Making the case for sustainability

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Jun 21, 2024

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Making the case for sustainability

Making the case for sustainability [SQR Pharmaceuticals Int.] [Pharmaceuticals] [Medicine] [16/05/2024 ] Making the case for sustainability Introduction Dear Jackie, I was recently requested to provide you proper knowledge about the sustainability challenges that the pharmaceutical sector is now experiencing, along with our strategies for addressing them. In my capacity as Head of Sustainability and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) at SQR Pharmaceuticals International, Ontario, I will provide you with the information you need to understand these concerns and the steps being taken to address them. This paper's three primary subjects are carbon emissions, waste management, and water management. Understanding these challenges is essential to preserving the environment over the long run, bolstering our corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and complying with legal requirements. In the pharmaceutical industry, corporate social responsibility and sustainability are gaining importance. They support our efforts to lessen our adverse effects on the environment, improve our operational efficiency, and improve our reputation with stakeholders. This study aims to present an overview of the specific challenges we face in these domains, along with data that illustrates their extent and an explanation of the steps we are taking to effectively tackle them. The report's main goals are to highlight the issues with waste management, water management, and carbon emissions that directly affect our company's operations. You'll see some numerical data of operations and discoveries to provide you with a clear picture of each challenge's extent. Parallel to that, I'll describe the strategies and procedures we have taken to address these problems. You will have a complete understanding of the sustainability issues we are addressing and the proactive measures we are taking to address them by the time you finish reading this report. This knowledge will be extremely helpful to us as we continue to be committed to sustainable development and environmental responsibility. What is Sustainability and CSR? Jackie, let's begin by going over the fundamentals of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR), which will help you quickly grasp this important subject. You must first understand the definition. Meeting existing demands without affecting future generations' ability to fulfill their own needs is the standard definition of sustainability. (BROWNE, 2022) The idea that businesses should participate in the benefits of having control over large resources is the foundation of corporate social responsibility (CSR), which is a rightful obligation to society. Beyond the financial, ethical, and regulatory requirements that generate revenue, CSR aims to improve society. (McWilliams, 2020) Citation Missing The focus of both CSR and sustainability is how an organization affects the environment and local community. These days, businesses who practice Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) do so to improve their profits or manage their reputation; others do it because they have an ethical duty to society. Sustainable, ethical, ecological, and financial behavior can have a significant positive impact on your 2 | P a g e

Making the case for sustainability business's and the community's future. Certainly, understanding the relationship between CSR and sustainability is a critical part of it. (epa, n.d.) The top three sustainability challenges in pharmaceuticals industry and reason behind it As the head of sustainability and corporate social responsibility at SQR Pharmaceuticals Int., allow me to give you an overview of the three primary sustainability concerns that we currently face: carbon emissions, water scarcity, and waste management. I will also describe the steps that we are taking to address these problems. This page provides an overview with specific initiatives and data. 1. Carbon Emissions According to the Global Carbon Budget 2023, annual emissions from burning fossil fuels have increased every decade since the middle of the 20th century. In the 1960s, annual emissions from burning fossil fuels were close to 11 billion tons of carbon dioxide; by 2023, emissions are expected to reach 36.6 billion tons. (LINDSEY, 2024) We can observe measurable carbon emissions from our energy-intensive pharmaceutical production processes. The CO2 emissions from our activity in the previous year exceeded 50,000 metric tons. This 3 | P a g e

Making the case for sustainability equates to an annual emissions total of almost 10,000 passenger cars. We need to lower our carbon footprint in order to attain the global climate targets and improve our environmental impact. 2. Waste Management Among the many waste products generated by the pharmaceutical business are hazardous compounds. In 2023, SQR Pharmaceuticals produced 1,200 tons of waste, of which 30% was classified as hazardous. Proper disposal and recycling of this debris are challenging yet necessary to avoid damaging the environment and to comply with legislation. 3. Water Management We use a lot of water in our production processes, so we need to adopt sustainable techniques. The amount of water we used in 2023 was close to 500,000 cubic meters, or the annual consumption of approximately 2,000 dwellings. Reducing water usage and improving wastewater treatment are crucial if we want to minimize our impact on neighboring water sources. Increasing Water Use By tackling these issues, we not only improve our regulatory compliance but also reaffirm our dedication to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Businesses in our sector are doing to manage those challenges Pharmaceutical businesses in Canada are putting more and more emphasis on sustainability practices, tackling issues related to the environment and society that go beyond greenhouse gas emissions and waste management. These businesses have taken the following innovative steps, to name a few: Pfizer’s net-zero greenhouse gas emissions: Pfizer was one of the first companies in the world to apply to and be approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) in order to pursue their goal of lowering greenhouse gas emissions. To hasten the shift away from fossil fuels, Pfizer wants to cut its emissions by 95% by 2040 and collaborate with suppliers to get a 90% reduction. For its worldwide operations, Pfizer today sources about 6% of its electricity from renewable sources. By 2030, we want to source all of the electricity we buy from renewable sources. We are steadfastly devoted even if there is still work to be done. To do this, we're going to start by focusing on North America. In October 2021, we inked a virtual power purchase deal with Vesper Energy. Throughout the term of this 15-year contract, Pfizer will get 310 MW (megawatts) of renewable energy from Vesper Energy's 500 MW Hornet Solar project in West Texas. That plant ought to be operational by the end of 2023. When it happens, Pfizer's entire power supply will come from solar energy. (Pfizer, 2022) (VESPER ENERGY, 2021) 4 | P a g e

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