Our approach

Edda: Can you share, where do we currently stand with sustainability at Boehringer Ingelheim?

Maria: In early 2021, we formally launched our global sustainability framework: Sustainable Development for Generations. This strategy takes a holistic approach and is based on three pillars – MORE HEALTH, MORE POTENTIAL and MORE GREEN. It reflects our commitment to human and animal health, to our people and communities, and health to the planet. Within this framework we have defined commitments 2030, which are in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The healthcare challenges our world faces are immense - we know that to achieve impact, we can’t do it alone, therefore we focus on innovation and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration along our value chain.

Edda: It’s interesting to see how the concept of sustainability has evolved over the years. Back in the early 1900’s, Albert Boehringer introduced health insurance, affordable housing, pension plans and paid annual leave for our employees, understanding that their well-being is tied to the sustainability of the business. The idea of annual leave was such a novelty that employees often didn’t use it. To ensure they did, the company required them to send postcards while on vacation – confirming they went on leave and took the time to regenerate.

Maria: Indeed! Sustainability is integral part of our core values, and it is a journey that started a long time ago, one we are continuously developing. In 2023, we decided to evolve our sustainability strategy further to concentrate on nine sustainability programs. By sharpening our focus, we aim to create more impact and really make a difference. Moving forward, these are Innovation, Disease Prevention, Access, Healthcare Delivery Support, Social Engagement Models, Impact through our People, Responsible & Sustainable Sourcing, Sustainable Medicines, and Decarbonization & Water Management. The first four focus specifically on health equity initiatives across the entire patient continuum of care, designed to help close healthcare gaps.

Edda: Our commitment to Human Rights is not just a significant part of our sustainability efforts, but a fundamental principle that we actively integrate into our business operations. How come?

Maria: Indeed, Human Rights -encompassing basic political, civil, economic, labor, social, and cultural rights, and freedoms- are integral to our work and embedded in our company culture. We firmly believe that upholding these rights is not just essential for the sustainability of our business, but also the right thing to do. Our approach is aligned with the UN’s guiding principles on Business and Human Rights and integrated into our policies, such as our Code of Conduct and Environmental, Health, Safety (EHS) Compliance program and Supplier Code of Conduct. As members of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI), our Supplier Code of Conduct and EHS guidelines are also aligned with the PSCI’s principles.

Edda: We are so pleased to share this first edition of IMAGINE: our sustainability story hub. Which achievements from 2023 are your highlights?

Maria: It was a year of many achievements. Whether our Angels Initiative, which has grown to become the largest stroke community in the world and has helped over 16 million stroke patients over the years. Or, our STOP Rabies program, which last year implemented campaigns in different endemic countries and provided more than 43 million rabies vaccine doses. Overall, I am pleased of our progress and the recent external recognition of our sustainability efforts, since this confirms we are on the right track. Two stand out: last summer our decarbonization targets were validated and approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), which means we are in alignment with the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. In November we received the German Sustainability Award for our global efforts in pioneering transformation in the pharmaceutical industry.

Edda: Both of these wouldn’t have been possible without the ongoing commitment of our colleagues around the globe.

Maria: Absolutely! At Boehringer, we are working towards instilling a sustainability mindset in all our 53,000+ employees around the globe, so that it becomes an integral part of everything we do. Embedding sustainability into how each and every one of us go about our jobs is key to our company's commitment to transforming lives and making a greater impact on humans, animals, communities, and our planet. Stay tuned Edda, there is much more to come!

Edda: Thanks Maria. It’s great to see how our holistic approach to sustainability is creating impact. It’s a challenging journey, but one we are all so incredibly proud to be part of.