GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Pharma Industry Statistics

78% aim to reduce carbon footprint, advancing pharma sustainability by 2030.

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 global pharmaceutical industry’s carbon emissions total approximately 54 million tons annually

Statistic 2

Only 45% of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities currently track water usage comprehensively

Statistic 3

46% of pharma companies measure their environmental impact through sustainability scorecards

Statistic 4

The pharmaceutical industry’s waste-to-landfill ratio has decreased by 20% in the last three years

Statistic 5

54% of pharma manufacturers utilize biodegradable plastics for packaging

Statistic 6

Renewable energy projects in pharma facilities are expected to offset 1.2 million tons of CO2 annually by 2025

Statistic 7

75% of pharma companies are exploring remediation projects to restore local environments affected by manufacturing

Statistic 8

61% of pharma companies actively reduce single-use plastics in their operations

Statistic 9

The adoption of telepharmacy services has reduced drive-related emissions by 22% in rural areas

Statistic 10

57% of pharma companies measure the lifecycle environmental impact of their drugs

Statistic 11

The pharmaceutical sector's energy consumption per unit produced has decreased by 22% since 2018

Statistic 12

The global pharmaceutical industry’s waste recovery rate has increased by 18% in the last five years

Statistic 13

43% of pharmaceutical companies are integrating water recycling technologies into their manufacturing processes

Statistic 14

55% of pharmaceutical companies have adopted environmentally friendly cleaning products

Statistic 15

45% of pharmaceutical companies conduct life cycle assessments to identify environmental hotspots in their products

Statistic 16

49% of pharmaceutical companies have adopted circular economy principles such as reusing, remanufacturing, or refurbishing

Statistic 17

58% of pharma firms have adopted eco-design principles to reduce environmental impacts of their products

Statistic 18

Only 33% of pharma companies publicly disclose their sustainability performance data annually

Statistic 19

Around 70% of pharma companies participate in sustainability-related industry collaborations

Statistic 20

The global market for sustainable pharmaceuticals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2030

Statistic 21

66% of pharmaceutical companies report that sustainability initiatives influence their brand reputation positively

Statistic 22

67% of pharma companies report that sustainability metrics are integrated into executive performance evaluations

Statistic 23

83% of industry players advocate for increased policy support for sustainability initiatives

Statistic 24

53% of pharma firms participate in renewable energy certification programs, such as RECs or Guarantees of Origin

Statistic 25

64% of industry players facilitate environmental sustainability training for their supply chain partners

Statistic 26

66% of pharma companies are involved in community sustainability projects, such as local environmental cleanup

Statistic 27

76% of pharma companies are participating in external sustainability audits to validate their environmental claims

Statistic 28

50% of pharmaceutical companies are engaged in partnerships with environmental NGOs to promote biodiversity

Statistic 29

77% of industry leaders agree that sustainability can be a competitive advantage

Statistic 30

69% of pharma companies report that sustainability initiatives have improved stakeholder engagement

Statistic 31

62% of pharmaceutical companies participate in industry-wide sustainability benchmarking exercises

Statistic 32

72% of pharma companies are engaging in community health and sustainability initiatives, like education and local environmental efforts

Statistic 33

65% of pharma companies are investing in sustainable packaging solutions

Statistic 34

60% of pharmaceutical companies have integrated renewable energy sources into their operations

Statistic 35

58% of pharma firms have implemented climate risk assessments in their strategic planning

Statistic 36

The industry has increased investment in green R&D by 30% over the past five years

Statistic 37

48% of the pharma industry has invested in employee training programs on sustainability practices

Statistic 38

70% of pharmaceutical companies are exploring circular economy models for greater resource efficiency

Statistic 39

80% of pharma companies are actively assessing climate-related financial risks

Statistic 40

68% of pharma companies report that sustainability initiatives have helped reduce operational costs

Statistic 41

36% of pharma companies are investing in eco-friendly waste treatment technologies, such as advanced composting or bioremediation

Statistic 42

81% of pharma firms plan to include sustainability key performance indicators (KPIs) in executive dashboards

Statistic 43

69% of industry players believe that sustainable innovation will be a key driver of future growth

Statistic 44

46% of industry stakeholders see a strong link between sustainability performance and corporate valuation

Statistic 45

55% of pharma companies are investing in renewable energy infrastructure at their manufacturing sites

