Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Patients
- Science
- Employees
- Communities
- Planet
- Governance and Integrity
Environmental Achievements
- Initiated a process to collect baseline data on energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental impacts.
- Installed an energy-efficient HVAC system designed to save 126,000 KWH per year and 2.65M lbs. of steam per year at headquarters.
- Upgraded lighting to intelligent LED lights at headquarters, increasing efficiency by up to 80%.
- Installed an HVAC energy recovery system at headquarters to reduce heating and cooling demands.
- Constructed Norton, MA facility with leading-edge passive building and mechanical insulation systems to maximize energy efficiency.
- Norton facility boiler plant uses state-of-the-art combustion technologies and heat recovery systems to minimize emissions.
- Reduced CO2 emissions by 100 metric tons in France and Germany operations by switching to group deliveries and eliminating insulated shippers.
- Recycled 440 gallons of waste ethanol from Alewife, MA site.
Social Achievements
- Launched a new strategic framework to formalize and structure Alnylam’s Corporate Responsibility activities.
- Appointed the first Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Officer.
- Senior leaders participated in unconscious-bias training and racial awareness initiatives.
- Developed strategies and approaches to increase the inclusion of BIPOC groups in clinical trials.
- Hosted the first annual Global Rare Disease Patient Advocacy Collaborative Summit.
- Provided support for commercially insured patients to afford medicine through the Commercial Copay Program.
- Facilitated home-based infusions for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Expanded genetic testing offerings to Canada and Brazil.
- Released the first annual U.S. Rare Disease Trend Report.
- Launched a new series of virtual programs with Black Health Matters (BHM) to increase disease awareness in the Black community.
- Donated $250,000 to the Boston Resiliency Fund to provide food for children and seniors, technology to aid remote learning for students, and assistance to first responders and healthcare workers.
- Donated $25,000 to the Life Sciences Cares COVID-19 Response Fund.
- Donated protective equipment (PPE) and lab supplies to MassBio’s supply hub and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s (BIO) emergency efforts.
- Invested $250,000 in renovations to Henri A. Termeer Square.
- Raised and donated a total of $275,000 from the “Power of Silencing” silent auction.
- Provided a total of $520,000 to 14 patient advocacy groups across the globe through Advocacy for Impact grants.
- Made a $50,000 donation to Science from Scientists to inspire the next generation to solve real-world problems through STEM literacy.
Governance Achievements
- Formalized a Patient-Focus Working Group.
- Established an internal audit function reporting to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
- Continued delivery of interactive Unconscious Bias training and introduced Understanding Race & Ethnicity in the Workplace training.
- Developed a Global Procurement Policy to ensure ethical and responsible purchasing.
- Signed the MassBio CEO Pledge for a More Equitable and Inclusive Life Sciences Industry.
- Signed the U.S. New Commitment to Patients and the European Biotech Social Pact.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Establish baseline metrics on energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions across Alnylam’s operations globally (beginning in 2022).
- Establish baseline metrics on solid waste across Alnylam’s operations globally.
- Expand conversations with landlords of leased offices on sustainability.
- Expand GoGreen Commercial Fleet management practices.
- Reduce personal use plastics in global offices.
- Increase by 20% the overall number of Black and Latinx individuals that make up our U.S. employee base at all levels.
- Integrate Unconscious Bias training for people managers into the company’s core training curriculum.
- Roll out Understanding Race & Ethnicity in the Workplace trainings across all levels globally.
- Launch the Athena Project female leadership accelerator program.
- Launch Alnylam health equity-focused signature social impact program.
- Relaunch our annual Community Service Day remotely and in-person.
- Launch year three of Advocacy for Impact Grants Program.
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on employees, patients, and operations.
- Addressing racial and social injustice.
- Ensuring access and affordability of medicines.
- Increasing representation of BIPOC groups in the workforce and clinical trials.
- Understanding and mitigating Alnylam’s environmental footprint.
