Let’s clear
the air

YES

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The climate crisis is a health crisis

At Chiesi, we believe in Action over Words, a phrase that underpins our unwavering commitment to combatting climate change through clear goals and dedicated efforts. This website outlines our efforts and transparent progress reducing our emissions while protecting patient health. Here, you can explore the steps we are taking to achieve these goals.

How is air quality affecting you?

Climate & Health

Climate change is exacerbating
respiratory diseases

Lower air quality is one of the unfortunate consequences of climate change; impacted over decades by increasing carbon emissions, rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events¹. Outdoor air pollution, exacerbated by climate change, causes 4.2 million premature deaths annually². At Chiesi, we’re committed to taking decisive action to protect patients and planet health. The time to act is now and our teams are already implementing steps to make a meaningful difference.

Bringing patient and expert perspectives into focus

38 %

of people in poor air quality areas report worsened lung conditions outdoors³

38 %

of people in areas with poor air quality report that heatwaves/extreme weather exacerbates symptoms⁴

People with respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable in areas of poor air quality – yet inhalers that help treat their symptoms still release a small amount of greenhouse gases that contribute to environmental issues such as air quality.

The increasing number of heatwaves and increased pollen load - both generally associated with climate change - are already having a notable negative impact on people living with lung conditions⁵

Economist Impact, with Chiesi’s support, has published two studies on air quality and health using surveys, expert interviews, an advisory board, and desktop research; the two publications together provide an in-depth overview of the issues involved and the perspectives of patients and experts on the ground.

Climate & Chiesi

Sustainability means accountability.

At Chiesi, we strive to uphold our promises to patients, society, and the environment as we grow. We align our actions as a company with our mission and vision and are committed to transparent and accurate yearly reporting, knowing that without accountability and impact measurement, sustainability means very little.

Patient centricity is at the core of our commitment

That’s why our teams are dedicated to creating innovative solutions that ensure patients have the tools they need to deal with their conditions. Informed by our understanding of the experiences of patients, as well as the critical need to improve the carbon footprint of our treatment, our team developed the carbon-minimal inhaler platform which will deliver inhalers with equal safety, efficacy, and usability, but minimize the carbon emissions generated. This will enable a seamless transition for patients and benefits for the planet⁶.

Chiesi is committed to partnering with its supply chain to reduce carbon emissions from the healthcare sector

We aim to reduce GHG emissions in our value chain by encouraging our partners and suppliers to lower their carbon footprints, aiding Chiesi’s climate goals. We share sustainability information and support on emission reduction strategies. As a Benefit Corporation, we promote interdependence, collaborating with partners to align with regulatory frameworks in our operating countries and enhancing support for those affected by diseases, ensuring progress through collaboration and co-creation.

Words in action

Reaching net zero by 2035

Chiesi is committed to taking action across its areas of impact; as a leading producer of pMDI inhalers, an employer, and as a global partner we prioritize climate-friendly solutions to reduce emissions and protect our planet’s health. To this end, we are committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2035⁷, 15 years ahead of the Paris Agreement's 2050 target

Inhaler emission reduction

Going even further to reduce the emissions associated with the use of our inhalers, we have introduced a dedicated system in our Italian and French manufacturing sites that allows us to capture excess propellant released during production phases and prevent emissions generated in the pMDI manufacturing process⁸. To us, it’s about working across the whole product cycle in a way that maintains patient health.

References

[1] https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-pollution-and-childrens-health/air-pollution-and-childrens-health/#fn1

[2] World Health Organization, “Pollutants not only severely impact health, but also the earth’s climate and ecosystems globally”,

[3] Economist Impact, “Cleaner air, clearer lungs, better lives. Exploring the intersection of air quality, health inequalities and lung health”, 2023

[4] Economist Impact, “Cleaner air, clearer lungs, better lives. Exploring the intersection of air quality, health inequalities and lung health”, 2023

[5] Economist Impact, “Cleaner air, clearer lungs, better lives. Exploring the intersection of air quality, health inequalities and lung health”, 2023

Healthcare for a healthy planet

We appreciate the trust placed in us to protect health, ensure access to information, and provide access to care. That’s why we are constantly innovating and collaborating with our partners to create new ways to support climate-conscious healthcare while protecting patient choices.

Definition:
Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns⁹. Although climate change can be natural, human actions have unequivocally warmed that climate at an unprecedented rate for more than 250 years¹⁰ . With the effects of climate change, respiratory health has been exasperated¹¹.

Sustainable Development Goals

Chiesi is dedicated to supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which promote peace, prosperity, and justice for everyone. Of the 17 SDGs, Chiesi is focusing on 9 that closely align with the mission and values across our teams, and in particular SDG 3¹².

