Supplies & Scope 3: This Week's Top 5 Stories in Healthcare

1. Lives & Money: How Climate Change Impacts Health

A report from The Lancet shows that climate change is causing growth in heat-related deaths, harm to lives and trillians of dollars in financial losses

The acceleration of climate-related health impacts is worsening, with heat-related deaths rising by 63% since the 1990s, according to The Lancet.

The medical journal's 2025 Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, developed in partnership with the World Health Organisation, reveals the extent of the mounting toll on global health systems and economies.

Labour capacity reduction due to heat exposure led to more than US$1tn in global potential income losses. 

The report “paints a stark picture”, says Adam Elman, Director of Sustainability EMEA at Google, on LinkedIn.

“Despite the clear and escalating crisis, we see worrying backsliding. However, the report highlights that progress is possible and yields immediate benefits!”

2. The Renewables Drive Helping Merck Smash its Climate Goals

A new 20-year Power Purchase Agreement between Merck and SK Innovation E&S will deliver 16 MW of renewable power to South Korean life science facilities

Merck, the German life sciences and electronics giant, has signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with SK Innovation E&S to supply 16 megawatts of renewable electricity capacity to its life science manufacturing sites in Daejeon and Songdo, South Korea.

The agreement represents the company's longest renewable energy commitment in the Asia-Pacific region and is scheduled to become operational in December 2027.

Once active, the PPA will deliver approximately 21,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, covering around 75% of the electricity demand for Merck's life science operations in South Korea.

German life sciences and electronics powerhouse Merck has entered into a two-decade Power Purchase Agreement with SK Innovation E&S that will provide 16 megawatts of clean electricity capacity for its life science production facilities located in Daejeon and Songdo, South Korea.

The deal marks the firm's most extended renewable energy contract in the Asia-Pacific area and is set to go live in December 2027.

When operational, the arrangement will provide roughly 21,000 megawatt-hours of power each year, meeting approximately 75% of the power requirements for Merck's South Korean life science activities.

3. How Novo Nordisk & Maersk are Partnering for Sustainability

Novo Nordisk and Maersk have joined forces in a bid to deliver reliable pharma logistics and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across supply chains

Many companies are transitioning toward more sustainable operations, though some fear this could compromise efficiency.

In pharmaceutical logistics, organisations must deliver life-saving treatments swiftly while maintaining both quality and sustainability.

That’s why Novo Nordisk and Maersk have joined forces to make pharmaceutical logistics not only greener but also more efficient.

Both partners are committed to cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Novo Nordisk has set 2030 and 2045 targets to reduce GHG emissions across its operations and transport, while Maersk is working toward net zero GHG emissions by 2040.

It is also investing in lower-emission fuels that offer at least a 65% lifecycle reduction compared to conventional fossil fuels, recognising collaboration across the supply chain as essential to success.

4. Haleon's Supplier Hub for Sustainable Supply Chains

Haleon's supplier hub offers partners practical tools to support their sustainability journey and help decarbonise the company's full value chain

Haleon has launched a new supplier hub, a digital platform created to help its suppliers advance their sustainability efforts.

The initiative is part of Haleon’s strategy to meet its own environmental targets while encouraging its partners to adopt similar goals. By offering access to shared resources, Haleon is addressing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, which could ensure decarbonisation across its full value chain.

Haleon is a British pharmaceutical company and a prominent consumer healthcare business globally.

With brands available across 170 countries, Haleon aims to improve everyday healthcare for consumers. Its portfolio includes brands such as Sensodyne, Panadol and Advil. Haleon was formed in 2022 following the merger of divisions from GSK, Novartis and Pfizer.

While Haleon itself is a relatively new entity, some of its brands have been on the market for over 170 years. The business operates with a focus on responsible practices, which include addressing environmental and social barriers that can impede access to quality healthcare.

5. How Is Novo Nordisk Cutting Its Scope 3 Emissions?

Novo Nordisk has launched its 'Suppliers for Zero' programme to tackle Scope 3 emissions, with Vice President Dorethe Nielsen calling for collaboration

Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk has launched a new environmental sustainability programme aimed at its extensive network of suppliers, manufacturers and contractors. The initiative is a core component of its strategy to meet climate and nature objectives by 2045.

The programme, named 'Suppliers for Zero', is a direct response. Approximately 95% of Novo Nordisk's total environmental impact is generated from Scope 3 emissions, which are those that occur outside a company's immediate operational control.

Dorethe Nielsen, Vice President at Novo Nordisk, says: "With more than 95% of our environmental impact coming from our supply chain, working closely with our suppliers and CMOs is essential."

The 'Suppliers for Zero' programme is structured around three core environmental pillars: climate action that includes greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, nature protection covering land use and water management and plastic reduction with a focus on material circularity and packaging.

Instead of enforcing a rigid set of requirements across its entire supply base, Novo Nordisk is fostering a collaborative environment.

The programme is designed to engage with partners that are ready and willing to align with Novo Nordisk's environmental goals.