Pharmaceutical industry accelerates supply chain heat decarbonisation as Sanofi, UCB and Opella join AstraZeneca on Secaro and ERM’s Clean Heat Program
Pharmaceutical industry accelerates supply chain heat decarbonization
Multinational pharmaceutical companies Sanofi, UCB and Opella have joined AstraZeneca as founding members of the Clean Heat Program, an initiative from supply chain intelligence network Secaro and global sustainability consultancy ERM. The program addresses the challenge of reducing industrial emissions by replacing fossil fuel-based heating with low-carbon alternatives, helping businesses overcome common barriers including limited expertise, insufficient supply chain engagement, funding constraints, and the complexity of upgrading heat systems.
With the healthcare sector responsible for approximately 5% of global emissions, pharmaceutical giants are setting aggressive scope 1 targets for their own sites and ambitious targets for suppliers.Secaro and ERM’s Clean Heat Program addresses key challenges to supply chain heat decarbonization including limited expertise, insufficient supply chain engagement, funding constraints and system upgrade complexities.Founding members also look to drive operational efficiencies by reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuel prices and preparing for future regulation.Secaro signs new partnerships with Schneider Electric and 3Degrees.Multinational pharmaceutical companies Sanofi, UCB and Opella have joined AstraZeneca as founding members of the Clean Heat Program, an initiative from supply chain intelligence network Secaro and global sustainability consultancy ERM. The program addresses the challenge of reducing industrial emissions by replacing fossil fuel-based heating with low-carbon alternatives, helping businesses overcome common barriers including limited expertise, insufficient supply chain engagement, funding constraints, and the complexity of upgrading heat systems.
As pharmaceutical companies play a vital role in supplying medicines that protect and improve public health, and the healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, an increasing number of companies are recognizing the need to rapidly reduce emissions.
Sanofi has committed to reducing its scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 90% between 2019 and 2045 as part of its Net Zero target. UCB has committed to reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 90% by 2045 from a 2019 baseline and neutralize remaining CO2e emissions. Opella has committed to reducing absolute emissions by more than half (58.8%) by 2034, and by 90% by 2050, from a 2023 baseline and across scopes 1, 2, and 3. All three companies' near and long-term emissions targets have been validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). AstraZeneca joined the program as founding member in December last year (2025).
Industrial heat is often the largest remaining source of operational emissions. Initiatives such as the adoption of clean heat technologies are an important step in decarbonizing energy-intensive manufacturing processes while maintaining the quality, safety, and reliability of pharmaceutical production. For companies looking to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, the Clean Heat Program provides a practical route and, rather than asking companies to solve this challenge alone, the program reduces risks by bringing together industry leaders, technical experts and proven solutions.
“Heat has been one of the most challenging areas across the pharmaceutical value chain on the road to net zero, with high technical barriers, diverse supplier maturity and complex business cases,” said Giannis Kourousias, Sanofi Global Procurement Head - Environmental Responsibility. “By partnering with our peers, we can jointly develop solutions that will unblock suppliers in this critical area by providing deep technical expertise, support focusing on the right things and facilitating funding options.”
"Decarbonizing industrial heat is an important challenge to tackle as part of our net zero ambition, and working on this with key partners is a must for developing lasting low-carbon solutions,” said Marissa Saretsky, Chief Sustainability Officer, Opella. “At Opella, our Health strategy recognizes the interconnected health of planet, people, and businesses. By partnering with Secaro, ERM and our fellow founding members, we are seizing all available opportunities to accelerate progress and help build a more sustainable, resilient healthcare system.”
Secaro has also signed new agreements to expand its partner network with Schneider Electric and 3Degrees. SE Advisory Services, Schneider Electric's global consulting practice, provides additional services to suppliers, including energy studies, investment-grade audits, metering gap analysis and comprehensive energy management systems, among other services. 3Degrees, a global climate and renewable energy solutions provider, brings deep expertise in renewable natural gas and biomethane short- and long-term procurement across both US and European markets.
"Accelerating supply chain decarbonization requires streamlining pathways to implementation to the lower carbon alternatives,” said Dave Rimkus, Head of Global Supply Chain Decarbonization at SE Advisory Services. “Through initiatives like Energize, we have seen how collaboration can create these pathways to increase the uptake on renewable electricity adoption across value chains. We are excited to partner with Secaro and support the Clean Heat Program in bringing the same collaborative, action-oriented approach to one of the next frontiers of decarbonization: industrial heat.”
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