco-friendly pharmaceutical packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.1% from 2023 to 2030.
The adoption of sustainable manufacturing certifications is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13% till 2027.

Regulatory and Market Trends Interpretation

With the sustainable packaging market poised to hit $21 billion and eco-friendly certifications booming at double-digit growth rates, it's clear that the life sciences industry is finally realizing that going green isn't just good for the planet—it's good for business—though with only 18% reporting on their environmental impact, there's still plenty of room to turn sustainability from a trend into a transparent standard.

Sustainability Initiatives and Strategies

70% of life science companies have sustainability as a part of their strategic planning.
Over 60% of life science companies are increasing their investments in sustainable packaging solutions.
The use of sustainable raw materials in the life sciences industry has increased by 45% over the past five years.
The adoption rate of eco-efficient manufacturing processes in the industry has increased by 35% since 2018.
Only 25% of clinical trials currently incorporate sustainability considerations into their design.
40% of life science companies have set specific targets for waste reduction.
50% of life science organizations are exploring biodegradable or compostable materials for packaging.
The use of carbon-neutral shipping options has increased by 50% among life science companies in the last two years.
Renewable energy installations in pharma facilities increased by 22% in 2022.
48% of life sciences companies are incorporating more sustainable supplier sourcing protocols.
60% of new lab constructions incorporate sustainable design principles.
65% of life sciences companies are investing in environmental management systems.
45% of life science companies participate in carbon offset programs.
55% of life sciences companies are developing or using biodegradable lab consumables.
Over 90% of pharma companies now have some form of sustainability training or awareness programs.
12% of life sciences R&D budgets are allocated to sustainability-focused projects.
50% of clinical trial sites are utilizing energy-efficient equipment to decrease operational emissions.
40% of life science companies are participating in circular economy initiatives such as reusing materials and recycling.
By 2025, 50% of all new pharmaceutical R&D will incorporate sustainability criteria into their design and development processes.

Sustainability Initiatives and Strategies Interpretation

While over 70% of life science companies embed sustainability into their strategic plans, only a quarter incorporate it in clinical trial design — suggesting that in the pursuit of health, the industry is increasingly healing the planet too, albeit at varying speeds.

Technological Adoption and Innovation

55% of life sciences companies use digital tools to track and improve their sustainability performance.
60% of pharmaceutical manufacturing sites have adopted energy monitoring systems to optimize energy use.

Technological Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

With over half of life sciences firms harnessing digital tools and a growing majority of pharmaceutical sites monitoring energy, the industry is now embracing high-tech sustainability practices, proving that when it comes to protecting the planet, science is getting smarter—one byte and bit at a time.