Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA SB
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020, 2021, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Shared Value
- Patient-centricity
- Sustainable Products
- Supply Chain Sustainability
- Community Engagement
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved LEED Platinum certification for new headquarters in Parma, Italy.
- Reduced water withdrawal by 9% compared to 2019.
- Reduced waste production by 6% compared to 2019.
- Increased recycling to more than 50% of total waste (+6% vs. 2019).
- Increased shipments by sea by 20% and decreased shipments by air by 12%.
- Committed €350 million to develop a new carbon minimal inhaler by 2025, aiming for a 90% reduction in carbon footprint.
- Launched inhaler recycling programs in the UK and France.
Social Achievements
- Donated over €10 million in equipment, funds, and resources to hospitals, associations, and local institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Expanded Global Rare Diseases Unit in Boston, recruiting over 150 people.
- Launched a strategic collaboration with Moderna for respiratory disease innovation.
- Implemented a patient-centric strategy, including ethnographic interviews with patients and caregivers.
- Created a Gender Equality Committee to address inequalities.
- Ranked 10th worldwide on the FT annual Diversity Leaders ranking.
- 53% of Chiesi’s employees are women (64% in R&D).
Governance Achievements
- Became a Benefit Corporation in Italy and the US.
- Obtained B Corp certification.
- Implemented a Code of Interdependence with suppliers based on UN SDGs, PSCI, ILO, and B Corp principles.
- Established a structured governance for shared value integration, including an Impact Committee reporting to the Board of Directors.
- Integrated ESG issues into Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) procedures.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Become carbon neutral by 2035.
- Reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from the use of sold products by 90% compared to 2019 by 2035.
- Reduce direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2030.
- Transition to 100% renewable energy at all sites by 2030.
- Reduce GHG emissions per unit of inhaled products sold by over 80% by 2030 (Scope 3).
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic impacting manufacturing, logistics, and community needs.
- Challenges in developing drugs for rare diseases due to limitations and obstacles.
- Industry's lack of readiness to incorporate environmental sustainability principles in product design.
Mitigation Strategies
- Established Chiesi Emergency Management (CEM) teams to protect employees.
- Found alternative transportation means to ensure timely delivery of medicinal products.
- Provided psychological support and increased salaries for workers in facilities.
- Supported patient-focused and patient-led projects to shape a better future for people living with respiratory and rare diseases.
- Developed a Life Cycle Perspective (LCP) tool in R&D to assess environmental impacts of products.
- Joined the B Corp Climate Collective (BCCC) and committed to the UNFCCC “Race to Zero” campaign.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 75 new significant suppliers signed in 2020, including Code of Interdependence clause.
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Interdependence based on UN SDGs, PSCI, ILO, and B Corp principles.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and processes.
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, B Impact Assessment, Benefit Corporation legal framework, UN SDGs
Certifications: B Corp
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- New carbon minimal inhaler
Awards & Recognition
- Green World Award (employee achievement)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Patient Care
- Community Engagement
- Supply Chain Sustainability
- Privacy and Data Security
Environmental Achievements
- Launched #ActionOverWords campaign to emphasize measurable progress in sustainability.
- Unveiled plan to become carbon neutral by 2030 (scopes 1 & 2) and 2035 (scope 3).
- Targets approved by Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).
- Launched Eco-Friendly Products Challenge.
- Joined B Corp Climate Collective (BCCC) and UNFCCC's Race to Zero.
- Progressed Carbon Minimal Inhaler project, entering clinical trials.
Social Achievements
- Increased overall internal workforce by 3%, driven by Chiesi Global Rare Diseases and Chiesi China expansion.
- Launched global Well-being policy with guidelines focusing on work-life harmony, volunteering, well-being education, healthcare, and welfare.
- Rolled out diversity and inclusion awareness program.
- Launched Global Gender Equality Challenge to achieve equal pay and opportunities by 2023.
- #wewearstripes social media campaign raised €100,000 for EURORDIS.
Governance Achievements
- Reviewed and updated Chiesi Code of Conduct.
- Completed International Compliance Assurance Programme (ICAP).
- Integrated risk assessment and strategic planning processes, including ESG risks.
- Improved structure for integrating ESG risks into Risk Management framework.
- Engaged in B Corp recertification process.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Become carbon neutral by 2030 (scopes 1 & 2) and 2035 (scope 3).
