Improving our environmental footprint contributes to mitigating the impacts of climate change on the planet and on human health. It also allows us to increase the efficiency of our operations. As such, it is integral to our business strategy, spanning two of our strategic priorities: embed operational excellence and build trust with society.

Our priorities

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Planet

Achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, as well as carbon, plastic and water neutrality by 2030.

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Patients

Focus on delivering sustainable products to patients.

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People

Transform the sustainability mindset across our organization.

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Policy

Collaborate with industry partners to influence change in our sector.

Our strategy and targets

We aim to drive sustainability through our own operations, as well as those of our suppliers, and we have set ambitious targets to minimize our impacts on climate, waste and water.

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Climate

Reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2040 from a 2022 baseline year¹.
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Water

Become water neutral in our own operations by 2030².
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Waste

Become plastic neutral by 2030³.
Download our 2030 environmental sustainability strategy (PDF 16 MB)

Our 2023 performance⁴

63%

Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in our own operations (Scopes 1 and 2) vs. 2016

50%

Reduction in water consumption in our own operations vs. 2016

66%

Reduction in waste disposal vs. 2016⁵

Environmental sustainability reporting

We take our responsibility to protect the environment seriously. Additional information about our progress against targets and our efforts to reduce our impacts on the environment is published in the Novartis in Society Integrated Report, which covers our business, strategy and performance, including environmental, social and governance topics.

View the full report (9 MB)

Environmental sustainability resources

Pharmaceuticals in the environment
Environmental sustainability criteria for suppliers
  1. In accordance with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard
  2. All Novartis sites to reduce water consumption in all areas and be water neutral in water-stressed regions by not depleting local water reserves. Water-stressed regions are determined using WWF Water Risk Filter
  3. Plastic neutral is achieved when the weight of plastic packaging entering the environment for disposal is approximately the same as weight being recovered for recycling
  4. Based on actuals from January to September, with estimates for October to December 2023
  5. Restated in 2023 to exclude Sandoz