Press release: CPHI Sustainability Report 2024 – a guide to a greener industry

The CPHI Pharma portfolio is pleased to announce that their annual Sustainability Report has been published, with thought leaders outlining a guide to a greener pharmaceutical industry.

The report delves into some of the most impactful initiatives that consortiums and companies in the pharmaceutical industry are enacting. Building on last year's report, collaboration came out as a highly desirable approach for environmental action, by bringing together expertise and resources. This year, we took a closer look at what partnerships have been formed, where companies are working together, such as in harder to reach markets in terms of sustainability, such as China, where five of the biggest pharma companies entered into an agreement to decarbonise operations and increase the use of renewable energy. 

From the industry perspective, covering the feasibility of more sustainable practices, the report includes chapters on discovering legislation and on investments. There is much discussion around the universality of environmental regulation, whilst acknowledging the different challenges that occur as part of bringing this into reality, whether it's politcal or infrastructural. 

Investing in green processes are now becoming integral to pharma companies looking to keep ahead of the curve and secure themselves as future leaders in the pharmaceutical industry. The report emphasizes how it is beneficial for businesses to invest early in more sustainable practices, as this will save more in the long term. 

James Manser, President of Pantheon Strategies, and one of the contributors on this year's report commented:

Recycling and working towards a circular economy was also highlighted in the 2023 report, and in the following report we set out to give some more practical information on the subject. This is with the aim of helping players in the industry understand the areas and ways in which they can improve, communicated through case studies and insights from the contributing thought leaders. 

Thinking about the future of sustainability linked to the pharmaceutical industry means that emerging markets must be discussed. As hubs for new, innovative thinking and potentially acting as blank canvases, these markets have the opportunity to build ESG values into the very fabric of the industry in these regions. 

Finally, the sustainability report gives space for some introversion from CPHI. The events that CPHI put on around the world of course carry their own environmental impact. CPHI has adopted several intiatives to reduce waste and reduce emissions on site at events, and also aims to create an environment where conversations around sustainability can be had, bringing together interested parties to make progress together. 

Many thanks to all of the contributors who added their expertise to the report this year, from the PSCI, BioPhorum, Singota Solutions, Nelipak Healthcare Packaging, Pöppelmann FAMAC Pharma-Medical, Anthesis Consulting Group, Pantheon Strategies, Schneider Electric, and our very own sustainability team at CPHI. 

To read more on all these topics and hear from the experts, download your full report here.