Sustainability, partnerships, alliances and recognition

In 2022, we were recognised among the top-three global pharmaceutical companies in the Access to Medicine Index (AtMI), a biennial report by the Access to Medicine Foundation evaluating the contributions of 20 pharmaceutical organisations to develop and make certain medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics more accessible for people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This is our highest AtMI ranking to date, reflecting our commitment to driving equitable access to sustainable, innovative healthcare for everyone.

In 2023, we were ranked as double-A- for Climate Change and Water Security, and BBB for Forests from the global environmental impact non-profit CDP. We are recognised for the actions we are taking to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks, engage our supply chain, and deliver on water stewardship.

In April 2023, we were listed as the top pharmaceutical company in the third edition of the Financial Times’ ‘Europe’s Climate Leaders’ list and ranked 32^nd out of the 500 companies included overall. The Climate Leaders list is compiled by the Financial Times in partnership with Statista and provides a ranking of companies across Europe that considers reductions in greenhouse gas emissions intensity between 2016 and 2021 and transparency around scope 3 emissions.

In October 2023, we were listed as one of the World's Top Companies for Women by Forbes and ranked 61st out of the 400 top companies included overall. The list was compiled by Forbes in partnership with Statista. To create the list, approximately 70,000 women for multinational corporations across 37 countries were surveyed.

In 2023, we achieved AA in the MSCI ESG Ratings assessment for the fifth year year running, described as a leader among 270 companies in the pharmaceuticals industry.

We were an early supporter of the United Nations-backed Race To Zero, a global campaign bringing together businesses, cities, investors and wider stakeholders to deliver a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

We were the first pharmaceutical company to sign up to all three of the following Climate Group initiatives: by the end of 2025 we will reduce absolute energy use and double energy productivity compared with 2015 (EP100); we will use 100% renewable energy for electricity (RE100) and heat; and we will maximise our transition to EVs in our road fleet (EV100).

Our emission reduction targets have been verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and we were one of the first seven companies worldwide to have our net zero, science-based Scope 1-3 targets verified under their new Net-Zero Corporate Standard.

In 2023, we were again included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World and Europe indices. DJSI is the longest standing, global sustainability benchmark system.

In the Global Child Forum’s State of Children’s Rights & Business Benchmark Report 2023, we were scored as an Achiever, ranking 3rd overall in the healthcare sector (2021: 5th). In collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, the Global Child Forum assesses how the world’s most influential companies are prioritising children’s rights in their operations, using publicly available information.

We are an early adopter of the recommendations from the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). This means we will disclose our dependencies, risks and opportunities related to nature from 2025.

Our CEO Pascal Soriot has been named by TIME100 Climate as one of the world’s most influential leaders driving climate action in business. The private sector has a critical role to play in responding to the climate crisis and under Pascal’s leadership, we are accelerating the delivery of net zero, resilient and equitable healthcare, through collaboration and innovation.

We are a member of the UHC2030, dedicated to accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage through strengthening health systems.