Climate Change & Energy Position Statement

Climate change is among the most pressing global challenges facing the world today, posing risks for humans and natural ecosystems. Our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and addressing climate change that threatens human health supports our mission at Baxter to save and sustain lives.

We acknowledge the scientific evidence presented by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concerning the need to limit global average temperature increase to avoid catastrophic effects of climate change.  Furthermore, we recognize that the risks and complexities of climate change are so significant that we must bring together the ingenuity and experience of all sectors of our society — private, public and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) — to address this issue in a constructive way. We can make significant progress in addressing climate change while sustaining economic growth when governments adopt reasonable policies, programs and transition strategies.

The response to climate change must be global, but also cost-effective and equitable, and allow for economic growth based on free-market principles. We recognize the importance of the United Nations designation of climate action and affordable and clean energy among its Sustainable Development Goals. We acknowledge that aggressive and creative approaches may be needed to adequately address this issue over the long-term.

Using energy effectively enhances business efficiency, conserves natural resources and improves environmental performance. Reducing fossil fuel combustion decreases GHG emissions, improves air quality and decreases fine particulates that contribute to adverse health effects.

Corporations can and should take concrete steps now to assess opportunities for emission reductions, to establish and meet emission-reduction objectives, and to invest in renewable-energy and alternative technologies, as well as new, more efficient products and practices.

We are committed to reducing the environmental footprint of our value chain – suppliers, manufacturing, logistics and products – through increased efficiency, resource conservation, responsible procurement and logistics, and product innovation.

We have committed to achieve carbon neutrality for our direct operations by 2040 and reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2030 from 2020 baseline, aligned with a well-below 2⁰ Celsius science-based target.

Climate change poses risk to a corporation’s business, supply chain, customers and communities. We are working to identify, manage and mitigate these risks as part of our global risk-management activities. In addition to addressing climate change by minimizing our carbon footprint with an aggressive GHG emissions reduction strategy, we are focused on protecting our stakeholders by building resiliency to climate change-related issues across our supply chain.

Countries must address energy needs of the future with thoughtful planning, considering the need for new energy-production facilities along with energy-conservation measures stimulated by financial incentives. Governments should invest in and use new energy technologies, especially those fueled with renewable resources, and should provide financial incentives for others to do so.

To learn more about our efforts to reduce GHG emissions and energy consumption, visit our Corporate Responsibility Report. In addition, visit CDP to read our climate-related disclosure.