Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does GSK score?

GSK reports Scope 1 (521kt) and Scope 2 market-based (44kt) for FY2024, following GHG Protocol methodology with Deloitte limited assurance. Multi-year tracking shows a 26.7% decline in Scope 1 since 2020 and a 36% combined Scope 1+2 reduction. Granular breakdown by fuel type, fleet, inhaler propellant, and refrigerants is publicly available in the Environmental Data 2024 supplement.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does GSK score?

GSK quantifies Scope 3 at approximately 9.0 Mt CO₂e (2023), representing ~93% of total emissions. The company identifies purchased goods and services (29%) and patient use of inhalers (53%) as the largest categories. GSK runs the Energize programme with 20 pharma sponsors and 560 suppliers, and engages its 15 highest-emitting suppliers on decarbonisation plans. However, full 2024 Scope 3 data was not published in the 2024 report, and actual supplier emission reductions have been slow to material

Emissions Trajectory: How does GSK score?

Scope 1+2 emissions have declined 36% since the 2020 baseline, a genuine absolute reduction. However, total value-chain emissions (including Scope 3) fell only approximately 12% by 2023 against a target of 80% by 2030, meaning GSK is at half the required pace. Scope 3 was essentially flat from 2022 (8.995Mt) to 2023 (8.984Mt). Independent analysis notes GSK 'is not on track to meet its goals.' Score capped below 6 because Scope 3 — 93% of the footprint — is not materially declining.

Energy Source: How does GSK score?

GSK is a RE100 member committed to 100% imported renewable electricity by 2025 and 100% total renewable electricity by 2030. By end-2023, GSK had reached 83% purchased renewable electricity. The company has signed multiple VPPAs including a 200 GWh/year VPPA with IGNIS for European solar and a 10-year deal with Sembcorp in Singapore. On-site wind and solar generation is being installed at major manufacturing sites including Irvine (Scotland) and Montrose. However, natural gas for heat remains si

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does GSK score?

GSK is one of the first three companies globally to have validated science-based targets for nature through SBTN, covering freshwater and land. The company is a TNFD member and early adopter, committed to publishing TNFD-aligned disclosures from 2026. GSK has set deforestation-free targets for soy, cattle, oil palm and wood. It has committed to zero conversion of natural ecosystems in direct operations by 2025. The Hertfordshire Living Rivers Project and Godavari basin restoration demonstrate ac

Resource Use & Waste: How does GSK score?

GSK reports that 49% of materials leaving its sites were recovered via circular routes in 2024 (down from prior year on a like-for-like basis due to methodology changes). The company applies ecodesign and green chemistry principles to medicines development. It targets eliminating single-use plastics and integrating waste reduction into broader nature targets. Paper packaging sourcing targets (100% certified or recycled by 2030) are in place. However, the circularity rate declined and there are n

Water Impact: How does GSK score?

GSK achieved its 2030 water reduction target in 2022 (ahead of schedule) and continued reducing, reaching 28% below the 2020 baseline. Total water use fell from 7.95M m³ (2021) to 7.06M m³ (2024). All GSK sites complete water stewardship assessments aligned to the Alliance for Water Stewardship standard. The company has a validated SBTN freshwater target to reduce net withdrawal in the Upper Godavari basin by 100% by 2030. It partners with WWF on freshwater ecosystem restoration and is a UN CEO

Targets & Commitments: How does GSK score?

GSK has SBTi-validated near-term targets (80% absolute reduction across all scopes by 2030 from 2020 baseline) and an SBTi-validated net-zero target for 2045 (90% absolute reduction with residual neutralisation). These are absolute, not intensity-based. GSK's Scope 3 commitment of 80% reduction is the most ambitious in pharma. The company follows a reduction-first approach, with carbon credits reserved only for the residual 20% by 2030. However, actual progress (12% total by 2023 against 80% by

Transparency & Accountability: How does GSK score?

GSK reports in line with SASB, GRI, TCFD, and TNFD frameworks. Environmental data receives Deloitte limited assurance annually. The company discloses trade association memberships publicly and publishes CDP responses. Board-level oversight of responsible business via the Corporate Responsibility Committee. Nature metrics are linked to senior leader remuneration. CSRD reporting will begin from FY2025. GSK does not yet have executive compensation explicitly linked to emissions reduction targets (i

Controversies & Red Flags: How does GSK score?

Starting from 8. No environmental greenwashing lawsuits or climate-specific regulatory actions identified. The 2012 $3B US DOJ fine was for pharmaceutical fraud (off-label marketing), not environmental issues. On lobbying: InfluenceMap finds GSK's positions 'not clearly aligned with IPCC recommendations on limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C' and notes GSK signed the February 2024 Antwerp Declaration opposing prescriptive EU Green Deal regulations (deduct 1). GSK is a member of VCI (German

GSK Sustainability Score: 50/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

GSK·Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals·London, United Kingdom·Founded 2000·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Making progressPending Review

GSK has locked in ambitious absolute reduction targets across all scopes, achieved real Scope 1+2 cuts of 36%, and leads pharma on nature science-based targets. But total emissions fell only 12% by 2023 against an 80% by 2030 goal—Scope 3, which is 93% of the footprint, barely budged. Lobbying misalignment and slowing circular economy performance expose the gap between ambition and delivery.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals sector ceiling.

45 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

67 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 45) + (0.7 × 67) = 60.4

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Making progress.

50 / 100

The ten questions

Where GSK is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Resource Use & Waste (4/10, 5/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

17 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Self-reported

Environmental Data 2024

2024

Q1Q2Q3Q6Q7

Every score shows its working.

Where GSK is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where GSK sits among healthcare / pharmaceuticals peers.

GSK's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

Related companies worth a look.

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Which companies moved this week, and why.