Climate change
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We're taking action from the lab to the patient to accelerate the delivery of net-zero, sustainable healthcare. Decarbonising our operations and value chain, while advancing sustainable patient care, sits at the heart of our strategy. Through our Ambition Zero Carbon programme, we're reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the research, development, manufacture and supply of our medicines.
Our Ambition Zero Carbon targets
98% reduction
35% reduction
90% reduction
In 2026, we updated our Scope 3 emissions reduction target for 2030 from 50% to 35% (relative to a 2019 baseline), reflecting our continued growth trajectory. As we focus on reducing emissions across our value chain to reach net zero, we continue to embed sustainability into everything we do.
The interconnection of climate and health
The science is clear: climate change is increasing levels of ill-health around the world. The most vulnerable populations are the most impacted and health inequities are being worsened as a result of the climate crisis. This is adding pressure to health systems which are already under strain due to the rise in chronic diseases and ageing populations.1
At the same time, the healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 5% of GHG emissions globally, with the majority of emissions coming from the supply and delivery of healthcare.2
As a science-led, patient-focused company, we strive to address the critical link between climate and health, by playing our part to support health systems to become more sustainable, equitable and resilient.
To decarbonise our business and value chain, we follow a hierarchy – eliminate, reduce, and substitute – to deliver absolute GHG emissions reductions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
As one of the first companies globally to have our net zero pathway verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative Net Zero Corporate Standard, we're dedicated to following the science, and we're working collaboratively through innovative partnernerships to drive change.
Key achievements*
88%
82%
>2x
*As at end December 2025. Source: Sustainability Data Annex 2025
Decarbonising our operations and fleet (Scopes 1 and 2)
Energy productivity and renewables
We are reducing our energy consumption and have achieved a 20% absolute reduction in total energy consumption at our sites since 2015.
We have also more than doubled our energy productivity (unit of revenue per unit of energy used at our sites) since 2015.
And, we are investing in new sources of renewable energy to accelerate health sector decarbonisation.
Electric vehicles
We are transitioning our company-owned and leased vehicles to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), where technically feasible.
By reducing emissions from our fleet, we aim to benefit the health of people and the planet. We procure renewable electricity certificates equivalent to our BEV electricity requirements.
Reducing F-gases
We are reducing F-gases released during the production process of current pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) medicines by purging empty canisters in a vacuum instead of using a propellant, and using cryogenic technology to liquefy the gases, enabling storage and removal from site for either incineration or recycling.
Decarbonising our value chain (Scope 3)
Around 98% of our total emissions are Scope 3 emissions from across the value chain.
Product use
Central to our Scope 3 action is transitioning all our pMDIs to a next-generation propellant with near-zero global warming potential (GWP) – 99.9% lower than current propellants.
pMDIs deliver essential, life-saving medicines for millions of people living with respiratory diseases worldwide, including vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Our transition to a near-zero GWP propellant is important to ensure continuity of patient care and access to essential pMDI medicines, while reducing impact on the planet.3,4
Supplier engagement
Engaging with suppliers is key to encouraging the adoption of science-based targets and scaling sustainable solutions. This engagement has resulted in over 80% of our eligible supplier spend now being with partners that have set their own science-based targets.
We are decarbonising shared supply chains through initiatives such as Energize and Converge, which aim to engage pharmaceutical industry suppliers in climate action and sustainability.
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Product distribution and travel
To reduce our Scope 3 footprint from product distribution and business travel we are adopting more sustainable transport solutions, including shifting from air to sea freight and optimising business travel.
We are also supporting innovation in alternative technologies and fuels.
Collaborating across our sector and beyond
Through the Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force, chaired by our CEO, Pascal Soriot, we work with healthcare leaders to accelerate the transition to net zero health systems, from decarbonising supply chains to reducing environmental impact across the patient care pathway.
We were also the first pharmaceutical company to join all three of the following Climate Group initiatives: EP100, RE100 and EV100.
Through our global reforestation and biodiversity initiative we are helping to mitigate the effects of climate change, protect biodiversity, strengthen natural ecosystems and build sustainable livelihoods.
Climate adaptation and resilience
Understanding the potential impacts of climate change is critical for our workforce, local communities, suppliers and partners as we continue to deliver medicines to patients around the world.
We have followed guidance from the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) to address the physical and transitional risks and opportunities presented by climate change. For physical risks, our climate adaptation strategy is aligned to a high-emission scenario for significant sites which supports us to build resilience. For transition risks and opportunities, our climate strategy is designed to address a low-carbon scenario.
References
1. Romanello M. et al. The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: facing record-breaking threats from delayed action. Published online November 9, 2024, Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01822-1/fulltext [Accessed: April 2026].
2. Romanello M. et al. The report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: health at the mercy of fossil fuels. Published online October 25, 2022, Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/ journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)01540-9/fulltext [Accessed: April 2026].
3. World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines – 23rd List, 2023. In: The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: Executive summary of the report of the 24th WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines, 24 – 28 April 2023. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. [Accessed: April 2026].
4. Bell J, et al. An Assessment Of Pressurized Metered-dose Inhaler Use In Countries In Europe And The Rest Of The World. Abstract 24041. The International Primary Care Respiratory Group IPCRG 2024 World Conference, 9-11 May, 2024. [Online]. Available at: https://www.ipcrg.org/24041. [Accessed April 2026].
Veeva ID: Z4-82735
Date of preparation: April 2026