Protecting the environment

73% of electricity consumed generated from renewable sources, surpassing our interim goal of 50% by 2021^1,2

We were one of the first medical device manufacturers to pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030¹ in all manufacturing and key distribution sites, and using the Boston Scientific Global Energy Management System (GEMS), we are on track to meet this goal. In 2021, Boston Scientific expanded our climate action goals by joining the United Nations Race to Zero and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign. By making this commitment, we build on our strong foundation and begin to establish ambitious science-based targets that will set us on a path toward net-zero carbon emissions across our entire value chain by 2050. 

As an important milestone in our journey to net-zero, our emission reduction targets have been approved by the SBTi. This makes Boston Scientific one of the first companies in the Healthcare Equipment and Supplies sector to have net-zero, science-based Scope 1, 2 and 3 targets verified under the SBTi Net-Zero Standard.  Through collaborations and partnerships with suppliers and customers we will work together to advance meaningful change for a healthier planet.

As we invest in protecting our business and customers from climate-related disruption, we incorporate climate risk into our modeling, planning and financial disclosures

Climate change presents risks to the world around us and our business. Natural disasters, extreme weather and other climate-related conditions could adversely affect our operations and supply chain, from the availability of materials to energy supply and transportation. To help identify and monitor the impacts of climate change, we use risk management software to map our sites against climate risk indices such as wildfire hazard, drought hazard, heat stress and sea-level rise.

Our 2021 Scope 1 and 2 emissions, inclusive of all manufacturing and key distribution sites only, were verified by an independent third party.

In 2021, we removed 219 metric tons of packaging from the waste stream, and diverted 33,292 products from landfill during development

Good product stewardship requires a concerted effort to minimize the health, safety, environmental and social impacts of our company’s products. We take this seriously and are examining the environmental footprint of our devices – from design, sourcing, production and distribution to waste disposal or recycling. We have made measurable progress with initiatives focused on packaging, labeling and device recycling and are focused on further reducing environmental impacts of our technologies throughout the entire product life cycle.