Chiesi’s commitment to planet and patient care

Chiesi Group’s unwavering commitment to both patient care and environmental sustainability sets a new standard in the pharmaceutical industry.

Through science-driven initiatives, Chiesi aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035, while raising awareness about the critical link between climate change and respiratory health.

Their ‘Action Over Words’ campaign exemplifies this commitment by educating the public, fostering collaboration, and supporting vulnerable communities.

Furthermore, Chiesi’s investment in a carbon-minimal inhaler platform demonstrates the Group’s dedication to reducing emissions while maintaining effective patient care.

With innovative solutions and alignment with the latest clinical guidelines, Chiesi is leading the way towards a healthier, more sustainable future.

Raising awareness on climate change and respiratory health

Chiesi’s ‘Action Over Words’ campaign seeks to raise awareness of how climate change worsens respiratory health. Key objectives include:

1. Raising awareness: Informing the public, healthcare professionals, and decision-makers on the connection between climate change and respiratory diseases. Factors like air pollution, extreme weather events, and rising temperatures contribute to conditions such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).¹
2. Fostering collaboration: Chiesi works with experts, organisations, and communities to develop strategies for addressing climate-related respiratory health challenges. Collaboration has been shown to be a key enabler for systemic change.²
3. Supporting vulnerable communities: The campaign aims at giving voice to communities at risk from climate-related respiratory issues.

The campaign’s slogan is “Let’s clear the air!” which calls for immediate action to safeguard respiratory health in a changing climate.

Chiesi’s commitment to net-zero emissions

Chiesi has set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2035.³ This target is validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi),⁴ ensuring alignment with global climate objectives. Chiesi’s emission reduction targets are:

• 90% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources and emissions from purchased energy) by 2030, based on 2019 levels.
• 90% reduction in Scope 3 emissions (including emissions from purchased goods, business travel, and the use of sold products) by 2035.

These targets exceed the European Union’s 2050 climate goals and demonstrate Chiesi’s leadership in sustainability within the pharmaceutical sector.

Developing a carbon-minimal inhaler platform

Sustainable innovation is crucial in respiratory health. Recognising the environmental impact of traditional inhalers, Chiesi invested €350 million to develop a carbon-minimal inhaler platform for asthma and COPD patients.

Chiesi’s research shows that inhalers using low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) propellants present an effective solution for minimising their carbon emissions. The development builds on Chiesi’s foundations of transitioning to more environmentally conscious solutions.⁵

A study comparing low-GWP propellants to traditional inhalers showed a 90% reduction in carbon footprint.⁶

This builds on the company’s history of developing carbon minimal solutions to address the challenges facing the planet, such as being one of the first companies to create Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-free inhalers.

While Chiesi is transitioning to low-GWP propellants, the most sustainable inhaler is one that patients can use effectively.⁷ The latest Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines highlight the combined risks of air pollution and heat, which were demonstrated to elevate all-cause mortality in affected patients.⁸

The Guidelines stress the importance of patient education and correct inhaler technique to optimise treatment efficacy. Chiesi’s carbon-minimal inhaler platform will reduce the environmental impact of the devices, while ensuring a seamless transition for patients.

Chiesi Group is committed to addressing climate change through evidence-driven initiatives that prioritise both patient health and environmental sustainability.

By crafting a robust decarbonisation strategy encompassing awareness campaigns, science-based targets, patients and community care, Chiesi is shaping a sustainable future.

References

1. Economist Impact. Cleaner air, clearer lungs, better lives Exploring the intersection of air quality, health inequalities and lung health 2 [Internet]. Available at: https://impact.economist.com/perspectives/sites/default/files/economistimpact_lung-health_september2023.pdf
2. The King’s Fund. NHS and life sciences industry partnerships Collaborating to improve care [Internet]. Available at: https://assets.kingsfund.org.uk/f/256914/x/a53a8f5edb/lifesciencesnhs_report_full.pdf
3. Chiesi data on file.
4. The Science-based Targets Initiative, “The Net Zero Standard” [Internet]. Available at: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/Net-Zero-Standard.pdf
5. Rony F, Cortellini M, Guasconi A, et al. Evaluating the Pharmacokinetics Of Beclomethasone Dipropionate/Formoterol Fumarate/Glycopyrroniu Bromide Delivered Via Pressurised Metered-Dose Inhaler Using A Low Global Warming Potential Propellant. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2024;85:1-9.
6. Corr S. The Development of HFA-152a as a Sustainable Pmdi Propellant. [Internet] The Aerosol Society. 2019. Available at: https://aerosol-soc.com/abstracts/development-of-hfa-152a-as-a-sustainable-pmdi-propellant/
7. Pathway Overview. The Greener Respiratory Pathway [Internet]. Available from: https://www.pcrs-uk.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/Greener-Pathway-Interactive.pdf
8. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Global Strategy For Prevention, Diagnosis And Management Of COPD: GOLD 2024 Report [Internet]. Available from: https://goldcopd.org/2024-gold-report/