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Recipharm is at the forefront of change as a DCAT Sustainability Leader
Amid escalating concerns about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and heightened atmospheric CO2 levels, global initiatives like the Paris Agreement emphasise reducing environmental impact.
The Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 by 195 countries, including the European Union (EU), and aims to reduce their economies’ GHG emissions by 45% by 2030, reach net zero by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5oC1.
Within this landscape, the pharmaceutical sector emerges as a pivotal player tasked with aligning its operations with sustainability goals. However, championing the aims of the Paris Agreement comes with multiple hurdles.
Navigating industry challenges to achieving Paris Agreement targets
The path to sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry is riddled with obstacles. Ambiguities in emission reporting, fragmented terminology and disjointed industry coordination pose hurdles in reducing GHG emissions. Critical to overcoming these challenges are the Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT) Sustainability Leaders who are pivotal in spearheading the pharmaceutical industry’s sustainability journey. Their collaborative initiatives drive sustainability strategies, influencing a shift towards a greener, more responsible pharmaceutical sector. Faced with evolving regulations, DCAT Sustainability Leaders advocate for stringent yet achievable emission reduction targets, aligning the industry with new environmental standards.
Clarity in emissions reporting: The extent of a company’s carbon footprint is often miscalculated and underestimated. Recognising the collective impact throughout the value chain, from suppliers to waste disposal, is crucial. This includes external suppliers, contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs), and even waste disposal by end patients and clinics. To effectively address their environmental impact and align with the Paris Agreement, companies must consider emissions throughout the entire supply chain. Addressing the complexities of measuring emissions, DCAT leaders advocate standardised reporting methods for accurate emissions assessment.
A commitment to the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi): This initiative supports companies in structuring their GHG protocol to meet science-based targets, in turn ensuring companies’ climate goals are truly meaningful in reducing global carbon footprint1. These climate-related targets take on a holistic perspective, encompassing both direct (Scope 1 and 2) and value-chain emissions (Scope 3), forming the cornerstone of effective carbon footprint mitigation.
Collective targets for emissions mitigation: Industry-wide collaboration falters due to inadequate visibility across the supply network, making it difficult to pinpoint key carbon contributors. A lack of understanding of product and packaging disposal compounds this challenge. Isolated goal-setting limits impact, hampering the collective GHG reduction endeavours within the pharmaceutical sector.
Harmonising emissions terminology: The interchangeability of terms like “carbon neutral,” “carbon negative,” and “net-zero” instigates confusion, hindering progress. Precision in language is paramount for companies to communicate their environmental efforts accurately.
Explore how we are contributing to the global pharma industry’s reduction of carbon emissions as DCAT Sustainability Leaders in the DCAT Value Chain Insights. To read the full article scroll to page 32 of the latest issue.
References:
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United Nations. The Paris Agreement. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/paris-agreement
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Science Based Targets. Available at: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/
