Clean Heat Program: Pharma Giants Join Forces to Decarbonise

Pharmaceutical companies Sanofi, UCB and Opella have joined AstraZeneca as founding members of the Clean Heat Program.

The initiative was established by supply chain intelligence network Secaro and global sustainability consultancy ERM.

It addresses the complex challenge of replacing fossil fuel-based industrial heating with low-carbon alternatives.

By uniting industry leaders, technical specialists and proven solutions, the programme provides a practical route for businesses to overcome key operational hurdles, including limited internal expertise, insufficient supply chain engagement and funding constraints.

Addressing decarbonisation challenges

The healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

In response to this challenge, an increasing number of healthcare businesses now recognise the urgent need to decarbonise manufacturing processes.

Transitioning to clean heating technologies represents a critical step towards reducing industrial emissions.

It allows organisations to cut carbon emissions while maintaining the rigorous quality, safety and reliability standards required in pharmaceutical production.

Industrial heat is often the largest remaining source of operational carbon emissions across manufacturing value chains.

Rather than expecting individual companies to tackle these difficulties alone, the Clean Heat Program lowers risk by bringing together peer collaboration, industry leaders and specialist technical support.

Giannis Kourousias, Global Procurement Head - Environmental Responsibility at Sanofi, says: “Heat has been one of the most challenging areas across the pharmaceutical value chain on the road to net zero, with high technical barriers, diverse supplier maturity and complex business cases.

“By partnering with our peers, we can jointly develop solutions that will unblock suppliers in this critical area by providing deep technical expertise, support focusing on the right things and facilitate funding options.”

Corporate net zero commitments

Each of the new members of the Clean Heat Program has established climate reduction targets, with all three having SBTi-validated targets.

Sanofi has committed to reducing its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 90% between 2019 and 2045 as part of its overarching net zero strategy.

UCB aims to cut absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 90% by 2045 compared to a 2019 baseline, while neutralising remaining carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

Opella targets an absolute emissions reduction of 58.8% by 2034 and 90% by 2050 from a 2023 baseline across Scopes 1, 2 and 3.

Marissa Saretsky, Chief Sustainability Officer at Opella, says: “Decarbonising industrial heat is an important challenge to tackle as part of our net zero ambition, and working on this with key partners is a must for developing lasting low-carbon solutions.

“At Opella, our Health³ strategy recognises the interconnected health of the planet, people and businesses.

“By partnering with Secaro, ERM and our fellow founding members, we are seizing all available opportunities to accelerate progress and help build a more sustainable, resilient healthcare system.” 

AstraZeneca previously joined the programme as a founding member in December 2025.

Partner network expansion

Secaro has expanded its global partner network to boost technical support for participating suppliers.

It has signed new agreements with Schneider Electric and climate solutions provider 3Degrees.

Schneider Electric’s advisory practice, SE Advisory Services, will offer suppliers energy studies, investment-grade audits, metering gap analysis and comprehensive energy management systems.

3Degrees brings specialised expertise in short- and long-term procurement of renewable natural gas and biomethane across European and US markets.

Mary Poddar, Director of Global Business Solutions at 3Degrees, tells Healthcare Digital: “Hard-to-abate emissions reduction requires moving past conventional approaches toward targeted strategies built on a clear read of the regulatory and voluntary landscape, paired with the market insight and access to the flexible instruments that turn ambition into claimable impact.

“We’re proud to support the Clean Heat Program, equipping suppliers with practical, claimable pathways to decarbonise, from biomethane procurement to comprehensive climate solutions.”