Carbon minimal inhaler project

We are reformulating our pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs) using a low global warming potential propellant, reducing the carbon footprint by up to 90% compared to the current products. These inhalers will maintain comparable safety, efficacy, and usability of the current ones, while minimizing carbon emissions for a seamless patient transition and environmental benefit.

Code of Interdependence

Chiesi’s Code of Interdependence, created in 2019, sets out shared principles for all suppliers to promote a sustainable and inclusive business model. As a Benefit Corporation, Chiesi continually advances sustainability, gender equality, and supports suppliers in these efforts¹³.

Chiesi commitment: Renewable energy

In 2023, a 99% of total electricity consumed by Chiesi at global level derived from renewable sources. Chiesi is committed to reaching 100% renewable electricity consumption by 2025 in all Chiesi sites¹⁴.

Industry commitment

The healthcare industry is a significant contributor to climate change. On a global average basis, healthcare systems account for over 4% of global carbon emissions--more than the aviation or shipping sectors. This needs to change and we want to help drive it¹⁵.

References

[6] Clinical Trials.Gov. Comparison Between CHF5993 pMDI 200/6/12,5mg HFA-152a VS CHF5993 pMDI 200/6/12,5mg HFA-134a in Subjects With Asthma (Trecos) (TRECOS). Available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06264674?term=HFC%20152a%20&cond=asthma&rank=14. Last accessed July 2024.

[7] www.chiesi.uk.com/img/news/aILSv9oO6J_chiesi-cn-project—consumer-and-trade-press-release.pdf

[8] 2022 Annual and sustainability report, https://www.chiesi.com/en/about-us/annual-report-and-csr/

News

In the links below you can find the latest news from Chiesi including updates on our climate, sustainability, and respiratory health activities, in addition to our latest relevant reports and publications.

Our Commitment to Patient and Planetary Health: Chiesi Case Study by Alliance for Clean Air

Video: Lung Health Inequality: Patient perspectives on the impact of climate change on respiratory wellbeing

Infographic: Climate Change Threatens Respiratory Patients’ Quality of Life Stretching Beyond Physical Health to Overall Well-Being

References

[9] https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change

[10] Masson-Delmotte V, Zhai P, Pirani A, et al., eds. Climate change 2021: the physical science basis. Contribution of working group I to the sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2021. doi: 10.1017/9781009157896

[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10365076/

[12] https://www.chiesi.com/en/sustainability/chiesis-sustainability/

[13] https://www.chiesi.com/documenti/30_code-of-interdependence.pdf

[14] 2022 Annual and sustainability report, https://www.chiesi.com/en/about-us/annual-report-and-csr/

[15] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/10/cop27-how-healthcare-can-reduce-carbon-footprint/

Let’s clear the air

Tap the particles to explore

The climate crisis is a health crisis

How is air quality affecting you?

Climate & Health

Climate change is exacerbatingrespiratory diseases

Bringing patient and expert perspectives into focus

of people in poor air quality areas report worsened lung conditions outdoors3

of people in areas with poor air quality report that heatwaves/extreme weather exacerbates symptoms4

The increasing number of heatwaves and increased pollen load - both generally associated with climate change - are already having a notable negative impact on people living with lung conditions5

Climate & Chiesi

Sustainability means accountability.

Patient centricity is at the core of our commitment

Chiesi is committed to partnering with its supply chain to reduce carbon emissions from the healthcare sector

Words in action

Reaching net zero by 2035

Inhaler emission reduction

Healthcare for a healthy planet

Definition:Climate Change

Sustainable Development Goals

Carbon minimal inhaler project

Code of Interdependence

Chiesi commitment: Renewable energy

Industry commitment

News

Our Commitment to Patient and Planetary Health: Chiesi Case Study by Alliance for Clean Air

Video: Lung Health Inequality: Patient perspectives on the impact of climate change on respiratory wellbeing

Infographic: Climate Change Threatens Respiratory Patients’ Quality of Life Stretching Beyond Physical Health to Overall Well-Being

Thiss is why Chiesi calls on the industry to make bold pledges that invite accountability and transparency towards meeting climate goals.

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Let’s clear
the air

Climate change is exacerbating
respiratory diseases

of people in poor air quality areas report worsened lung conditions outdoors³

of people in areas with poor air quality report that heatwaves/extreme weather exacerbates symptoms⁴

The increasing number of heatwaves and increased pollen load - both generally associated with climate change - are already having a notable negative impact on people living with lung conditions⁵

Definition:
Climate Change