Big Pharma gets gold star on climate change scorecard

The pharmaceutical sector has scored the highest of any industry in the Climate Counts climate change scorecard, which measures corporate efforts to reduce emissions.

Climate Counts, a non-profit group that gauges corporate attempts to restrict greenhouse gas emissions, surveys 14 different industries on its climate change scorecard, and rates them in three categories: stuck, starting, and striding. Twelve of the companies in the pharmaceuticals sector achieved striding ratings, with two falling into the starting category. AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson got the highest ratings out of 100, at 76 and 75 respectively.

But the news was not all good. "In spite of good scores on measurement and reporting, they have been weak on reducing their emissions and have, for the most part, failed to use their formidable collective lobbying muscle to help pass strong climate legislation," said Climate Counts on its blog.

Companies were good at measuring their emissions – Climate Counts considered this a "sector strength" – but had not made great strides in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Antiquated supply chains and inefficient manufacturing thanks to high product margins were two primary hurdles for carbon reduction in the sector, said the organisation.

The 14 industries surveyed by Climate Counts are airlines, beverages, consumer shipping, food products, hotels, internet and software, pharmaceuticals, apparel, banking, electronics, food services, household products, media, and children's toys. It rates them on their climate footprint, their impact on global warming, support for progressive climate legislation and public disclosure.