While the pharmaceutical industry is responsible for over 78 million tonnes of CO2 annually, a transformation towards sustainability is taking hold as leading companies demonstrate significant progress in cutting emissions, conserving water, and reducing waste.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the global pharmaceutical industry generated 78 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions, accounting for 3.4% of total healthcare sector emissions.
- Pfizer reported a 23% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per API kg from 2015 to 2022, achieving 0.12 tCO2e per kg.
- GSK's absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions decreased by 15% from 2019 to 2022, totaling 1.2 million tCO2e.
- Global pharma water withdrawal averages 1.5 billion cubic meters annually, with 70% for cooling in manufacturing.
- Pfizer recycled 85% of its water in 2022, reducing freshwater use to 2.1 billion liters.
- GSK withdrew 1.8 billion liters of water in 2022, with zero discharge to freshwater in 90% of sites.
- Global pharma industry generated 250,000 tonnes of hazardous waste in 2021.
- Pfizer diverted 98% of non-hazardous waste from landfill in 2022.
- GSK reduced waste intensity by 25% since 2015 to 45 kg per million CHF sales.
- Pharma industry energy consumption totals 200 TWh annually, 2% of global industrial use.
- Pfizer sourced 45% renewable electricity in 2022, up from 20% in 2019.
- GSK achieved 100% renewable electricity globally by 2022.
- 52% of pharma companies use recycled plastics in packaging by 2023.
- Pfizer sources 30% sustainable palm oil for packaging.
- GSK 100% responsibly sourced priority materials by 2022.
The pharmaceutical industry has a major environmental impact but makes steady progress.
Carbon Emissions and Climate Change
- In 2022, the global pharmaceutical industry generated 78 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions, accounting for 3.4% of total healthcare sector emissions.
- Pfizer reported a 23% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per API kg from 2015 to 2022, achieving 0.12 tCO2e per kg.
- GSK's absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions decreased by 15% from 2019 to 2022, totaling 1.2 million tCO2e.
- The industry-wide carbon footprint from manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) represents 45% of total pharma GHG emissions.
- Novartis reduced its GHG emissions intensity by 25% since 2015, reaching 45 kg CO2e per million CHF net sales in 2023.
- Sanofi emitted 2.1 million tCO2e across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 in 2022, with a 20% reduction target by 2030 from 2019 baseline.
- AstraZeneca's Scope 3 emissions constitute 95% of total 18.5 million tCO2e in 2022, primarily from purchased goods.
- Johnson & Johnson reported 4.8 million metric tons CO2e total GHG emissions in 2022, down 12% from 2020.
- Merck & Co. achieved a 24% reduction in GHG emissions intensity since 2015, with 2022 Scope 1+2 at 1.1 million MT.
- Roche's global GHG emissions totaled 1.9 million tCO2e in 2022, with 50% renewable energy coverage.
- Eli Lilly reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% from 2019 to 2022, equating to 0.8 million tCO2e.
- Bristol Myers Squibb's emissions intensity fell 18% per product unit from 2018-2022.
- AbbVie's Scope 1 and 2 emissions were 0.9 million tCO2e in 2022, targeting net-zero by 2050.
- Teva Pharmaceuticals emitted 1.4 million tCO2e Scope 1+2+3 in 2022, focusing on API supply chain reductions.
- The pharma industry's projected emissions could rise 50% by 2030 without intervention, per PwC analysis.
- Bayer reduced GHG emissions by 17% intensity-wise from 2019-2022, totaling 2.3 million tCO2e.
- Boehringer Ingelheim's Scope 1+2 emissions dropped 22% since 2017, at 0.6 million tCO2e in 2022.
- Amgen reported 1.2 million tCO2e total emissions in 2022, with 40% from manufacturing.
- Biogen achieved 28% reduction in GHG emissions per revenue dollar since 2010.
- CSL Behring's emissions totaled 0.7 million tCO2e in 2022, targeting SBTi alignment.
- Gilead Sciences reduced Scope 1+2 by 15% from 2015-2022.
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals emitted 0.3 million tCO2e Scope 1+2 in 2022.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals targets 50% Scope 1+2 reduction by 2030 from 2018 base of 0.1 million tCO2e.
- Industry average Scope 3 emissions multiplier for pharma is 500x Scope 1+2, per Carbon Trust.
- EU pharma manufacturing emissions reached 10 million tCO2e in 2021.
- US pharma sector GHG emissions were 15 million MT CO2e from facilities in 2020.
- Chinese API producers account for 40% of global pharma emissions.
- Lonza reduced emissions intensity by 35% per ton of product since 2015.
