Blog: Sustainability in Pharma: Why Now, Why You, and Why It’s Good for Business

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s quickly becoming a commercial, regulatory, and reputational must for companies across the pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chain.

But while many businesses know they should be doing something, the truth is… most don’t know where to start.

In our recent M3 Global Research webinar, we sat down with Arjun Anand, Group Sustainability Manager, to unpack what sustainability really means for our industry — and how companies of all sizes (including virtual agencies) can take practical, impactful steps.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re serious about keeping pace with clients, regulators, and evolving expectations.

Key Takeaways

1. ESG isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a business framework

You’ve probably seen the term ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) appear in client RFPs, procurement policies, or industry news. But ESG is more than a trending acronym — it’s a way to measure the long-term sustainability and ethical impact of your business practices.

For pharma suppliers, that means:

• Reviewing your carbon footprint and energy use (Environmental)
• Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (Social)
• Ensuring transparency, ethics and compliance (Governance)

2. Don’t know your SBTi from your CSRD? You’re not alone.

Sustainability jargon can feel like alphabet soup. So here’s a quick guide to the most relevant acronyms from the webinar:

• ESG: Environmental, Social and Governance (the main corporate framework)
• SBTi: Science-Based Targets initiative: A global body validating emission reduction goals based on climate science
• CSRD: Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive: A new EU regulation requiring large companies (and indirectly, their suppliers) to report on ESG activities
• EcoVadis: A leading platform for assessing sustainability across global supply chains, often used by pharma companies

The takeaway? These are more than buzzwords — they’re frameworks driving real business decisions, especially in procurement and partnerships.

3. Yes, you can reduce emissions — even if you’re a virtual agency

A common misconception is that sustainability only applies to manufacturers or logistics-heavy companies. But as Arjun pointed out, every business consumes resources, even digital ones.

Think data storage, cloud computing, electricity used in remote working setups — it all counts.

Small steps that can make a big impact:

• Switch to green data hosting providers
• Audit your team’s energy usage
• Choose partners and suppliers with their own ESG goals
• Track emissions using carbon accounting tools

Even modest operational changes can reduce your environmental footprint and show clients you're taking action.

4. Sustainability is actually good for business

Let’s bust a myth: sustainability isn't just a cost — it’s a competitive advantage.

Here's how:

• Cost savings from energy-efficient practices and digital infrastructure
• Faster procurement approvals if your ESG credentials align with pharma clients
• Improved reputation in a market increasingly focused on ethics and transparency
• Future-proofing your operations against upcoming regulatory change

5. You don’t have to do it alone

It’s easy to feel like you need to have all the answers — but sustainability is a shared journey, not a solo mission.

There are great tools and consultants out there who can help. But more importantly, you already have a team that can contribute across every department:

• Marketing: Communicate authentically (and avoid greenwashing)
• Operations: Find efficiency gains
• Finance: Model the ROI of sustainable changes
• HR: Support DEI initiatives and internal education

Final Thought

If you're part of the pharmaceutical and healthcare ecosystem, sustainability is your responsibility — and your opportunity. Whether you're an established supplier or a small, virtual agency, the best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is now.