From promises to progress: How pharma can lead on climate action

This article outlines key drivers of change toward sustainability and how companies can achieve and surpass compliance, establishing themselves as leaders in this domain. We’ll showcase client success stories and highlight practical, actionable strategies to help pharmaceutical companies reach their sustainability goals.

Pharma and the EU Green Deal

The EU Green Deal outlines the goal of achieving zero net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and decoupling resource use from economic growth (1). Reforms in EU legislation for the pharmaceutical sector highlight key challenges, including making therapies accessible across the EU, combating antimicrobial resistance, and making medicines more environmentally sustainable (2). Achieving the latter goal requires a shift in mindset, from treating environmental targets as a box-ticking exercise to embedding them as a core part of company policy. Keeping up appearances is not enough. Measurable action is required.

Environmental concerns continue to grow, demanding long-term, sustainable action. Companies that act early are best positioned to reap the greatest return on their investment, as stakeholder expectations shift toward environmental impact, and new technologies promise increased process efficiencies (3,4). NIRAS has a proven track record of guiding companies through critical decisions that support alignment with Green Deal targets.For example, it has helped companies reduce carbon emissions while covering their heating needs. One such case is the Orkla snack company. With guidance from NIRAS, Orkla began using excess heat from its production processes not only to heat its own facility but also to supply heat to 200 homes in the surrounding community. This initiative also led to a significant reduction in Orkla’s carbon emissions.

Setting achievable and measurable goals

At the time of writing, over 10,000 companies have committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a nonprofit organization that establishes gold standards for companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint (5). As part of this initiative, companies develop a framework for reducing emissions, which, if effectively implemented, offers a clear route to meeting the targets of the Paris Agreement (6).
The pharmaceutical industry must address emissions across different areas, including supply chains and Scope 1 and 2 emissions from facilities (7). Industry leaders, including GSK and AstraZeneca, are rising to the challenge by committing to reducing emissions through enhanced supply chain practices as part of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) Health Systems Task Force (8,9).

In the coming years, the pharmaceutical industry's credibility will hinge on how well it maintains alignment with its climate commitments and delivers on its corporate emission targets. Collaborating with expert partners, such as NIRAS, can play a crucial role in helping companies not only achieve these goals but also lead from the front.

NIRAS played a key role in designing Carlsberg’s new head office facilities, featuring a sleek façade made from 50% recycled copper and a green rooftop that helps manage rainwater circulation. NIRAS also led the development of the Water Recycling Plant at Carlsberg’s Fredericia Brewery in Denmark, which enabled the company to recycle 90% of its process water and reduce overall water usage by 50%. Carlsberg and NIRAS didn’t simply comply with standards; they set a new benchmark for sustainability and were awarded for their efforts.

Building greener foundations

Carbon emissions are produced across the entire value chain of pharmaceutical companies(10). Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) provide frameworks for assessing the environmental sustainability of buildings, with LEED being the most widely used (11,12). However, companies should not treat these certifications as a means to merely appear compliant with climate goals. Instead, they should integrate these frameworks into a broader, genuinely effective strategy for reducing emissions and promoting environmental responsibility.

NIRAS supports the development and improvement of pharmaceutical facilities through services including GMP consulting, facility design, and process modernization, from production to packaging. The approach is guided by the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping companies to go beyond compliance and make meaningful contributions to global sustainability (13). This holistic strategy reduces environmental impact, fosters innovation, and creates long-term value across the value chain, resulting in facilities that meet strict standards and support net-zero and broader environmental, social, and economic sustainability objectives.

NIRAS Focus areas: Cleanroom design

Cleanrooms can use up to 100 times more energy than office spaces, making them a critical focus for pharmaceutical companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint (14). However, they are also crucial areas of production and research, meaning any changes must not compromise functionality. 

• NIRAS offers solutions that optimize cleanroom design, making them more sustainable, safer, and better suited to their intended purpose, while ensuring they meet the requirements for cleanroom class. These solutions include:
• Sustainability - Focusing on optimizing HVAC efficiency to reduce energy consumption and support sustainable operations.
• Layout Design - Designing cleanroom layouts that are purpose-built and adaptable, allowing for flexibility to accommodate evolving needs, such as dancefloor-style arrangements.
• ATEX and Automatic Gas Alarm Systems - Installing advanced systems that ensure the safety and protection of personnel.
  Testing and Validation - Conducting thorough qualification and validation of classified areas to ensure they meet regulatory compliance standards.