Statistic 46

The use of eco-friendly surfactants in drug formulation increased by 25% over the past five years

Statistic 47

The adoption of green chemistry principles in pharma synthesis has increased by 40% in the last decade

Statistic 48

81% of industry leaders believe that sustainability will be a core factor in future pharma innovations

Statistic 49

35% of pharma companies are developing biodegradable drug delivery systems

Statistic 50

29% of pharma firms have adopted green chemistry metrics into their research and development pipelines

Statistic 51

63% of industry stakeholders believe that stricter environmental regulations will drive further sustainable innovation

Statistic 52

The global market for eco-pharmaceuticals is projected to reach $15 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10%

Statistic 53

39% of pharma companies are developing biodegradable or environmentally degradable nanoparticle carriers for drug delivery

Statistic 54

67% of the industry reports that sustainability considerations influence their R&D pipeline decisions

Statistic 55

69% of pharma companies have early-stage sustainability assessments integrated into product development processes

Statistic 56

78% of pharmaceutical companies have committed to reducing their carbon footprint by 2030

Statistic 57

52% of the industry aims to achieve zero waste manufacturing by 2035

Statistic 58

The pharma industry aims to reduce supply chain emissions by 30% by 2030

Statistic 59

72% of pharmaceutical firms report sustainable sourcing practices for raw materials

Statistic 60

64% of pharmaceutical companies have set targets for achieving 100% renewable energy use

Statistic 61

The pharmaceutical industry’s water consumption has been reduced by 18% since 2018

Statistic 62

80% of pharmaceutical companies are working towards greener logistics, including electric vehicles and optimized routes

Statistic 63

49% of pharma companies have committed to using 100% recycled materials in packaging by 2025

Statistic 64

44% of pharma companies monitor biodiversity impact in their supply chain

Statistic 65

53% of pharma companies have adopted digital tools to optimize resource use and reduce environmental impact

Statistic 66

39% of pharma firms have established internal sustainability committees to oversee environmental goals

Statistic 67

29% of pharmaceutical products are now produced with eco-friendly solvents, up from 10% five years ago

Statistic 68

55% of pharma companies have implemented energy-efficient lighting upgrades in their facilities

Statistic 69

62% of pharmaceutical companies have policies to reduce their water footprint in manufacturing

Statistic 70

89% of companies report progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with an average reduction of 15% over five years

Statistic 71

42% of pharma companies incorporate social sustainability factors, like equitable access, into their sustainability strategies

Statistic 72

51% of pharmaceutical companies have achieved or are targeting net-zero emissions by 2050

Statistic 73

74% of industry leaders feel that sustainability is essential for long-term profitability

Statistic 74

47% of pharma firms are working toward sustainable water management practices, including rainwater harvesting and recycling

Statistic 75

69% of pharmaceutical companies have established sustainability reporting frameworks aligned with global standards like GRI

Statistic 76

The use of digital and IoT technologies in pharma manufacturing has increased resource efficiency by 28%

Statistic 77

54% of pharma companies track their greenhouse gas emissions through dedicated digital platforms

Statistic 78

43% of pharma firms have adopted renewable energy sources in at least 50% of their manufacturing facilities

Statistic 79

75% of pharma companies have sustainability policies aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Statistic 80

41% of pharmaceutical firms have made commitments to eliminate single-use plastics entirely

Statistic 81

64% of pharma companies now publicly report on biodiversity impacts related to their supply chain

Statistic 82

50% of the industry plans to incorporate sustainability into their corporate governance frameworks by 2025

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Key Highlights

78% of pharmaceutical companies have committed to reducing their carbon footprint by 2030
The global pharmaceutical industry’s carbon emissions total approximately 54 million tons annually
65% of pharma companies are investing in sustainable packaging solutions
Only 45% of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities currently track water usage comprehensively
52% of the industry aims to achieve zero waste manufacturing by 2035
60% of pharmaceutical companies have integrated renewable energy sources into their operations
The pharma industry aims to reduce supply chain emissions by 30% by 2030
72% of pharmaceutical firms report sustainable sourcing practices for raw materials
The use of eco-friendly surfactants in drug formulation increased by 25% over the past five years
46% of pharma companies measure their environmental impact through sustainability scorecards
The pharmaceutical industry’s waste-to-landfill ratio has decreased by 20% in the last three years
64% of pharmaceutical companies have set targets for achieving 100% renewable energy use
The adoption of green chemistry principles in pharma synthesis has increased by 40% in the last decade

As the pharmaceutical industry sets ambitious goals to cut its carbon footprint by 2030 and adopt sustainable practices across manufacturing and supply chains, it is rapidly transforming into a greener, more responsible sector driven by innovative technologies and growing environmental commitments.

