On December 15, 2023, Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) proudly announced its recognition as one of the leading sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals index of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). Notably, Roche secured the third position, while Chugai Pharmaceuticals, a Roche Group member, claimed the second spot.
Expressing satisfaction, Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker remarked, “We are extremely proud that our deep commitment to sustainability in all our business practices has been recognised again.” He emphasized the significance of Roche and Chugai’s rankings, attributing the achievement to the innovative contributions made by the Roche Group to society and their ongoing commitment to embedding sustainable practices in strategy and culture.
Roche has maintained its top-tier ranking for 15 consecutive years, based on a thorough analysis of economic, social, and environmental performance. The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices serve as a benchmark for investors integrating sustainability considerations into their portfolios.
Sustainability at Roche is deeply ingrained, with a holistic approach encompassing societal contribution, environmental impact minimization, and economic investment in medical advancements. Roche’s major societal contribution lies in enhancing healthcare through innovative treatments, medical assays, digital solutions, and services.
Recognizing the collaborative nature of sustainability, Roche underscores the importance of partnering with stakeholders and engaging in open, constructive dialogue. This approach aims to generate value for society and achieve sustainable economic growth. Roche is committed to reducing overall environmental impacts, setting long-term goals, measuring environmental impact, and maintaining an end-to-end focus on products.
More information on Roche’s sustainability activities can be found at www.roche.com/sustainability.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) is a global ranking published annually by S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI), measuring the performance of the world’s sustainability leaders. Companies are selected based on a systematic Corporate Sustainability Assessment, considering long-term economic, environmental, and social criteria.
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, Roche has evolved into the world’s largest biotechnology company and a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company is dedicated to scientific excellence, aiming to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics to improve and save lives worldwide. Roche is recognized for its pioneering role in personalized healthcare and collaborates with stakeholders to transform healthcare delivery.
Roche’s commitment to sustainability in the pharmaceuticals industry has earned it a place in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the fifteenth consecutive year, reflecting its focus on pursuing a long-term perspective and improving global access to healthcare. Notably, Genentech in the United States is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, and Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.
A commitment to “phase-out” would have implied a complete shift away from fossil fuels until their use is entirely eliminated, whereas a “phase-down” agreement indicates a reduction in their use without an absolute end.
The success of the COP28 summit was widely seen as contingent on a deal to phase out all fossil fuels, a sentiment expressed by many, including 12-year-old climate activist Licypriya Kangujam. On Monday, she interrupted a presidency event with a sign reading “End fossil fuel. Save our planet and our future.”
Burning coal, oil, and gas is the largest contributor to climate change, responsible for over three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The Wednesday announcement followed criticism of a previous draft text that lacked language on ending the use of fossil fuels, revealing deep divisions among policymakers on the future of hydrocarbons.
The Monday proposal suggested various options for countries to accelerate climate action but crucially omitted language regarding a phase-out or phase-down of fossil fuels. Intensive negotiations ensued, with Wopke Hoekstra, EU commissioner for climate action, describing the talks as having “various phases of hope, sometimes also of despair.”
Alok Sharma, the U.K.’s COP26 president, emphasized on Tuesday that only a deal with “very clear” language on the phase-out of fossil fuels and a credible plan to achieve it would be deemed satisfactory to maintain the prospect of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This temperature threshold, established in the 2015 Paris Agreement, is crucial as it is recognized for preventing likely tipping points beyond this level.
Sharma warned of grave consequences if an agreement on this language was not reached, underscoring the significance of addressing the urgent climate crisis.