- Catalent's GHG footprint is 1.5 million tCO2e annually, 80% Scope 3.
- WuXi AppTec emitted 0.9 million tCO2e in 2022, targeting carbon neutrality by 2040.
Carbon Emissions and Climate Change Interpretation
While individual pharma giants are proudly trimming their carbon waistlines, the industry's colossal and growing 78-million-tonne carbon footprint, driven by a supply chain monster 500 times its own operations, reveals a sobering truth: we're meticulously fixing the sprinkler system while the factory next door is still on fire.
Energy Consumption and Renewables
- Pharma industry energy consumption totals 200 TWh annually, 2% of global industrial use.
- Pfizer sourced 45% renewable electricity in 2022, up from 20% in 2019.
- GSK achieved 100% renewable electricity globally by 2022.
- Novartis energy intensity reduced 28% since 2005 to 1.2 MWh per million CHF.
- Sanofi used 15 TWh energy in 2022, 30% from renewables.
- AstraZeneca 100% renewable electricity since 2020.
- Johnson & Johnson 98% renewable energy coverage in 2022.
- Merck reduced energy use 22% per major product since 2005.
- Roche procured 70% renewable energy, total use 8 TWh.
- Eli Lilly energy intensity down 25% since 2007.
- Bristol Myers Squibb 50% renewable electricity by 2022.
- AbbVie 100% renewable electricity target for 2025, 60% in 2022.
- Teva energy use 10 TWh, reducing intensity 18% since 2015.
- Bayer renewable share 40%, total energy 25 TWh in 2022.
- Boehringer Ingelheim LED retrofits saved 20% energy.
- Amgen 100% renewable electricity since 2022.
- Biogen 100% renewable energy globally.
- CSL 75% renewable energy in operations.
- Gilead 85% renewable electricity.
- Regeneron energy efficiency up 30% via HVAC upgrades.
- Vertex targets 100% renewables by 2025.
- API synthesis energy intensity 50-100 GJ/ton.
- EU pharma energy 50 TWh/year.
- US pharma electricity use 40 TWh in 2020.
- Lonza 50% renewable energy.
- Catalent energy reduction 15% since 2019.
- WuXi 35% renewable share.
Energy Consumption and Renewables Interpretation
While the pharmaceutical industry's annual 200 TWh energy appetite is a hefty pill to swallow, the collective sprint towards renewables and efficiency by major players proves the sector is finally intent on curing its own carbon hangover.
Supply Chain and Sustainable Materials
- 52% of pharma companies use recycled plastics in packaging by 2023.
- Pfizer sources 30% sustainable palm oil for packaging.
- GSK 100% responsibly sourced priority materials by 2022.
- Novartis sustainable procurement covers 80% spend.
- Sanofi 70% suppliers assessed for sustainability.
- AstraZeneca deforestation-free supply chain for wood fibers.
- Johnson & Johnson 95% sustainable packaging materials.
- Merck 60% recycled content in secondary packaging.
- Roche 100% FSC-certified paper packaging.
- Eli Lilly supplier sustainability audits cover 90% Tier 1.
- Bristol Myers Squibb 75% sustainable sourcing for plastics.
- AbbVie 85% suppliers CDP responders.
- Teva 40% recycled PET in bottles.
- Bayer sustainable cotton for 50% packaging.
- Boehringer Ingelheim 100% traceability for APIs.
- Amgen 90% sustainable palm derivatives.
- Biogen circular packaging pilots reduce virgin plastic 20%.
- CSL ethical sourcing verified for 95% materials.
- Gilead 65% low-carbon materials in packaging.
- Regeneron supplier code adherence 98%.
- Vertex 100% RSPO-certified palm oil.
- Pharma supply chain Scope 3 emissions 90% of total.
- 65% pharma suppliers in Asia face high water risk.
- EU mandates 25% recycled content in pharma plastics by 2030.
- US pharma imports 80% APIs from China/India.
- Lonza 85% sustainable chemistry solvents.
- Catalent 70% recyclable packaging.
- WuXi 95% supplier audits for ESG.
Supply Chain and Sustainable Materials Interpretation
While the industry is earnestly counting its recycled percentages, its staggering supply chain footprint whispers that it's still just tinkering at the edges of the problem.
Waste Reduction and Management
- Global pharma industry generated 250,000 tonnes of hazardous waste in 2021.
- Pfizer diverted 98% of non-hazardous waste from landfill in 2022.
- GSK reduced waste intensity by 25% since 2015 to 45 kg per million CHF sales.
- Novartis generated 120,000 tonnes total waste in 2022, 75% recycled.