- Reduce unexplained pay gap and reach Equal Pay by 2023.
Environmental Challenges
- Global supply chain issues and energy crisis.
- Covid-19 pandemic's impact on healthcare systems and patient access to care.
- Need to reduce carbon footprint from inhalers.
Mitigation Strategies
- Adapted working models to support employees during the pandemic.
- Developed flexible working policy and employee support programs.
- Carbon Minimal Inhaler project to reduce emissions from inhalers.
- Improved structure for integrating ESG risks into Risk Management framework.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 90% of Chiesi spend covered with vendor qualification in 2021
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Interdependence
- Vendor qualification process
- EcoVadis sustainability ratings
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: B Impact Assessment
Certifications: B Corp
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 3
- 5
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 17
Chiesi's activities contribute to these SDGs through its business model, community engagement, and sustainability initiatives.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Carbon Minimal Inhaler
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Gender Equality
- Community Development
- Responsible Business Practices
- Value Chain Sustainability
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved 99% renewable electricity consumption in 2023.
- Reduced energy intensity by 28% from 2019 baseline.
- Reduced Scope 1 CO2e emissions by 12% from 2019 baseline.
- Reduced Scope 2 (market-based) CO2e emissions by 96% from 2019 baseline.
- Reduced intensity of Scope 1 + 2 (market-based) CO2e emissions by 53% from 2019 baseline.
- Introduced new packaging for a key product, replacing polystyrene with FSC-certified paper.
- Achieved LEED Platinum certification for new headquarters and Warsaw office, LEED Gold for other buildings.
- Obtained Ecovadis Platinum medal with a score of 78/100.
Social Achievements
- Achieved a gender pay gap below 1% at the Group level.
- Implemented the “Mentors for Her Growth Program”, training 14 mentors.
- Created a Group Parenthood Policy.
- Launched a global information platform for parents of premature neonates.
- Successfully launched or sustained local chapters of the International Respiratory Coalition in 12 countries.
- Conducted three carbon management workshops for over 50 suppliers.
- Sponsored Ecovadis Academy for 104 suppliers.
Governance Achievements
- Onboarded Shared Value & Sustainability Business Partners across all affiliates.
- Created the SV&S Legal & Compliance role.
- Launched an ESG preparedness program for the Group Executive Leadership Team.
- Initiated a similar program for the Board of Directors.
- Achieved ISO 37001:2016 certification (in 2024).
Climate Goals & Targets
- Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by 90% by 2035.
- Achieve Net Zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2035.
- Achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2025.
- Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 90% by 2030.
- Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions from use of sold products by 80% per unit by 2030.
- Complete clinical development for Carbon Minimal pMDI portfolio by 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions due to extreme weather events (particularly in Pakistan, China, Mexico, Spain, USA, and Italy).
- Emerging regulations on F-gases and PFAS substances.
- Potential introduction of carbon tax in various countries.
- Increasing competition from products with reduced climate impact.
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed a Climate Transition Plan.
- Invested €350 million in the Carbon Minimal Inhaler project.
- Implemented a comprehensive risk assessment of climate-related physical risks across 93 operational sites.
- Strengthened requirements for EcoVadis or equivalent ESG rating tools in partner selection.
- Actively supporting sector-wide initiatives like Energize to promote renewable energy in the supply chain.
- Developed a Code of Interdependence to engage suppliers in sustainability.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 118 improvement plans launched for suppliers (Ecovadis)
Responsible Procurement
- EcoVadis assessments
- Code of Interdependence
- Energize program
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
- Water scarcity
- Rising temperatures
Transition Risks
- Changes in regulations related to F-gases and PFAS substances
- Carbon pricing mechanisms
- Changes in customer preferences
Opportunities
- Shifting towards renewable energy sources
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Società Benefit (Italian Law 208/2015), Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), B Impact Assessment (BIA), SDG Action Manager, GRI Standards, World Economic Forum’s ‘Measuring Stakeholder Capitalism’ Framework, Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
Certifications: B Corp, LEED Platinum (Headquarters, Warsaw office), LEED Gold (other buildings), ISO 14064
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
Chiesi uses the SDG Action Manager to track progress towards achieving the SDGs.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Carbon Minimal Inhalers
Awards & Recognition
- Ecovadis Platinum medal