Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Novartis score?

Novartis reports Scope 1 (207 kt CO₂e) and Scope 2 market-based (30 kt CO₂e) for FY2024 using GHG Protocol methodology with external limited assurance. Multi-year tracking since at least 2016 with granular breakdown. Data is based on 9 months actual + 3 months estimated, with subsequent restatement to full actuals. Reporting criteria are publicly available with SBTi-aligned methodology.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Novartis score?

Novartis reports full Scope 3 emissions (~4.4 Mt CO₂e in 2024) across material categories. Purchased goods and services account for 78% of Scope 3. The company uses the SiGREEN digital platform (Siemens) to collect supplier-specific emissions data and has embedded environmental sustainability criteria into supplier contracts covering 97% of supplier-related Scope 3 spend. Supplier engagement programme includes the ENERGIZE initiative and Environmental Sustainability Supplier Playbook. However, s

Emissions Trajectory: How does Novartis score?

Novartis shows consistent absolute reductions across all scopes. Scope 1+2 fell 35.91% from the 2022 baseline and 19.72% year-on-year (2023 to 2024). Scope 3 decreased approximately 5% year-on-year from ~4.6 Mt (2023) to ~4.4 Mt (2024). Total emissions dropped from ~4.9 Mt to ~4.6 Mt. These are absolute reductions, not intensity-based. On track for SBTi-validated 2030 targets (90% Scope 1+2 reduction, 42% Scope 3 reduction from 2022 baseline). Score capped slightly below 8 because Scope 3 declin

Energy Source: How does Novartis score?

Novartis is an RE100 member committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2025. In 2023, 92% of purchased electricity was from renewable sources. In 2025, the company reports 100% renewable electricity usage. Novartis has signed multiple VPPAs (277 MW in Europe, 100 MW in Texas via Invenergy) providing additionality. The company is also EV100 member transitioning its vehicle fleet. Scope 2 market-based emissions of only 30 kt reflect effective renewable energy procurement. Active supplier energy tr

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Novartis score?

Novartis added a new Nature pillar to its environmental strategy in 2024 with 2030 commitments. The company participates in the WBCSD Roadmap to Nature Positive for the pharmaceutical sector and has provided case studies for TNFD implementation in Switzerland. Basin-specific water targets are being established for sites in water-stressed areas using Science Based Targets Network guidance. However, no quantified nature footprint or verified deforestation-free commitment is yet published. Biodiver

Resource Use & Waste: How does Novartis score?

Novartis achieved a 70% reduction in waste sent for disposal versus 2016 baseline, nearly 20 percentage points ahead of target. PVC has been fully eliminated from secondary and tertiary packaging across all global manufacturing sites by 2025. The company has a clear waste hierarchy (prevent, reduce, recycle, energy recovery, then disposal) and has set a new 2030 target for 30% waste reduction from 2022 baseline. Plastic neutrality target was retired following the Sandoz spinoff (reduced plastic

Water Impact: How does Novartis score?

Novartis achieved a 59% absolute reduction in water consumption from the 2016 baseline, exceeding its 50% target. 97% of manufacturing sites and 100% of high-risk suppliers meet strict water quality standards for pharmaceutical effluent discharge. The company has invested in wastewater treatment (e.g. carbon-filter technology at Targu Mures, Romania). CDP Water Security A List recipient. Water targets are being revised to basin-specific targets for water-stressed areas aligned with SBTN guidance

Targets & Commitments: How does Novartis score?

Novartis has SBTi-validated near-term and long-term targets (approved July 2024) aiming for net-zero by 2040. Targets are absolute: 90% reduction in Scope 1+2 and 42% reduction in Scope 3 by 2030 from 2022 baseline. Net-zero by 2040 across all scopes. Follows reduction-first approach with carbon removal credits anticipated to represent less than 10% of base-year emissions. The company has achieved carbon neutrality for Scope 1+2 by 2025, using 124.3 kt of carbon removal credits, 70.8 kt of biome

Transparency & Accountability: How does Novartis score?

Novartis publishes an annual Novartis in Society Integrated Report, quarterly impact and sustainability updates, and a separate Report on Nonfinancial Matters. External limited assurance on key environmental data. ECN members and senior leaders have ESG targets in annual objectives. TCFD disclosure, CSRD preparation underway. CDP Climate Change A rating and Water Security A List. Sustainalytics ESG risk rating of 15.6 (low risk). MSCI AAA rating. Board oversight of ESG matters. Shareholders endo

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Novartis score?

Starting at 8: The 2022 NewClimate Institute report rated Novartis climate targets as 'very low integrity', a credible NGO criticism (-2). InfluenceMap found very limited direct climate policy engagement but noted Novartis retains membership in several industry associations that 'engage predominantly negatively on climate policy' (-1). Drug pricing controversies and DOJ deferred prosecution (dismissed December 2023) relate to governance rather than environment but indicate systemic compliance co

Novartis Sustainability Score: 50/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Novartis·Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals·Prague, Czech Republic·Founded 1996·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Making progressPending Review

Novartis has built credible climate infrastructure with SBTi-validated targets and absolute emission reductions across all scopes. However, it relies on carbon credits to claim 2025 neutrality, retains fossil fuel heating, and faces NGO criticism for trade association misalignment on climate policy. Nature strategy remains nascent.

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 Novartis is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Energy Source (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (3/10, 5/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

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

[1]Third-party verified

DitchCarbon — Novartis organizational profile

Ongoing

Q1Q2Q3

Every score shows its working.

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

Every document used, listed.

Where Novartis sits among healthcare / pharmaceuticals peers.

Novartis'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.