- Sanofi hazardous waste was 15,000 tonnes, 90% incinerated responsibly.
- AstraZeneca achieved zero waste to landfill globally by 2022.
- Johnson & Johnson recycled 94% of manufacturing waste in 2022.
- Merck generated 50,000 tonnes waste, reducing 20% per API kg since 2015.
- Roche diverted 96% waste from disposal, totaling 80,000 tonnes generated.
- Eli Lilly waste to landfill <1% of 40,000 tonnes total in 2022.
- Bristol Myers Squibb recycled 92% of 25,000 tonnes waste.
- AbbVie achieved 99% waste diversion rate in 2022.
- Teva reduced packaging waste by 30% since 2018.
- Bayer generated 100,000 tonnes waste, 85% recycled or recovered.
- Boehringer Ingelheim waste intensity down 28% since 2015.
- Amgen zero solid waste to landfill in manufacturing sites.
- Biogen recycled 97% of operational waste in 2022.
- CSL diverted 95% waste from landfill.
- Gilead waste generation 20,000 tonnes, 88% diverted.
- Regeneron achieved 100% waste diversion by 2022.
- Vertex reduced solvent waste by 40% through green chemistry.
- Pharma solvent waste accounts for 80% of VOC emissions.
- EU pharma hazardous waste incineration rate 95%.
- US pharma generated 1.2 million tons non-haz waste in 2020.
- India pharma waste 100,000 tonnes hazardous annually.
- Lonza recycled 99% non-haz waste.
- Catalent zero landfill waste target met in 2022.
- WuXi reduced waste by 25% intensity.
Waste Reduction and Management Interpretation
The statistics reveal an industry caught in a paradox: while it laudably champions a zero-waste, circular future, its sheer scale means a single company's annual hazardous waste could still dwarf a small city's yearly trash.
Water Usage and Management
- Global pharma water withdrawal averages 1.5 billion cubic meters annually, with 70% for cooling in manufacturing.
- Pfizer recycled 85% of its water in 2022, reducing freshwater use to 2.1 billion liters.
- GSK withdrew 1.8 billion liters of water in 2022, with zero discharge to freshwater in 90% of sites.
- Novartis reduced water intensity by 30% since 2003, using 1.2 billion m³ in 2022.
- Sanofi consumed 1.4 billion m³ water in 2022, targeting 20% reduction by 2025 per production unit.
- AstraZeneca's water use totaled 900 million liters in 2022, with 75% recycled.
- Johnson & Johnson sites achieved 100% water positivity in manufacturing by 2022.
- Merck & Co. withdrew 2.3 billion gallons of water in 2022, reducing intensity 25% since 2015.
- Roche reused 60% of water across operations, consuming 1.1 billion m³ in 2022.
- Eli Lilly reduced absolute water use by 18% from 2019-2022 to 800 million liters.
- Bristol Myers Squibb water withdrawal was 1.5 billion liters in 2022, 80% from sustainable sources.
- AbbVie achieved 50% water reduction in high-stress areas since 2015.
- Teva recycled 70% of process water, totaling 2.0 billion m³ withdrawal in 2022.
- Bayer's water use efficiency improved 22%, consuming 3.2 billion m³ in 2022.
- Boehringer Ingelheim withdrew 600 million m³ water, with 95% recycling in biotech sites.
- Amgen's water intensity dropped 40% per batch since 2015 to 15 m³ per 1000L product.
- Biogen replenished 120% of water used in 2022 via restoration projects.
- CSL's plasma facilities use 90% recycled water, total withdrawal 400 million liters.
- Gilead reduced water use by 25% intensity from 2015-2022.
- Regeneron withdrew 200 million gallons annually, targeting zero liquid discharge.
- Vertex achieved water positivity at all sites by 2023.
- Pharma industry water pollution contributes 10% of total industrial effluent COD.
- EU pharma water use averages 10-20 m³ per ton of product.
- US facilities withdrew 5 billion gallons for pharma in 2020.
- India API manufacturing uses 200 m³ water per ton API.
- Lonza recycled 92% water in 2022, reducing net use to 0.5 billion liters.
- Catalent water withdrawal 1.2 billion liters, 65% recycled.
- WuXi water efficiency up 30%, total 1.8 billion m³ in 2022.
Water Usage and Management Interpretation
While the pharmaceutical industry’s colossal thirst—chugging billions of cubic meters annually—is sobering, the aggressive race among companies to outdo each other in recycling, replenishment, and efficiency is proving that turning the tide on water waste is no longer just a pill they hope we'll swallow.
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