SCHOTT Pharma, a leading provider of drug containment solutions and delivery systems, has announced that the updated climate targets of its parent company, SCHOTT Group, have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This validation marks a significant step in the company's ongoing commitment to science-based climate action, with a renewed focus on reducing emissions across its entire value chain.
The updated targets, which include the business scope of SCHOTT Pharma, maintain the previously validated goal of reducing absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 46.2% by fiscal year 2030, compared to a 2019 baseline. However, the new framework introduces an absolute Scope 3 emissions target, committing to a 27.5% reduction in GHG emissions from the value chain categories with the greatest climate impact over the same period. These categories include purchased goods and services (Scope 3.1), fuel- and energy-related activities (Scope 3.3), and the processing of sold products (Scope 3.10).
According to Reinhard Mayer, CFO of SCHOTT Pharma, "While our commitment to climate action remains unchanged, the updated Scope 3 emissions target enables us to prioritize actions in a more impact-oriented way and focus on the emission reductions that matter most across our value chain." This shift in strategy emphasizes absolute emission reductions rather than supplier commitments, directing decarbonization efforts toward the most relevant sources of emissions, including those beyond direct suppliers.
The validation by SBTi confirms that the targets are aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, supporting efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. As part of this transition, SCHOTT Group and SCHOTT Pharma have discontinued their previous internal goal of "climate neutral by 2030," which was limited to Scope 1 and 2 emissions and relied on compensation measures. The new science-based targets are designed to be more impactful and transparent.
SCHOTT Pharma has been actively pursuing decarbonization initiatives across its global operations. Since 2021, the company has sourced Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) from renewable energies for its manufacturing network. Additionally, it has implemented energy efficiency improvements and innovative technologies. For instance, at its site in Switzerland, SCHOTT Pharma switched from conventional distillation to an advanced membrane-based system for generating Water for Injection (WFI). This new technology eliminates the high fuel demand associated with distillation, relying primarily on electricity and heat recovery, while improving water efficiency from 70% to over 90% without compromising pharmaceutical quality.
The company also collaborates with suppliers and customers to reduce emissions throughout the value chain. This includes efforts in renewable energy sourcing, material efficiency, circular economy approaches for secondary packaging, and product carbon footprint transparency. Innovations in the SCHOTT Group's tubing business, such as new low-emission melting technologies, are crucial for reducing Scope 3.1 emissions associated with pharmaceutical glass packaging.
In sourcing decisions, SCHOTT Pharma evaluates suppliers' climate targets and renewable electricity sourcing. Through initiatives like Energize and collaborations such as Alliance to Zero, the company supports suppliers in their decarbonization efforts and helps advance sustainability across the healthcare value chain.
This development is important because it underscores the pharmaceutical industry's growing commitment to addressing climate change. By setting science-based targets that include Scope 3 emissions, SCHOTT Pharma and its parent company are taking a leadership role in reducing the environmental impact of drug delivery systems. The updated targets will likely influence other companies in the sector to adopt more comprehensive climate strategies, ultimately contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.
