Client
Expertise
Decarbonisation strategy
Impact
Making sustainable suppliers stand out in the medicines value chain.
CHALLENGE
How can suppliers in the pharmaceutical industry drive change?
There is growing tension between human health and the environment. As temperatures rise, air pollution spikes, leading to millions of people experiencing asthma flares and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and turning to inhalers for relief. Created using propellants that are a thousand times more potent than CO2, pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) make up 3% of emissions in the NHS alone. These propellants have made pMDIs, one of the most emissions-intensive medicines, and one in dire need of innovation to ensure sustainability for the future.
The shift to sustainable inhalers requires first movers. At the forefront of this shift is Bespak®. The specialist manufacturer and commercial supplier of inhalation devices, pMDIs and metering valves has the focus to lead the transition to propellants with a low global warming potential (GWP). This commitment to sustainability is embedded throughout Bespak's business strategy, operations and R&D innovations, from product research and design to supplier engagement, partnerships and distribution.
To build on its existing credibility and bring all sustainability initiatives together, Bespak wanted to lay out a clear path to reduce emissions in line with Net Zero.
SOLUTION
Defining the operational path for sustainable inhaler supply
Businesses increasingly put their trust in manufacturers like Bespak to help lower their own carbon impact. Bespak's Net Zero roadmap was to be built on credible starting and end points featuring a verified baseline footprint and science-based targets.
We carried out a readiness assessment of Bespak’s Scope 3 carbon footprint, which had been calculated via a carbon accounting software platform, to check its methodology and accuracy.
This meant we could help Bespak identify and resolve any data gaps and uncertainties ahead of assurance and target setting, to ensure a seamless validation process..
Bespak’s Scope 1, 2 and 3 baseline emissions achieved verification by the Carbon Trust Assurance, our independent assurance team.
The verification confirms the carbon footprints are in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standards. Bespak uses these verified carbon footprints to measure future progress.
The verified carbon footprints were used to model and present different reduction pathways to Bespak's senior decision-makers.
We assessed Bespak’s current and projected emissions trajectory in the context of the company’s anticipated business growth, advising the team on which reduction pathways would be most appropriate and feasible.
We created a model that Bespak can adopt to predict how decarbonisation decisions, such as using recycled materials in the production process, will help the company progress against its targets.
Building on the levers Bespak had already identified, this model highlighted the scale and speed at which solutions will need to be implemented to successfully transition to a Net Zero future.
Near-term targets for 2033 and a Net Zero by 2050 target were developed, and we supported Bespak’s target submission to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Once validated, we helped Bespak communicate its science-based targets and carbon footprints externally, ensuring claims are transparent and grounded in facts.
Everything was brought together into a Net Zero roadmap: the science-based targets, the agreed-upon reduction pathway for the company, any blockers within the industry to consider and the gap-to-target that will need to be closed.
The roadmap visualises the next steps and breaks down the targets into key milestones for the short, medium and long term.
IMPACT
Clearing the air for sustainable change
With a verified footprint and science-based targets providing a strong foundation, and a dedicated Net Zero roadmap to guide the way, Bespak has a clear plan for turning its vision of protecting people and planet into results.
Bespak is well positioned to drive the systemic industry-wide change towards more sustainable inhalers as customers accelerate the adoption of new propellants. This strategy has helped to:
Define a clear narrative around Bespak's sustainability journey and what it wants to achieve. By setting out its reduction targets and decarbonisation steps for the future, Bespak reassures stakeholders of its short-term and long-term outlook.
Build on its reputation as a key player and supplier in the inhalation industry. With SBTi validated reduction targets and verified carbon footprints, Bespak can back its sustainability credentials – a growing requirement in tenders.
Inspire senior leaders to champion ambition. The Net Zero roadmap visualises what initiatives need to be implemented and the key actions that will ensure they are not delayed.
Break internal silos. Rather than seeing the impact of existing initiatives from its R&D, procurement, facilities and sustainability teams separately, Bespak is able to understand their overall impact, how they need to scale sustainable initiatives, and the remaining implementation gap.
Signal the demand for low GWP propellants across the medicines supply chain, a driver for industry-wide change.
We are well positioned to drive change across the inhalation industry. Partnering with the Carbon Trust brings rigour to our Net Zero transition and shows our customers, partners, and employees that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is central to how we operate, and part of our strategy.
