We recognise climate change as one of the largest global risks and are committed to addressing it as a matter of urgency. We are committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045 and have set near- and long-term targets validated by SBTi.
At Roche, we have long recognised the urgency of climate change and the impact it has on global health outcomes. Extreme weather events undermine access to healthcare, and rising temperatures and pollution increase diseases and mortality – all disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.
The pharmaceutical industry is one source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Generating 4-5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the pharmaceutical industry plays an important role in both decarbonisation and the continued improvement of patient and population health.
We are committed to addressing climate change as a matter of urgency – working with peers and stakeholders to amplify our actions.
Here, we set out our approach to climate action. Read more in Roche’s
Since the early 2000s Roche has been working towards a low-carbon future and doing our part to mitigate climate change remains a priority for us. Climate action is fully embedded in our business and encompasses the entire value chain from research and development to manufacturing and distribution.
As with all our work, our approach to decarbonisation is based on science. It sets out a defined path for reducing emissions to meet the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and keep the average global temperature increase below 1.5°C. In defining our strategy, we have set stretching targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Our ambition is to systematically reduce our emissions and reach net zero across both our own operations and wider value chain by 2045.
Read more about our environmental goals
Reaching our ambitious yet realistic goals will take a collective effort. Everyone at Roche has a role to play – as do our partners up- and downstream.
We are following a clear strategy, set out in our
Each of our sites is developing a roadmap describing how it will cut energy use, while making the switch to renewable energy sources. This includes installing technology innovations including geothermal storage and heat pumps to be CO₂-free. Already, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, is one of the largest corporate generators of solar energy in the San Francisco Bay Area, serving approximately one-quarter of its power needs from on-site photovoltaic panels.
For several years, Roche has been successfully phasing out halogenated hydrocarbons containing chlorine, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), as they are strong greenhouse gases that also damage the ozone layer. Making up less than 1% of our footprint, halogenated hydrocarbons are mainly used in our refrigeration and fire suppression systems.
We are also systematically reducing other atmospheric contaminants. This includes filtering waste air to remove nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) and using incineration, condensation and freezing processes to reduce the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Any energy generated during combustion goes to generate steam for heating.
The bulk of our emissions comes from the products and services we buy and sell. With this in mind, collaboration across our value chain is critical to achieving net zero. We continue to embed sustainability into our procurement processes and ongoing supplier conversations. We set clear expectations for our suppliers to measure and reduce their emissions. Read more about
Our business – and the wider pharmaceutical industry – was built and thrives on collaboration, innovation and long-term thinking. As members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) Health Systems Task Force and the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI), we are working with peers to bring about wider-scale change.
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