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Targeted supplier engagement to cut carbon

Global pharmaceutical companies are decarbonizing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) supply chains together with the Activate program.

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Activate members

Problem

API manufacturing is carbon intensive

APIs, a key constituent in medicines and vaccines, can be resource-intensive to manufacture due to material use, energy-intensive processes and waste recovery. Shared challenges to decarbonize include:

High carbon intensity across facilities

Unreliable or inconsistent supplier data

Fragmented supplier engagement and limited support

Solution

Collaboration across a shared supply chain accelerates action

Activate goes beyond data collection and works closely with API suppliers to strengthen relationships, align with science-based decarbonization targets, drive more sustainable procurement, and identify opportunities for operational and resource efficiency.

Suppliers measure their emissions with reliable calculations

Buyers gain shared visibility and consistent data across common suppliers

Support, learning, and funding are coordinated rather than fragmented

How it works

A structured path to measure, prioritize, and reduce emissions.

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    Onboard and baseline suppliers using a consistent facility methodology.

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    Share environmental data with buyers to identify high-intensity hotspots.

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    Targeted support with the API Playbook, green chemistry innovation, and dedicated finance.

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    Track collective progress with ongoing analysis.

Impact

Scalable emissions reduction across a global API network

Activate operates across 20+ countries, helping the sector:

  • Build consistent baselines across shared suppliers
  • Reduce facility-level carbon intensity through coordinated support
  • Improve Scope 3 performance with transparent, science-based progress
Activate
At UCB we value collaboration and partnership. By working with partners aligned with our sustainability approach, we're able to shape a better future for our business, patients, and the planet.
Anne-Laure Demarcy
Head of Environmental Sustainability, UCB
Activate is the type of action-based, collaborative program that is needed to identify and accelerate the decarbonization of known areas of high carbon impact in the pharma value chain.
Glynn Roberts
Senior Partner - Carnstone

Want to join Activate?

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