ABPI launches pharma carbon footprint tool

In association with the Carbon Trust, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has launched a spreadsheet-based tool that allows UK companies to estimate the carbon footprint of medicines.

"The development of this tool forms part of the ABPI's commitment to help its members to identify carbon hot-spots for products and areas for potential carbon footprint reduction. These may include raw materials manufacture, selection of materials and transport."

Stephen Whitehead, Chief Executive, ABPI

The model for the tool includes data on the carbon emissions from the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), transport and distribution, formulation and packaging and retail.

"It adds real value to the body of evidence emerging around the carbon footprinting of pharmaceutical products which account for approximately 20 per cent of the NHS carbon footprint. This tool should be useful to manufacturers, commissioners and providers to start highlighting carbon hotspots and to target work to reduce emissions further."

Sonia Roschnik, head of the NHS Sustainable Development Unit

It is hoped that the tool will help pharmaceutical companies to understand the embodied carbon of different drugs.