Pfizer

Sector: Corporate

Employees:

> 106,000

Carbon Footprint:

> 2,591,375 metric tonnes CO₂e Scopes 1 and 2 (2005)

TARGETS

> First GHG reduction goals set in 2000 - As part of its commitment as US EPA’s Climate Leaders partner, Pfizer set a company-wide goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 35% per million dollar of sales by 2007 from the baseline year 2000. Pfizer was one of the first Climate Leaders member companies to set a global goal.
> Commitment to source 35% of global electricity by 2010 through clean energy sources such as co-generation.

Achievements

> 201,000 metric tonne reduction in (unknown Scope) CO₂e emissions 2002-05
> From 2000 to 2005, Pfizer reduced CO₂ emissions by 31% per million dollars sales. During the same time period, absolute CO₂ emissions decreased approximately 4%.

Benefits

> $30 million annual net savings 2002-05. $70 million invested 2002-05

Low Carbon Solutions

Background

Pfizer is one of the world’s largest pharmaceuticals/healthcare companies, based in the US, with 2006 revenues of $51.3 billion and employing over 100,000 staff.

All Pfizer manufacturing, research and development, large logistic facilities and large offices are required on an annual basis to:
> Quantify their total annual energy use;
> Conduct periodic energy audits to identify their energy conservation opportunities;
> Identify and prioritize these opportunities;
> Develop and implement annual energy conservation targets and actions.
By increasing internal efficiency, Pfizer has saved over $15 million annually. Also, from 2002 to 2003, energy use was reduced 5% from 7.9 million megawatt hours (MWh) to 7.5 million MWh. Pfizer’s investment in energy efficiency has reduced energy costs significantly. In 2005 alone, Pfizer completed 410 energy conservation projects, delivering approximately $12.5 million in recurring annual savings and reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 81,000 metric tonnes.

Pfizer’s long-term focus has been on energy efficiency and the sourcing of electricity from clean energy sources. Pfizer’s Climate Change and Energy Program seeks to minimise the cost and operational restrictions arising from a carbon constrained environment, reduce Pfizer’s contribution to GHG emissions, and facilitate Pfizer business and operational adaptation to the physical changes resulting from a warming global climate. The company set its first GHG reduction goals in 2000, with a 2007 target which covers both direct and indirect emissions, and sales fleet emissions in North America and Europe.

Pfizer has made a commitment to sourcing 35% of global electricity by 2010 through clean energy sources such as co-generation. Energy co-generated at its facilities increased by 19% from 2000 to 2003 and now accounts for 11% of its energy capacity. As of the end of 2005, Pfizer obtained 19% of its energy needs from clean energy sources, (hydropower and other renewable energy sources constitute 6% and 2% percent of energy use, respectively), and the company has plans in place to obtain an additional 8% from systems that are under construction. For example, Pfizer is in the process of converting a heavy-oil fired boiler at a site in India to burn locally grown sugar cane husks. Pfizer has been using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and fuel cell power dating back to 1996 at the company’s Freiburg, Germany facility. The solar panels on the roof of the Freiburg facility cafeteria produce over 25,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean energy per year. Its solar energy investment makes good business sense due to Germany’s fixed compensation rates for photovoltaics. Pfizer’s renewable energy sourcing emphasises the benefit to society when state policies and private business work together.