- Managing the complexities of global operations and supply chains.
Mitigation Strategies
- Implemented a comprehensive COVID-19 response strategy, including remote work options, enhanced benefits, and testing programs.
- Launched diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including unconscious bias training and the appointment of a DE&I officer.
- Developed a Patient Access Philosophy and implemented programs to improve access and affordability.
- Developed strategies to increase participation of minority populations in clinical trials.
- Initiated data collection on environmental impacts and developed plans to establish tracking and measurement tools.
- Built a network of trusted distribution partners to extend access to medicines in countries without Alnylam operations.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier compliance with ethics, safety, quality, anti-corruption, information security, and non-disclosure policies.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Patients
- Science
- Employees
- Communities
- Planet
- Governance and Integrity
Environmental Achievements
- Completed LED lighting upgrade at Alewife manufacturing facility, resulting in reduced maintenance and energy savings.
- Improved reliability and efficiency of the central cooling system at the Norton manufacturing site through 'free cooling'.
Social Achievements
- Launched Alnylam Challengers with a $1 million investment in Acumen America to address health inequalities.
- Expanded family leave options to include general caregiving leave of up to 12 weeks.
- Achieved 20% year-over-year increase in Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino individuals in the U.S. employee base.
Governance Achievements
- Formalized a CR Steering Committee structure with Working Groups for each focus area.
- Completed a materiality assessment to understand stakeholder and business priorities.
- Developed a Supplier Code of Conduct and a Supplier Diversity program (to be fully implemented in 2022).
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Model GHG and operational waste reduction targets.
- Develop a roadmap to approve, implement, and communicate our emissions reduction strategy.
- Complete 2021 Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG and solid/hazardous waste inventory.
- Complete baseline data collection and analysis of water use.
- Conduct third-party verification of baseline and 2021 data.
Environmental Challenges
- Understanding and mitigating Alnylam's growing global environmental footprint.
- Addressing health inequities and social determinants of health.
- Increasing diversity in clinical trials.
Mitigation Strategies
- Launched a comprehensive process to understand, quantify, and mitigate GHG emissions and waste management.
- Partnered with Acumen America to address health inequalities.
- Assembled a team to increase diversity in trial design and execution, employing tools like e-consent and virtual visits.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Annual quality audit for all suppliers
Responsible Procurement
- Global Procurement Policy
- Supplier Code of Conduct (to be fully implemented in 2022)
- Supplier Diversity program (to be fully implemented in 2022)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option, SASB Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals Standard
Awards & Recognition
- Boston Globe’s “Top Places to Work” (2021)
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Patients
- Science
- Employees
- Communities
- Planet
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Took significant steps to quantify and mitigate our global environmental footprint; worked to better understand our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile, use of water, and waste management process
- Completed a lighting upgrade in Zug, Switzerland office, resulting in a 30-40% reduction in energy use
- Fully transitioned to EcoTek® biodegradable gloves across laboratories, manufacturing and operations
Social Achievements
- Launched fifth product within four years and demonstrated positive results in clinical trials
- Evolved approach to outreach and inclusion within clinical trials, setting diversity goals and training clinical operations team in cultural competency
- Met all six comprehensive goals outlined in MassBio’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) public pledge; launched a formal supplier diversity program, resulting in more than $24 million spend with diverse suppliers
- Expanded Alnylam Challengers global Community Impact Initiative to European country teams, focusing on refugee populations
- Named one of Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies in the U.S., a Gold Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Award winner, and named to the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the 3rd year in a row
- Named to The Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work for the 8th year in a row, and recognized by Science Magazine as Top Employer for 4th year in a row; named one of Fortune Magazine’s Best Workplaces for Women for the first time
Governance Achievements
- Appointed a Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer; launched local Compliance Committees across countries and regions, and appointed over 40 Global Compliance Champions