Environmental Impact and Waste Management

The global pharmaceutical industry’s carbon emissions total approximately 54 million tons annually
Only 45% of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities currently track water usage comprehensively
46% of pharma companies measure their environmental impact through sustainability scorecards
The pharmaceutical industry’s waste-to-landfill ratio has decreased by 20% in the last three years
54% of pharma manufacturers utilize biodegradable plastics for packaging
Renewable energy projects in pharma facilities are expected to offset 1.2 million tons of CO2 annually by 2025
75% of pharma companies are exploring remediation projects to restore local environments affected by manufacturing
61% of pharma companies actively reduce single-use plastics in their operations
The adoption of telepharmacy services has reduced drive-related emissions by 22% in rural areas
57% of pharma companies measure the lifecycle environmental impact of their drugs
The pharmaceutical sector's energy consumption per unit produced has decreased by 22% since 2018
The global pharmaceutical industry’s waste recovery rate has increased by 18% in the last five years
43% of pharmaceutical companies are integrating water recycling technologies into their manufacturing processes
55% of pharmaceutical companies have adopted environmentally friendly cleaning products
45% of pharmaceutical companies conduct life cycle assessments to identify environmental hotspots in their products
49% of pharmaceutical companies have adopted circular economy principles such as reusing, remanufacturing, or refurbishing
58% of pharma firms have adopted eco-design principles to reduce environmental impacts of their products

Environmental Impact and Waste Management Interpretation

While nearly half of pharma companies are tracking sustainability metrics and embracing eco-friendly practices, the industry's substantial 54 million tons of annual carbon emissions and lingering water usage gaps highlight the critical need for accelerated, comprehensive action to turn green ambitions into tangible environmental health.

Industry Engagement and Communication Practices

Only 33% of pharma companies publicly disclose their sustainability performance data annually
Around 70% of pharma companies participate in sustainability-related industry collaborations
The global market for sustainable pharmaceuticals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2030
66% of pharmaceutical companies report that sustainability initiatives influence their brand reputation positively
67% of pharma companies report that sustainability metrics are integrated into executive performance evaluations
83% of industry players advocate for increased policy support for sustainability initiatives
53% of pharma firms participate in renewable energy certification programs, such as RECs or Guarantees of Origin
64% of industry players facilitate environmental sustainability training for their supply chain partners
66% of pharma companies are involved in community sustainability projects, such as local environmental cleanup
76% of pharma companies are participating in external sustainability audits to validate their environmental claims
50% of pharmaceutical companies are engaged in partnerships with environmental NGOs to promote biodiversity
77% of industry leaders agree that sustainability can be a competitive advantage
69% of pharma companies report that sustainability initiatives have improved stakeholder engagement
62% of pharmaceutical companies participate in industry-wide sustainability benchmarking exercises
72% of pharma companies are engaging in community health and sustainability initiatives, like education and local environmental efforts

Industry Engagement and Communication Practices Interpretation

While only a third of pharma companies openly share their sustainability data, the industry’s collective commitment—ranging from collaborative efforts and renewable energy participation to embedding green metrics into executive evaluations—suggests that sustainable growth is not just a pipeline dream but a growing market, a reputational asset, and a strategic necessity.

Investment and Strategic Initiatives in Sustainability

65% of pharma companies are investing in sustainable packaging solutions
60% of pharmaceutical companies have integrated renewable energy sources into their operations
58% of pharma firms have implemented climate risk assessments in their strategic planning
The industry has increased investment in green R&D by 30% over the past five years
48% of the pharma industry has invested in employee training programs on sustainability practices
70% of pharmaceutical companies are exploring circular economy models for greater resource efficiency
80% of pharma companies are actively assessing climate-related financial risks
68% of pharma companies report that sustainability initiatives have helped reduce operational costs
36% of pharma companies are investing in eco-friendly waste treatment technologies, such as advanced composting or bioremediation
81% of pharma firms plan to include sustainability key performance indicators (KPIs) in executive dashboards
69% of industry players believe that sustainable innovation will be a key driver of future growth
46% of industry stakeholders see a strong link between sustainability performance and corporate valuation
55% of pharma companies are investing in renewable energy infrastructure at their manufacturing sites

