Our commitment to caring for the planet
Championing a more sustainable future
At Ipsen, we’re passionate about fostering a sustainable future for our planet and communities. Our comprehensive environmental strategy revolves around responsible consumption and production, decisive climate action and protecting the earth’s precious ecosystems. This is delivered through three areas of focus:
- Leading action on climate
- Preserving our natural resources
- Protecting healthy ecosystems
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, we’re devoted to minimising our environmental footprint through a broad range of environmental actions and initiatives. Our ambitious commitments include achieving zero waste, optimising energy and water conservation, and protecting biodiversity.
All environmental issues are managed by Ipsen’s Environment Health and Safety (EHS) governance bodies at every level of the organization. We comply with all applicable regulatory requirements as well as our own EHS policy, standards and requirements wherever we operate. This is validated by Group certification to the ISO 45001-2018 Occupational Health & Safety and ISO 14001-2015 Environmental Management system international standards.
How we are working to create a sustainable future
Ipsen is continually looking at how we can optimise our processes to minimise our impact on the climate and create positive change.
Science-based targets approval
Ipsen aims to minimise our contribution to global warming. To this end, our climate trajectory has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), verifying our alignment with the Paris Agreement’s most ambitious goal of 1.5° C. The SBTi is the global authority in the independent assessment and validation of science-based targets. Theirs is an internationally recognised stamp of approval for our efforts. By joining the Business Ambition for 1.5° C campaign in 2021, Ipsen also committed to reaching net zero value-chain GHG emissions by 2050.
Acting as a renewable energy leader
90% of Ipsen’s global electricity came from renewable sources by the end of 2022, demonstrating our dedication to adopting clean energy solutions. By reducing our carbon footprint, we are actively contributing to a greener future for our planet. Ipsen is committed to using 100% renewable electricity by 2025.
Reducing energy use in facilities
To demonstrate our commitment to sustainable energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reductions, we are reducing our facility energy intensity. In 2022, we achieved a 29% reduction compared to 2019. One example of how we are doing this is the installation of a waste heat recovery and reuse system at our Dublin facility, alongside a new high-efficiency gas chiller system.
Minimizing the climate impact of offices
Ipsen is committed to achieving a sustainable real estate footprint to Minimising the climate impact of our office locations. We have reduced our office floor-print by 8% since 2019, and our new offices in Toronto and Brazil are both certified Gold for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Decreasing waste generation
We have already surpassed our 2025 waste reduction target. Thanks to a strong commitment to waste reduction efforts, we achieved in 2022 a 22% reduction in waste intensity. This includes recycling, reuse and preventions initiatives. We have now committed to a target of zero-waste-to-disposal (landfill or incinerations without energy recovery) by 2025.
Increasing waste recycling rate
Alongside waste reduction, we aim to send as much waste as possible for recycling or recovery. Showcasing our dedication, we increased our recycling/recovery from 22% in 2019 to over 36% in 2022.
Lowering water intensity levels
We aim to promote responsible water consumption practices and efficient natural resource usage within all of our operations. Compared to the 2019 base year, we successfully reduced water intensity by 8% in 2022. Having achieved this, the Ipsen water program has shifted its focus to ensuring sustainable water usage. A water management review has been completed at our Signes facility to identify “zero water waste” opportunities and confirmed a sustainable site water intensity.
Awarding Nature and Biodiversity Certificates to our sites
As part of Ipsen’s new Nature and Biodiversity program, we have already awarded silver certificates to Ipsen Biopharm Ltd in Slough, UK, for their work to protect local birds, butterflies and insects, and Ipsen PharmSciences in Dreux, France, for the use of organic land management methods. Our Biodiversity framework has set a nature positive target by 2030.