SCHOTT Pharma Advances Climate Action with Updated Science-Based Targets

SCHOTT Pharma, a leader in drug containment solutions, announced that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated the updated climate targets of its parent company, SCHOTT Group. These targets now include a Scope 3 emissions reduction goal, marking a significant step in the company's climate strategy.

The updated framework maintains the existing commitment to cut absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 46.2% by fiscal year 2030, compared to a 2019 baseline. It also introduces a new absolute Scope 3 target: a 27.5% reduction in emissions from the most impactful value chain categories over the same period. These categories include purchased goods and services, fuel- and energy-related activities, and the processing of sold products.

Reinhard Mayer, CFO of SCHOTT Pharma, emphasized the importance of the updated Scope 3 target: "While our commitment to climate action remains unchanged, the updated Scope 3 emissions target enables us to prioritize actions in a more impact-oriented way and focus on the emission reductions that matter most across our value chain."

The shift to absolute Scope 3 reductions moves the focus from supplier commitments to concrete product and process improvements. This allows decarbonization efforts to target the most significant emission sources, including those beyond direct suppliers. With this validation, SCHOTT Group and SCHOTT Pharma have discontinued their previous internal goal of "climate neutral by 2030," which was limited to Scope 1 and 2 and included compensation.

SCHOTT Pharma continues to pursue a broad portfolio of decarbonization initiatives. Since 2021, the company has sourced Energy Attribute Certificates from renewable energies for its global manufacturing network. It also improves energy efficiency and explores new technologies. For example, at its Swiss site, SCHOTT Pharma switched from conventional distillation to an advanced membrane-based system for generating Water for Injection, reducing fuel demand and improving water efficiency from typically 70% to over 90%.

The company collaborates with suppliers and customers to lower emissions throughout the value chain. This includes joint efforts in renewable energy sourcing, material efficiency, circular economy approaches for secondary packaging, and product carbon footprint transparency. For glass-based pharmaceutical packaging, emissions from tubing production are a significant share of the carbon footprint. Innovations within the SCHOTT Group's tubing business, such as new low-emission melting technologies, are crucial for reducing Scope 3.1 emissions.

In supplier selection, SCHOTT Pharma evaluates climate targets and renewable electricity sourcing. Through the industry initiative Energize, the company supports suppliers in their decarbonization efforts by facilitating access to expertise and renewable electricity procurement. It also participates in collaborations like Alliance to Zero to drive decarbonization across the healthcare value chain.

The validated targets align with the Paris Agreement and support limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. By focusing on absolute Scope 3 reductions, SCHOTT Pharma aims to make a measurable impact on emissions across its entire value chain, demonstrating its commitment to science-based climate action.