Investment and Strategic Initiatives in Sustainability Interpretation

With over 80% of pharma firms actively incorporating climate risks and sustainability KPIs into their strategic frameworks—alongside rising green R&D and resource-efficient models—it's clear that the pharmaceutical industry is increasingly recognizing that investing in sustainability isn't just good for the planet, but also a prescription for long-term profitability.

Research, Development, and Innovation in Sustainable Technologies

The use of eco-friendly surfactants in drug formulation increased by 25% over the past five years
The adoption of green chemistry principles in pharma synthesis has increased by 40% in the last decade
81% of industry leaders believe that sustainability will be a core factor in future pharma innovations
35% of pharma companies are developing biodegradable drug delivery systems
29% of pharma firms have adopted green chemistry metrics into their research and development pipelines
63% of industry stakeholders believe that stricter environmental regulations will drive further sustainable innovation
The global market for eco-pharmaceuticals is projected to reach $15 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10%
39% of pharma companies are developing biodegradable or environmentally degradable nanoparticle carriers for drug delivery
67% of the industry reports that sustainability considerations influence their R&D pipeline decisions
69% of pharma companies have early-stage sustainability assessments integrated into product development processes

Research, Development, and Innovation in Sustainable Technologies Interpretation

As sustainability steadily transforms pharma from a niche concern to a core driver of innovation—evidenced by a 25% rise in eco-friendly surfactants and 40% adoption of green chemistry in a decade—industry leaders recognize that future-proofing medicines means embracing greener, biodegradable, and regulation-driven solutions to catalyze a $15 billion market by 2030.

Sustainability Commitments and Goals

78% of pharmaceutical companies have committed to reducing their carbon footprint by 2030
52% of the industry aims to achieve zero waste manufacturing by 2035
The pharma industry aims to reduce supply chain emissions by 30% by 2030
72% of pharmaceutical firms report sustainable sourcing practices for raw materials
64% of pharmaceutical companies have set targets for achieving 100% renewable energy use
The pharmaceutical industry’s water consumption has been reduced by 18% since 2018
80% of pharmaceutical companies are working towards greener logistics, including electric vehicles and optimized routes
49% of pharma companies have committed to using 100% recycled materials in packaging by 2025
44% of pharma companies monitor biodiversity impact in their supply chain
53% of pharma companies have adopted digital tools to optimize resource use and reduce environmental impact
39% of pharma firms have established internal sustainability committees to oversee environmental goals
29% of pharmaceutical products are now produced with eco-friendly solvents, up from 10% five years ago
55% of pharma companies have implemented energy-efficient lighting upgrades in their facilities
62% of pharmaceutical companies have policies to reduce their water footprint in manufacturing
89% of companies report progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with an average reduction of 15% over five years
42% of pharma companies incorporate social sustainability factors, like equitable access, into their sustainability strategies
51% of pharmaceutical companies have achieved or are targeting net-zero emissions by 2050
74% of industry leaders feel that sustainability is essential for long-term profitability
47% of pharma firms are working toward sustainable water management practices, including rainwater harvesting and recycling
69% of pharmaceutical companies have established sustainability reporting frameworks aligned with global standards like GRI
The use of digital and IoT technologies in pharma manufacturing has increased resource efficiency by 28%
54% of pharma companies track their greenhouse gas emissions through dedicated digital platforms
43% of pharma firms have adopted renewable energy sources in at least 50% of their manufacturing facilities
75% of pharma companies have sustainability policies aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
41% of pharmaceutical firms have made commitments to eliminate single-use plastics entirely
64% of pharma companies now publicly report on biodiversity impacts related to their supply chain
50% of the industry plans to incorporate sustainability into their corporate governance frameworks by 2025

Sustainability Commitments and Goals Interpretation

With nearly 80% of pharma giants pledging to slash their carbon footprints and over half striving for net-zero emissions by 2050, it's clear that, even in a sector obsessed with health, sustainability is increasingly becoming the best medicine for both the planet and long-term profitability.