Neutralization of greenhouse gas emissions in the NC Group's Pharma Operations
ABOUT IT
This case presents a challenge considered a high priority for the NC Group, with significant social and environmental impacts: neutralizing greenhouse gas emissions in the production of medicines at the group's pharmaceutical units. The aim is to highlight an environmental initiative of excellence implemented in 2024, involving collaboration between different NC Group companies, including pharmaceutical operations and the renewable energy generation sector.
The initiative consists of a strategic action that has led to the decarbonization of the NC Group's pharmaceutical operations by offsetting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the years 2021 and 2022 using carbon credits. As a result, the production of medicines has become Net Zero Carbon. The group also plans to offset emissions for 2023, and the gas inventories for this period are currently being finalized.
The data on carbon emissions was obtained from the company's annual greenhouse gas emissions inventories. The carbon credits were provided by ADS Energias Renováveis, a renewable energy company belonging to the NC Group, created at the end of 2016, along with the acquisition of the Corredor do Senandes Wind Complex, located in the city of Rio Grande - RS. This project is a benchmark in sustainability, with 40 ECO 122 Alstom wind turbines and a total installed capacity of 108 MW, operating in the regulated energy market.
Since the start of its operations, ADS Energias Renováveis has been responsible for the emission of more than 1 million carbon credits through the generation of clean and renewable energy, in line with the NC Group's ESG/Sustainability principles. The sum of emissions in 2021 and 2022 represented 45,758.11 tons of CO2 equivalent. In order to neutralize each tonne of CO2 equivalent, one carbon credit is needed, making a total of 45,758.11 carbon credits for the neutralization to take place. This amount of credits was obtained through a transaction between NC Group companies, with ADS Energias Renováveis transferring the credits at the beginning of 2024, making it possible to offset emissions from pharmaceutical operations.
Results and Objectives
The operational and financial impacts of this initiative are associated with gaining visibility and competitiveness, as well as increasing the acceptance of their products by consumers who are increasingly aware of environmental preservation and the environmental consequences of their choices.
Another important positive impact is related to the increased perception of security for investors, as this initiative, together with others, demonstrates the company's credibility and good reputation with regard to the environment and combating climate change.
An important financial impact related to this initiative is based on the sale of surplus carbon credits, i.e. those generated by ADS Energias Renováveis and not used to offset the NC Group's emissions. In 2022, the group sold more than 949,868 credits, which represented a turnover of more than 16 million reais.
This initiative also has very positive social impacts for the Group, due to the development of the community around the installation of the renewable energy project, whether through the creation of jobs, the generation of income for landowners, improvements to access roads, improvements to schools in the region and the development of local suppliers and service providers.
This action should not be seen as a one-off initiative, but rather as another step in a process of building management excellence in ESG.
The NC Group currently has a reserve of carbon credits and these continue to be generated cyclically by the renewable energy business. In addition, the Gas Inventories are always kept up to date, which will make the offsetting of credits an ongoing agenda in the organization.
Through this initiative, the NC Group is consolidating its position as a company committed to preserving the environment and with solid ESG strategies in its industrial operations.
The neutralization of emissions from pharma operations has a significant positive impact, making the production of our medicines free of greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the sustainable development of our country.
The initiative presented is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the UN, helping to protect the environment and combat climate change. In this specific case, the initiative addresses SDGs 7 and 13.
SDGs
External Certification
International Commitments
National Commitments
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