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Reducing energy usage at its commercial and manufacturing facilities in Ireland

AbbVie has invested approximately €9.5 million in energy management, sustainability and renewable energy programmes in Ireland in the last decade and has developed ambitious, long-term environmental sustainability targets for reductions in carbon emissions, water and waste while increasing renewable electricity use

Solar array at AbbVie’s Ballytivnan, Sligo site

Thu Apr 25 2024 - 09:18

Global biopharmaceutical company AbbVie has set ambitious, long-term environmental sustainability targets for reductions in carbon emissions, water and waste while increasing renewable electricity use.

According to AbbVie global energy programme manager Peter Moran, the company is committed to going beyond medicine, not just developing innovative therapies but also playing a wider role in improving healthcare outcomes and enhancing local communities and the environment.

In 2021, AbbVie made a commitment to set near-term Science Based Targets. Working with the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) gives organisations access to expert resources that support the meaningful reduction of their climate impact while providing external independent assessment of progress.

In August 2022, AbbVie submitted its targets to SBTi. New targets, which SBTi validated in March 2023, include a commitment to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 42 per cent by 2030 on 2021 levels. A 15.6 per cent reduction had already been achieved by the end of 2022.

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The company has also committed to increasing active sourcing of renewable electricity from 29.5 per cent in 2021 to 100 per cent by 2030. By the end of 2022, 42.7 per cent usage of renewable electricity had been achieved globally, and 100 per cent for AbbVie’s Irish sites.

The supply chain is being addressed as well and AbbVie aims to have at least 79.1 per cent of its suppliers operating with science-based emissions targets by 2027. By the end of 2022, 23 per cent had been achieved.

Since its establishment in 2013, AbbVie has invested about €9.5 million in energy management, sustainability, and renewable energy programmes in Ireland. Even with recent expansions, energy programmes and projects delivered a 10 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions and a 6 per cent reduction in energy usage in 2023 compared to 2021. The savings have been delivered through a number of projects including the installation of heat pumps, heat recovery systems, lighting, insulation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades (HVAC), and employee awareness and engagement programmes.

AbbVie’s 2025 target waste reduction has been achieved three years in advance of schedule, with a 20 per cent reduction, while water withdrawal was reduced by 17 per cent in 2022. The company is on schedule to meet its 2025 target of a 50 per cent recycling rate for all hazardous and non-hazardous waste and zero waste to landfill, with a 39 per cent recycling rate, and a 92 per cent landfill diversion achieved in 2022. Three manufacturing sites in Ireland completed the company’s Zero Waste to Landfill global programme certification in 2023 with the two remaining Irish sites scheduled for 2024.

AbbVie employees have come together to form Team Evergreen groups dedicated to delivering innovative energy management and sustainability programmes, adds Moran who co-leads the initiative.

“One of the initiatives Team Evergreen has championed recently is the AbbVie Ecochallenge, which is run annually to coincide with Earth Day. In 2023, close to 200 colleagues participated in the month-long virtual project. It encourages AbbVie employees, both as individuals and teams, to engage in environmental sustainability and social-focused activities,” says Moran. “Our employees and teams also have an opportunity to win prizes, challenge other teams and receive regular hints and tips to help them make the most impact in their local communities and on the environment.”

[ AbbVie named among the best pharma workplaces in Ireland ]

Another initiative has seen free-to-use electric car charge points installed in car parks at all AbbVie Ireland sites are available free of charge. “At our Ballytivnan, Sligo site, the installation of a solar PV array has provided a sustainable power supply for these chargers and has increased awareness amongst site employees,” says Moran. “Since installation, the system has exceeded expectations, and the project has delivered an annual average reduction of 110 tonnes of CO2.”

In addition, the Manorhamilton Road, Sligo facility has received My Green Lab certification. “This is the first AbbVie site globally to achieve this recognition,” Moran said. “My Green Lab is a leader for laboratory environmental sustainability best practices and this will result in a reduction of AbbVie quality control lab energy and water consumption and reduce waste, without compromising research quality or safety. Crucially, the Sligo team has shared their learnings and approach across our organisation to enable other AbbVie sites to achieve accreditation and realise similar sustainability impact.”

These achievements and commitments have led to the company winning several awards including the Sustainable Energy Achievement and the Green Lifesciences awards at the 2024 Green Awards as well as the honour for Sustainable Business Team at the 2023 Sustainable Business Awards.

“AbbVie is focusing on the long-term sustainability of its operations, including its commercial and manufacturing facilities in Ireland, by reducing the energy it consumes, reducing the water it uses and reducing the waste it generates,” Moran said.

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