Caught in the current: Pharma and water risk

Water is a critical resource for production industries, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, where it plays a vital role in manufacturing processes, including cleaning and formulation. Water quality and usage also have a direct impact on the environment, making responsible water management a priority.
Seasonal water availability is expected to become more unpredictable, increasing the need for sustainable alternatives to groundwater sourcing. Choosing how to manage and source water will become an increasingly complex and consequential decision for industries in the coming years (15).

NIRAS supports its clients in implementing effective water governance by leveraging a range of concepts and frameworks, including:

• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) - A water treatment approach where all wastewater is purified and reused, leaving no liquid waste (16).
• The 4Rs: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink” - A framework that promotes sustainable water use by reducing consumption, reusing and recycling water, and rethinking traditional practices. Read more about a NIRAS project in the Pharma and Life Science sector.
• Carbon disclosure project water security program - A program that helps companies disclose and manage water-related risks, encouraging transparency, accountability, and action toward sustainable water use (17).
• Net positive water impact - A concept for contributing more clean water back to the environment than is withdrawn, creating a net benefit for ecosystems and communities (18).

For deeper insights into trends, challenges, and solutions for water management across various industries, read our in-depth white paper, which provides a more detailed examination of this subject. 

Conclusion: Partnering for purpose-built climate action

Achieving net zero in the pharmaceutical industry is a complex challenge, one that requires more than just meeting regulatory demands. True progress lies in embedding sustainability into every aspect of operations, from supply chains to cleanroom design and water management. Setting measurable goals and aligning with global initiatives, such as the SBTi and the EU Green Deal, can help companies turn their climate commitments into competitive advantages. With the right expertise and a proactive mindset, companies can go beyond mere compliance to become industry leaders and create meaningful, lasting impact.

References

1.    The European Green Deal - European Commission. July 14, 2021. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en

2.    Reform of the EU pharmaceutical legislation - European Commission. April 15, 2025. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/legal-framework-governing-medicinal-products-human-use-eu/reform-eu-pharmaceutical-legislation_en

3.    Shareholders Are Getting Serious About Sustainability. Harvard Business Review. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://hbr.org/2019/05/the-investor-revolution

4.    Creating competitive advantage through sustainability. Grant Thornton International Ltd. Home. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.grantthornton.global/en/insights/articles/creating-competitive-advantage-through-sustainability/

5.    Target dashboard - Science Based Targets. Science Based Targets Initiative. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://sciencebasedtargets.org/target-dashboard

6.    The Paris Agreement | UNFCCC. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement

7.    Assuncao M. Direct and indirect emissions: Mapping of SCOPES 1, 2 and 3 according to the GHG Protocol. Global Climate Initiatives. April 16, 2022. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://globalclimateinitiatives.com/en/e-brochures-knowledge/direct-and-indirect-emissions/

8.    Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force. May 9, 2022. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/articles/2022/sustainable-markets-initiative-health-systems-task-force.html

9.    Williment C. AstraZeneca & GSK Unite to Cut Healthcare Emissions in China. March 4, 2025. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/astrazeneca-gsk-unite-to-cut-healthcare-emissions-in-china

10.  Hagenaars RH, Heijungs R, De Koning A, Tukker A, Wang R. The greenhouse gas emissions of pharmaceutical consumption and production: an input–output analysis over time and across global supply chains. The Lancet Planetary Health. 2025;9(3):e196-e206. doi:10.1016/S2542-5196(25)00028-2

11.  LEED rating system | U.S. Green Building Council. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.usgbc.org/leed

12.  About BREEAM. BREEAM. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://breeam.com/about

13.  THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://sdgs.un.org/goals

14.  Lian JZ, Siebler F, Steubing BRP, et al. Quantifying the present and future environmental sustainability of cleanrooms. Cell Reports Sustainability. 2024;1(9):100219. doi:10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100219

15.  The future of water availability and use in the EU: A foresight study and policy options to address water scarcity | Think Tank | European Parliament. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_STU(2025)765769

16.  Tong T, Elimelech M. The Global Rise of Zero Liquid Discharge for Wastewater Management: Drivers, Technologies, and Future Directions. Environ Sci Technol. 2016;50(13):6846-6855. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b01000

17.  Water Security - CDP. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://guidance.cdp.net/en/guidance?cid=48&ctype=theme&idtype=ThemeID&incchild=1&microsite=0&otype=Questionnaire&tags=TAG-646%2CTAG-607%2CTAG-599

18.  Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) – Water Resilience Coalition. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://ceowatermandate.org/resilience/net-positive-water-impact-npwi-draft/