Study Grades Online CSR Reporting of Top Pharmaceutical Companies
When it comes to CSR reporting, Bristol-Myers Squibb (U.S.) and Sanofi-Aventis (France) lead the pharmaceutical sector, according to new research by the Roberts Environmental Center (REC) at Claremont McKenna College.
REC analyzed online sustainability reporting for the 26 largest pharmaceutical companies world-wide and scored the firms based on the transparency, intent, and performance for both environmental and social issues. Ultimately, the grades in this report were assigned on a curve, with the highest scoring companies receiving an A+.
Here’s a look at the highest and lowest scores:
Highest Overall Scores
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Sanofi-Aventis
Abbott Laboratories
Highest Environmental Reporting Scores
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Johnson & Johnson
Sanofi-Aventis
Abbott Laboratories
Highest Social Reporting Scores
Merck
Sanofi-Aventis
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Abbott Laboratories
AstraZeneca
Lowest Overall Scores
Forest Laboratories
NBTY
King Pharmaceuticals
As REC has found with similar research in other sectors, environmental performance was the most underreported section. Less than 60 percent of the companies studied mention climate change, and only slightly more than half report online about energy consumption, GHG emissions, waste disposal, renewable energy consumption, volatile organic carbon, hazardous waste produced, and water used. Even fewer –less than 20 percent –report biochemical demand of wastewater released, energy produced from renewable resources, carbon monoxide emissions, packaging materials waste, or packaging materials used.
The full 62-page report, which includes a grading sheet for each pharmaceutical company analyzed, is available here.
Also, you may remember that last year, I looked closely at the sustainability reports of Johnson & Johnson, Roche Holdings, Ltd., and Pfizer, Inc. See this post.
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