Scope 3: A Stone Left Unturned The burden of carbon emissions from the healthcare sector is well documented, with the industry responsible for around 5% of global emissions. Half of these emissions can be attributed to the US, EU, China and the UK. However, the sector has laid out ambitions to move towards a greener future, with healthcare services around the world following the lead of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the first organisation to formally set targets for net zero by 2045.
For the pharmaceutical sector, this was also a call to action, since the NHS’ 80,000 suppliers must also be able to demonstrate they are on track to achieving net zero by 2045, or risk losing NHS business. The pharmaceutical industry is already making good progress in tackling scope 1 and scope 2 emissions. However, scope 3 emissions – caused by assets not directly owned or controlled by the reporting company – are proving trickier to tackle. With these emissions often comprising as much as 70% of a company’s total carbon footprint,5 future targets are likely to see greater attention on scope 3 as companies seek to strengthen sustainability across all aspects of their businesses.
Owen Mumford’s Holistic Approach
As a drug delivery device manufacturer working in partnership with pharmaceutical companies, Owen Mumford Pharmaceutical Services (OMPS) is part of a complex network of suppliers that must be able to demonstrate how they are strengthening their sustainability credentials. Of course, reducing overall emissions entails a multifaceted approach, looking at facilities management and manufacturing processes as well as product composition and transport.
There is no escaping that Owen Mumford Pharmaceutical Services manufactures single-use medical devices (though there is a renewable auto-injector on the way), but this is why it is critical to take a holistic approach that assesses every area where there is potential to reduce impact. There are various initiatives in place at Owen Mumford to help the business maintain momentum and achieve its environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives, including B Corp certification, emissions targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and a focus on selected Sustainable Development Goals. These initiatives are all discussed in more detail in the inaugural issue of Pharma Nature Positive.
