Samsung Biologics Proposes Carbon Emission Reduction Measures Under the Banner of 'Sustainable CDMO'

Samsung Biologics is continuing its active ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management by presenting concrete implementation plans to reduce carbon emissions in collaboration with global big pharma companies to address the climate crisis.

Samsung Biologics promotional booth set up at the BIO International Convention 2023 (BIO USA) held last month in Boston, USA. Samsung Biologics explained that all materials used in the booth were made from eco-friendly materials and digital brochures were provided, embodying the vision and commitment to practice a 'sustainable CDMO.'
[Photo by Lee Chunhee]

On the 20th (local time), seven global pharmaceutical and bio companies belonging to the Health Systems Task Force (TF) within the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), including Samsung Biologics, issued an Open Letter to suppliers. The letter contains a message urging suppliers to actively participate in responding to climate change and presents eight key implementation measures to reduce carbon emissions in the supply chain: ▲Calculating and disclosing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2025 ▲Declaring short-term targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) 1.5℃ carbon reduction goal by 2025 ▲Setting targets for waste and energy reduction and reuse of materials and energy used in production by 2025 ▲Setting and declaring a goal to switch at least 80% of electricity to renewable energy by 2030 ▲Reviewing eco-friendly heat sources by 2030 ▲Declaring SBTi alignment for transportation suppliers by 2025 and establishing eco-friendly transportation plans for key products by 2030 ▲Declaring the establishment of internal supplier standards ▲Setting water use efficiency improvement targets and adopting water standard management by 2025.

SMI is a global climate change response initiative launched under the leadership of King Charles III of the United Kingdom (then Prince of Wales) following the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2020. It aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future by building a private global cooperation network. Among them, the Health Systems TF, formed in 2021, includes seven global pharmaceutical and bio companies such as AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Sanofi, and Samsung Biologics. Notably, Samsung Biologics is the only global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) among them and serves as the chair of the supply chain within the TF.

They have been working to reduce carbon emissions to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the target set by the United Nations and other international organizations. In November last year, the seven participating companies agreed on joint actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including achieving net zero in the supply chain, reducing greenhouse gases throughout patient care, and actively promoting clinical trials using digital health solutions.

Open Letter to Suppliers Requesting Active Participation in Climate Change Response by the Health System Task Force (TF) within the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI)
[Image Source=SMI]

John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, said on LinkedIn regarding the Open Letter, "This is an important milestone to encourage and support suppliers to take significant measures to reduce carbon emissions." He added, "Since about half of the healthcare sector's carbon emissions occur in the supply chain, we are setting climate and sustainability goals and making efforts beyond that to address emissions across the entire value chain." He continued, "There is a clear path to achieving this through the shared efforts and resource investments of Samsung Biologics and global healthcare leaders," and stated, "Samsung Biologics, as a CDMO partner and supplier, understands how important it is to fulfill our role for future generations, and this is how we can make progress."

Meanwhile, Samsung Biologics is also leading carbon emission reduction efforts under the slogan of being a 'Sustainable CDMO Partner.' Especially as global clients are advancing initiatives like RE100, and since the carbon emissions of CDMO companies are included in 'Scope 3,' Samsung Biologics is striving to achieve RE100 through various efforts. Recently, as global big pharma companies consider sustainability as a very important factor in the CDMO selection process to reduce carbon emissions, Samsung Biologics plans to build an image as a 'trusted partner' and continuously expand its order volume based on this trust.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.