Environmental Leader

Novo Nordisk exceeded long-term targets for reducing CO2 emissions, water consumption and total energy consumption, while increasing its workforce by 8 percent and sales by 12 percent in 2009, according to the company’s integrated annual report. The pharmaceutical company reduced CO2 emissions by 32 percent and water consumption by 20 percent in 2009.

Novo Nordisk surpassed its 2014 target of a 10 percent absolute reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 2004 at the end of 2009 due to energy savings in all global production facilities despite continual increases in production. The company’s energy consumption in Denmark has dropped by 30 million kWh.

The company plans to use the savings from the energy reductions in Denmark to purchase wind energy to supply power for its Danish operations, which should be operational in 2010. The transition to wind-generated electricity is projected to reduce CO2 emissions b 90,000 to 100,000 tons.

Novo Nordisk says it is committed to reducing energy consumption and using alternative energy sources. As an example, the company’s Brazilian facility uses hydroelectric energy and biomass, resulting in the lowest CO2 emissions among Novo Nordisk production sites worldwide.

To further cut CO2 emissions, the company plans to assess in 2010 a baseline for emissions from all transportation including product distribution, company cars and business travel.

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) recently showcased Novo Nordisk’s best practices for reducing fleet CO2 emissions. At the time, the company reported it cut CO2 emissions by 24 percent during the first six months of 2009 by offering incentives for fuel-smart choices and training drivers to operate more efficiently.

Waste is one area where the company did not realize performance improvements in 2009, increasing the total amount of waste by 3 percent compared to 2008. The company attributes the increase to a 24 percent increase in the quantity of hazardous waste.

However, the amount of non-hazardous waste decreased by 6 percent due to decreases in incinerated waste, plastic, and gland residues. The recycling percentage remained at the same level as in 2008.

To improve waste reductions companywide, Novo Nordisk established a waste reduction plan in 2009, focusing on areas where it has the greatest opportunities for reducing production waste. The company plans to launch an internal waste forum and develop longer-term waste reduction targets starting in 2011.