“Distefar, highly conscious of the environment, welcomes and echoes the environmental transformation that the pharmaceutical industry is undergoing towards sustainability.”
The goal of net zero emissions is a global commitment shared by many industries, including pharmaceuticals. However, the path to true sustainability goes beyond simple regulatory compliance. Rather than just following the rules, companies must transform their operational, mental and strategic practices to take an active role as environmental leaders.
The pharmaceutical industry is at a crossroads. On the one hand, it must comply with sustainability regulations, such as those required by the European Green Deal, which aims for decarbonisation and sustainability by 2050. On the other, it faces the challenge of integrating environmental objectives into all its operations, from the design of its facilities to its supply chains. The real challenge is not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but to make sustainability an integral part of corporate culture.
Compliance versus leadership
The difference between compliance and environmental leadership lies in proactivity. While complying with regulations is essential, the companies that really make a difference are those that not only adapt their practices to meet standards, but exceed them. The key is to set achievable and measurable goals for reducing carbon emissions, an objective supported by more than 10,000 companies committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative.
In this regard, companies such as GSK and AstraZeneca have taken a step forward by incorporating more sustainable practices into their supply chains, while others, such as Orkla, have also used waste heat from their production to generate heating for the community, reducing carbon emissions and contributing to a circular economy.
Integrated sustainability
As stakeholder expectations focus on environmental impact, the use of new technologies and innovative approaches to process efficiency has become a competitive advantage. In fact, some companies are already choosing to use recycled materials and reuse water from their plants to reduce emissions, decisions that, when combined appropriately, can achieve surprising results.
The use of new technologies and innovative approaches to process efficiency has become a competitive advantage
In addition, LEED and BREEAM certifications are common frameworks in the industry for assessing the sustainability of buildings. However, companies must go beyond using them as a mere marketing tool and adopt them within a broader environmental strategy that drives significant reductions in emissions and resource consumption.
A critical factor: water management
Water management is one of the most pressing challenges in the pharmaceutical industry, where this resource is essential for production processes. With water scarcity and unpredictable availability on the rise, companies must be smarter in their use of water, adopting approaches such as wastewater treatment for reuse.
In this regard, there are strategies for implementing innovative water governance solutions. NIRAS, a consulting firm specialising in engineering, development and sustainability, highlights the 4Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink water consumption. ‘In addition, companies should consider creating a net positive impact on ecosystems by contributing more clean water to the environment than they extract, an initiative that, if widely adopted, could have a major global impact,’ they note.
All in all, the road to net zero emissions in the pharmaceutical industry is not easy. It requires not only adapting to regulations, but also transforming mindsets and adopting a more holistic approach to sustainability. This involves integrating the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and applying these principles to all facets of operations: from the design of sustainable facilities and more efficient clean rooms to the implementation of innovative water and energy management solutions.
In this context, NIRAS highlights the importance of creating smart facilities that not only meet standards but exceed them, contributing to a more sustainable future for the sector.
The pharmaceutical industry is at a turning point on its path to sustainability. For companies to truly make a difference, they must go beyond mere compliance and embrace environmental responsibility as a strategic commitment. Setting clear goals, adopting innovative technologies, and collaborating with expert partners are crucial steps to becoming leaders in sustainability. In doing so, companies will not only contribute to global climate goals, but also establish a significant competitive advantage in a world increasingly focused on sustainability.