- Launched inaugural Integrity Week
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Increase the overall number of Black or African American and Hispanic/Latino individuals in our U.S. employee base by 20% YOY
- Grow female representation within Senior Leadership Team (SLT) by 20% relative to 2022
- Ensure at least 50% of Alnylam’s interns are hired through external partner programs Posse or Project Onramp
- Obtain >90% favorable rating in key DE&I questions within company culture survey
- Expand components of the Alnylam Challengers social impact program globally
- Increase by 10% YOY participation of Alnylam employees participating in Global Week of Service
- Expand the number and variety of volunteer and giving opportunities through Benevity
- Develop strategic plan for a corporate match program for employee charitable donations
Environmental Challenges
- Increase in injury rate to 1.30 in 2022, largely due to work-related COVID-19 cases resulting from return to pre-pandemic travel and work initiatives
Mitigation Strategies
- Continued monitoring and mitigation of safety risks across the company; conducted audits and gap analyses of key sites; launched first workers council in France; launched a new focus on occupational health in international regions
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Annual quality audits for all suppliers
Responsible Procurement
- Global Procurement Policy
- Supplier Code of Conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core Option, SASB Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals Standard
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies
- Gold Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Award
- Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
- The Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work
- Science Magazine Top Employer
- Fortune Magazine’s Best Workplaces for Women
- Science Club for Girls Catalyst Award
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Patients
- Science
- Employees
- Communities
- Planet
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Sourcing renewable energy for Norton and Alewife facilities, resulting in zero Scope 2 market-based GHG emissions at both sites.
- 7% reduction in water consumption at Norton facility in 2023.
- 27% year-over-year savings in electricity at Zug office due to LED lighting.
Social Achievements
- Grew female representation within Senior Leadership Team (SLT) from 32% in 2022 to 37% in 2023.
- Grew hiring of women across the organization from 55% in 2022 to 60% in 2023.
- 90% of Alnylam employees believe the company supports a diverse workplace.
- Over 1,000 employees donated more than 3,000 hours across 48 volunteer projects during Global Community Service Week (20% increase in hours over 2022).
- Launched three corporate matching initiatives for humanitarian giving, engaging more than 50% of Alnylam employees in volunteerism in 2023.
Governance Achievements
- Achieved 100% completion on Code of Business Conduct and Ethics training for new employees.
- Increased diverse supplier spend by 5%.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Achieve Alnylam P5x25 strategy goals (Patients: Over 0.5 million on Alnylam RNAi medicines globally; Products: 6+ marketed products in rare and prevalent diseases; Pipeline: Over 20 clinical programs, with 10+ in late stages and 4+ INDs per year; Performance: ≥40% revenue CAGR through YE 2025; Profitability: Achieve sustainable non-GAAP profitability within the period).
- Continue Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions calculation and work toward determining baseline year.
- Increase diverse supplier spend 5% in 2024.
Environmental Challenges
- Decreased understanding of Alnylam's vision for the future among employees (85% favorable responses in 2023 vs. 99% in 2014).
- Data gaps in water usage at some locations.
Mitigation Strategies
- Focus on three key areas for continued improvement in 2024: clarity, community, and career.
- Consistent estimation methodologies for water discharge data where gaps exist.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Annual quality audits for all suppliers.
Responsible Procurement
- Global Procurement Policy
- Third Party Code of Conduct
- Supplier Diversity Program
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Renewable energy sourcing, energy efficiency improvements.
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option, SASB Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals Standard, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Cameron-Cole (Limited Assurance for Scope 1 and 2 GHG Inventory)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Alnylam's work aligns with numerous UN SDGs, particularly those related to health, education, economic growth, and climate change.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- #1 on Boston Globe’s “Top Places to Work” (3 consecutive years)
- HumanKind 100 Company (2 years in a row)
- Boston Business Journal’s Corporate Citizenship Community Collaboration Award (2023)
- Newsweek Most Responsible Companies (2 years in a row)
- Communique Award for Leadership Action on Workforce Diversity & Inclusion (2023)