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Why climate change is a public health issue

As global warming accelerates, the fundamental links between environmental and public health are becoming increasingly visible – and deadly

The World Health Organization has described climate change as the biggest health threat facing humanity1. Twenty-four per cent of all global deaths are linked to environmental factors2 and, among them, climate change-related malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress are predicted to result in 250,000 additional deaths each year between 2030 and 2050. The direct damage costs to health will be an estimated $2bn–$4bn per year by 20303.

Sadly and all too predictably, the countries that have contributed least to the causes of global warming are those least equipped to protect their populations and so will be the worst affected – especially developing nations with weak health infrastructure.

The long-term solutions to climate-related health issues are the same as the proposed responses to climate change itself: transformational actions that will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also help to prevent a catastrophic rise in global temperatures. Healthcare company Sanofi has underscored its commitment to tackling global climate change with a concerted effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across its operations and value chain.

The “social” pillar of ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) is one with which healthcare companies tend to have an affinity; a 2021 report by PricewaterhouseCooper’s Health Research Institute found that 77 per cent of pharma ESG efforts were social, only 12 per cent environmental and 11 per cent governance during the preceding 18 months4. However, Sanofi has been recognised for its measurable climate goals. The French multinational has gained top ranking in the European pharma sector by ESG rating agency Vigeo Eiris, which assesses the risks posed by critical sustainability issues to corporate profits and reputation.

For Sandrine Bouttier-Stref, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Sanofi, the company’s ambitious carbon neutrality and net zero greenhouse gas pledges demonstrate a real sense of urgency. “The ambition to be bolder and to accelerate our climate agenda is absolutely key for us, particularly as a pharmaceutical company,” she says. “We see the impact of climate change on events and weather changes everywhere – we see the situations in India, Pakistan and North Africa. We expect more migrants because of climate concerns. This is an emergency.”

Sanofi is approaching the complex issue of climate change in two ways, according to Quentin Vivant, its Head of Planet Care, CSR. First, through its own environmental sustainability programme, the company is taking robust steps to minimise the environmental impact of its operations and entire value chain. Renewable electricity already powers more than half of Sanofi’s energy needs and the company aims to further reduce its carbon footprint, which it shrank by 25 per cent between 2019 and 2021, by reducing the impact of its products, which are now being designed with the environment in mind. Among other measures, Sanofi plans to remove all pre-formed plastic packaging, known as blister packs, for its vaccines by 2027.

Secondly, Sanofi has begun to analyse how climate change is affecting public health around the world, as Vivant explains. “As a global company, we believe we have a key role in addressing emerging challenges, and trying to find solutions to address how environmental changes impact the healthcare of vulnerable populations,” he says. “For example, we already have some answers in our drug portfolio that will help to mitigate the impact of climate change on specific diseases. We want to go beyond that and look at our future R&D pipeline, or elsewhere where there might be more solutions.”

As a global company rooted in scientific research, it is not surprising that Sanofi should deploy data to drive its climate change initiatives, as well as facts on the ground, as Bouttier-Stref explains: “We agreed that electric vehicles represent, in the long term, the best way to decrease emissions across our fleet. But in countries such as China or Australia, where electricity is produced by coal, it’s not the best option. So looking at local infrastructure is very important in order to make the right decision.” In China, for example, Sanofi is looking at transitioning to renewable energies on its premises, as it has in France, where 100 per cent of its operations have been switched to renewable electricity. The company has pledged to reach 100 per cent renewable electricity supply and a carbon-neutral car fleet by 2030.

Many Sanofi staff around the world are looking at its strategy through the lens of climate change, and sharing best practice. The pharmaceutical giant has sought to harness this grassroots energy among its workers via its multimillion-euro environmental program, which supports employee-led ideas and projects that could further contribute to a healthier environment.

Last year saw projects from Vietnam, Europe and Ireland pass impact and affordability tests, as well as scrutiny from a jury of senior leaders, to receive funding for implementation. In Vietnam, this led to the creation of a new energy supply chain that diverted rice waste from agriculture for use as a renewable energy source on Sanofi’s industrial sites, replacing fossil fuels.

Through such initiatives the company is making a difference beyond internal environmental audits. “Sure, we need to have governments, institutions and policymakers making changes but, as an industrial company, we can make a difference,” says Bouttier-Stref. “We can influence, and we need absolutely to play our part. The Covid crisis and the climate crisis we continue to face demonstrate that we need to be proactive to anticipate our next steps.”

How Sanofi is acting with impact

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