Our commitment to environmental sustainability is an important part of how we build trust with society and is aligned with our purpose. Unless we can operate sustainably, our efforts to improve and extend people’s lives may be compromised by our environmental impact. Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy (PDF 2.2 MB) lays out our priorities in this area.

In this section: Climate | Nature - Water | Nature - Waste | Pollution of air | Environmental management | Sustainable product design

Climate

Novartis is committed to using resources efficiently and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In July 2024, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated the near- and long-term, science-based emissions reduction targets of Novartis, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Our strategy is consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and hence in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

See ESG Data Summary 2025 (PDF 0.1 MB) for metrics including: energy; GHG emissions; removals and carbon credits; transition planning.

Nature – Water

Responsible water management means using water efficiently and safely throughout the life cycle of our products, across our operations and supply chain. We have processes and procedures designed to ensure compliance with relevant environmental regulations, compliance obligations and internal requirements. We are committed to having no water quality impacts from manufacturing effluents from our own manufacturing sites and labs, as well as from high-risk suppliers and suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). By 2030, we also plan to implement water use reductions for own and supplier sites based in water-stressed basins that have potential material impacts on these basins. Sites are identified through our nature assessment, which follows the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework and guidance by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN).

See ESG Data Summary 2025 (PDF 0.1 MB) for metrics including: water withdrawals; water discharged; water consumption; sites and suppliers meeting water quality standards.

Nature – Waste

Our waste management strategy aims to prevent, reduce, reuse, recycle or recover waste (including energy recovery), before selecting safe disposal as an option. Waste prevention and reduction are always preferred to treatment, incineration or disposal. We have targets to reduce the amount of non-hazardous and hazardous operational waste sent to disposal.

We ensure the secure collection and treatment of waste containing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and we encourage patients to dispose of any unused or expired products or waste materials in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

See ESG Data Summary 2025 (PDF 0.1 MB) for metrics including: waste generated; waste recycled; waste not recycled; non-hazardous waste; hazardous waste; sites that have eliminated PVC in product packaging.

Pollution of air

We disclose our emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) annually. Our SOx and NOx emissions have relatively low impact, and we expect further decreases through climate and emissions mitigation initiatives, such as energy-efficient building projects, technological and process improvements to reduce energy use, and adopting renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel reliance. 

See ESG Data Summary 2025 (PDF 0.1 MB) for metrics including: volatile organic compounds.

Environmental management

Novartis has an internal health, safety and environment (HSE) management system that applies to all employees. We are committed to regularly conducting audits, reviews and self-inspections to ensure conformance to internal requirements, as well as compliance with applicable local laws and regulations. The sites that have chosen to pursue external HSE management system certifications (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and/or ISO 50001) have gone above and beyond our internal expectations. Novartis supports individual site decisions on pursuing external certifications.

See ESG Data Summary 2025 (PDF 0.1 MB) for metrics including: coverage of internally validated HSE system; coverage of certified environmental management system (ISO 14001 or EMAS).

Sustainable product design

The design, development and delivery of more sustainable products for our patients are key enablers of our environmental sustainability strategy. Our strategic priority to develop sustainable products for our patients covers a holistic review of the drug development life cycle, from early-stage research and product development and commercialization to the use and disposal of our products by patients and medical staff.

Environmental life cycle assessments (LCAs) provide the framework to first evaluate the environmental impacts associated with our products, processes and activities over their entire life cycle. Once evaluated, we apply circular-economy principles to identify and implement opportunities to reduce our impact. This ranges from the selection of raw materials and application of a more sustainable product design approach, through to the collection and recycling of products at end-of-life, where appropriate.