OPEN LETTER ON SUPPLIER TARGETS FROM MEMBERS OF THE
SUSTAINABLE MARKETS INITIATIVE HEALTH SYSTEMS TASK FORCE
Dear Supplier,
The climate crisis is one of the most urgent risks to global health. The science is clear: there is a rise in non-
communicable and infectious diseases due to climate change, with seven million people dying prematurely each
year from air pollution alone. At the same time, the healthcare sector contributes approximately 5% of global
greenhouse gas emissions, with around half of this footprint coming from healthcare supply chains.
Joint action at scale is needed to move the needle. Driven by this urgency, we, as the global leaders of seven
global biopharmaceutical companies, have united with the World Health Organization (WHO) and key public
sector partners through the Sustainable Markets Initiative, to accelerate the transition to net zero, patient-centric
health systems. As a partner to the WHO-led Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH),
we also aim to share our knowledge, experience and positive contribution with ATACH partners and over 70
countries worldwide.
Healthcare supply chains must become greener, more efficient and circular. We must work across the value chain
to decarbonise operations and do all we can to move away from fossil-fuelled heat and power. Having launched
a set of core commitments at COP27, we are scaling our impact above and beyond the actions we are taking within
our own organisations. As part of this, we have set joint, minimum climate and sustainability targets for suppliers
which aim to address emissions across the value chain and reduce the complexity of multiple asks.
These joint, minimum supplier targets are as follows 1:
● Assess and disclose Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions2 by 2025
● By 2025, commit to set near-term targets aligned with the 1.5 degree pathway (SBTi)
● By 2025, set targets to reduce waste (including solvents) and energy and reuse materials in manufacturing
● Commit to switch to at least 80% renewable power3 by 2030 and make commitment public
● By 2030, explore options to source green heat
● Transport suppliers to make SBTi-aligned commitments by 2025 and include green transportation solutions
in their core offering by 2030
● Commit to set standards for own suppliers
● Set targets to increase water efficiency and commit to adopt water stewardship standards
As a valued partner, we urge you to sign up to these targets as a minimum and share them onwards across your
network. Shifting to net zero, climate resilient health systems cannot be achieved in siloes. We must collaborate,
across the sector and across borders, to secure a healthier tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen Belén Garijo Paul Hudson John Rim
CEO, Novo Nordisk CEO, Merck CEO, Sanofi CEO, Samsung Biologics
Severin Schwan Pascal Soriot Emma Walmsley
Chairman, Roche CEO, AstraZeneca CEO, GSK
1. These supplier targets apply only to suppliers of the healthcare business of each private sector member; In cases where our organisations have more stringent
requirements than those laid out here, the more stringent requirement takes precedence; 2. All of scope 1 & 2, and 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 & 3.4; 3. Excluding nuclear, and for
biofuels, ensuring that feedstock meets sustainability criteria (including having low LULUCF emissions). Target may vary by market based on local market constraints
Note: This letter is issued in compliance with relevant anti-trust and competition law considerations
