A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has reached millions of patients around the world.
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Building on the foundations of our strategic environmental plans, Amgen’s Environmental Sustainability Plan presents a commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2027.
Our goals are underpinned by significant investments into research and development, renewable energy, and workplace training to encourage a culture of sustainability for the foreseeable future. We call this “The Road to Net Zero” and will achieve these goals with strict targets around energy consumption and more efficient practices.
“As a science-based company with a mission to serve patients, we understand the profound impact that climate change is having on human health around the world. Our new commitments expand on our previous achievements and drive Amgen’s continued leadership on environmental sustainability that will benefit our patients, staff, shareholders and communities.”
- Bob Bradway, CEO
The term “Net Zero” refers to a climate-neutral society, whereby organizations like Amgen aim to achieve a balance between the carbon we emit and that which we remove from the atmosphere. Rather than Gross Zero, Net Zero acknowledges the fact that some emissions are unavoidable – for example, from manufacturing – but aims to offset this with carbon neutral initiatives.
Our goals align with the European Union’s long-term climate-neutral plans for 2050, part of the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement. In tandem, we are also following guidance from the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Amgen has invested $200 million (€170 million) globally into environmental sustainability projects, with the latest seven-year plan released on January 11, 2021. The strategies will have three main focuses:
By making better decisions around efficient practices, staff training and research and development, we aim to achieve an ambitious set of carbon neutrality goals by 2027. To date, Amgen Europe has already surpassed ambitious targets and hopes to continue this success with even further investment into green initiatives.
This is Amgen’s third environmental sustainability plan since 2007, and we have seen myriad success stories in our European operations. For example, our Netherlands division has now signed an agreement to become a partner of the Green Deal Sustainable Care initiative.
In our Munich headquarters, we have committed to an 80% electric fleet of vehicles, while our Sustainability Plan for Turkey has noted great success in reducing waste, as well as water and energy consumption.
This follows an overwhelming trend of surpassing our global targets, such as our second generation of environmental targets, set in 2012. We use a stringent performance reporting system to ensure these sustainable values and initiatives permeate every one of our divisions throughout the world.
The latest Sustainability Goals for Amgen are outlined in an infographic, explaining how we will use the principles of innovation, efficiency, and renewable energy to push forward. Specifically, we have set our sights on the following:
Carbon neutrality
Where we are: Amgen has noted a 33% reduction in carbon emissions since 2007.
Where we want to be: 100% carbon neutral by 2027.
Water consumption
Where we are: Amgen has noted a 30% reduction in water consumption since 2007.
Where we want to be: An additional 40% reduction in water use by 2027.
Waste reduction
Where we are: Amgen has noted a 28% reduction in waste since 2007.
Where we want to be: An additional 75% less waste generated by 2027.
This all starts with a sustainable value chain. We never underestimate the power of strong supplier relationships, and we strive to work with suppliers who hold the same values as us. In practice, this involves green initiatives such as:
Between 2008 and 2020, we have invested $50 million (€42.1 million) globally to reach the above mentioned targets. Not only has this impacted our carbon footprint; it has also reduced our operational costs by some $34 million (€28.6 million).
Our 2019 Responsibility Highlights Report outlines the full effects of this investment in sustainability, including a reduction of carbon emissions by 132,000 metric tons. By continuing to report on our operations throughout Europe and beyond, we can move forward and achieve these targets.
To meet our 2027 goals, we need to be held accountable for everything we do, from monitoring energy consumption to promoting best practices with our teams. We follow several guidelines on how best to track and report our performance, for example:
By contributing to journals such as Sustainability Challenges in Peptide Synthesis and Purification: From R&D to Production, we give better visibility to the eco-friendly practices that go into our product design. We also ensure all medicines are regulated by the European Medicines Agency, and comply with standards set by the:
We regularly conduct staff engagement surveys and run round-table discussions to promote a sustainability-first culture, recording our teams’ thoughts on our progress so far.
The progress of our goals is overseen by the Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Council, as well as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs. Our European leaders then report back to the Corporate Responsibility and Compliance Committee of our Board of Directors.
We report all progress in line with the Carbon Disclosure Project. This in turn follows the recommendations from the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures. This is under constant review and we are always looking to improve our sustainable practices.
Find out more about how Amgen Europe reports performance and tracks goals
To find out more about where we are and where we want to be, take a look at our resources below.
View the 2027 Sustainability Goals Infographic