The FINANCIAL — Biogen announced on June 23 that it has achieved carbon neutrality, a milestone reached through a multi-year initiative to reduce its own emissions and by investing in environmental projects to offset the remaining carbon associated with its business, including emissions from suppliers and employee commuting and business travel.
The company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, philanthropy and diversity are highlighted in its annual Corporate Citizenship Report, which Biogen also released on June 23.
“The same intellectual discipline and rigor that drives our science is reflected in our corporate citizenship,” said George A. Scangos, Ph.D., chief executive officer. “This includes improving patient access and health outcomes while strengthening our commitment to environmental sustainability, philanthropy, employee development and community improvement. This year we made significant progress in all of these areas and our ability to reach carbon neutrality demonstrates our continued leadership and commitment to protecting the environment.”
To achieve carbon neutral status, Biogen has reduced carbon emissions through the following:
Investing in sustainable technologies and highly efficient facilities and manufacturing processes including energy-efficient heating and cooling, power through co-generation, and advanced distribution systems to conserve water. Biogen also keeps more than 99 percent of its waste out of landfills by recycling, composting or burning it to create energy.
Working with its top suppliers to manage their environmental impact and encouraging regular reporting of their energy use and carbon emissions in order to set and meet reduction targets. Currently, about 70 percent of the carbon emissions associated with Biogen’s business comes from its suppliers.
Investing in programs that fund wind, solar and low-impact hydroelectric power in the United States, Denmark, and Switzerland. Biogen is also investing in landfill gas projects that take naturally occurring methane gas and use it to produce energy.
In accounting for its carbon emissions, Biogen followed the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard methodology, the most widely used international accounting tool for quantifying and managing carbon emissions. The company also enlisted third-party auditors to validate its carbon emissions calculations and statement of carbon neutrality.
Earlier this month, the company ranked No. 1 on the Newsweek list of “Top Green Companies in the World 2015,” as well as being named the biotechnology industry leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World in October 2014. In January 2015, Biogen was also named the most sustainable company in the world on the Global 100 list, issued each year by the rating organization Corporate Knights.
Biogen’s Corporate Citizenship Report
In addition to its environmental accomplishments, the company has increased its commitment to patient support programs, philanthropic efforts in the communities where the company has a major presence, global science education, and creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. Some of these commitments include:
More than $1 billion in financial assistance to patients in the form of free drug, drug copay assistance, infusion assistance and charitable contributions;
A joint commitment with Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) to donate up to 1 billion international units (IUs) of clotting factor therapy over the next 10 years to humanitarian aid programs in the developing world to help individuals with hemophilia;
Investment of $7 million worldwide by the Biogen Foundation to expand the company’s global commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education;
Creation of the “Underserved Populations Initiative” to help improve MS outcomes among racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States;
Achievement of a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index; and
Creation of a program to sponsor high-potential women leaders to take on roles on corporate boards in the life sciences and other industries.
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