Protecting the environment

When we challenge our impact on the environment, we advance ways to protect it.

Our commitment to improving the lives of patients calls for protecting the planet we all share. That means confronting climate change and challenging ourselves to meet ambitious environmental goals.

Group of six Boston Scientific employees walk down a beach while picking up trash.

Our priorities

Icon showing illustration of a cloud with down arrows coming out of it denoting lower amounts of carbon dioxide.

Reducing our environmental impact

We are pursuing net-zero commitments by cutting energy use, converting to renewable energy and compensating with credits and offset projects. These efforts and our work to minimize water usage and waste help reduce our environmental impact every year.

Icon showing illustration of a building with the earth inside.

Confronting climate risk

Our climate risk management initiatives align with the guidelines of the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and we use the results of quantitative and qualitative risk assessments to make decisions about resiliency investments across our global supply chain.

Icon showing illustration of a package being removed from the waste stream.

Enhancing product stewardship

We focus on minimizing the environmental impacts of our products and materials. Our product stewardship initiatives focus on reducing the environmental footprint of our devices at every life cycle stage.

2022 highlights

We continue to take action for a healthier world by reducing our environmental impact and working to mitigate material climate risks to the business.

SBTi approval

net-zero and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

76%

renewable electricity¹

¹ Purchased electricity matched with electricity from renewable sources, inclusive of all manufacturing and key distribution sites only.

Inside of the new Galway Ireland facility demonstrating the prioritization of energy efficiency in the upgrades.

Driving towards decarbonization in Ireland

Every year we make progress on our path to decarbonization. In 2021, we built on recent efficiency gains at our Galway, Ireland facility with an expansion of over 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space that is fully electrified and powered by renewable energy. Across three sites in Ireland, we expect to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2024.

The Galway expansion is part of a companywide strategy to move away from fossil fuel consumption to fully electrified heating systems incorporating energy efficient design and heat-pump technology. This electrification strategy is keeping us on course to meet or exceed 90% renewable energy (all sources) by 2027 and carbon neutrality by 2030.

"Our longstanding commitment to protecting the environment is rooted in the belief that we have a responsibility to improve the lives of patients. When we take action to protect the planet and confront climate change, we reduce our environmental impact, improve the sustainability of our supply chain, and help to mitigate climate risks to the business."

– Paul Donhauser, vice president, Global Facilities and Environment, Health and Safety

Net-zero graphic shows Boston Scientific’s journey from pledging in 2017 to achieve carbon neutrality, to today’s achievement of 76% renewable electricity4,5 and 40% renewable energy4, to SBTi-approved near- and long-term targets in 2030 and 2050. Boston Scientific has committed to net-zero emissions (scopes 1, 2 and 3) by 2050.

We were one of the first medical device manufacturers to pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 in all manufacturing and key distribution sites (scopes 1 and 2). 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.

As an important milestone in our journey to net-zero by 2050, our emission reduction targets were 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 approved 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 of July 29, 2022, the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) approved the Boston Scientific science-based net-zero target and near-and long-term emission reduction targets:

Overall Net-Zero Target

Boston Scientific Corporation commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050 from a 2019 base year.

Near-Term Targets

Multinational U.S. healthcare and equipment supplies company Boston Scientific Corporation commits to reduce absolute Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions 46.2% by 2030 from a 2019 base year. Boston Scientific Corporation also commits to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions from Purchased Goods & Services, Capital Goods, Fuel & Energy-Related Activities, Upstream transportation & Distribution, and Business travel GHG emissions 55% per USD value added within the same timeframe.

Long-Term Targets

Boston Scientific Corporation commits to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 97% per USD value added, equivalent to 90% absolute reduction, by 2050 from a 2019 base year. Boston Scientific Corporation also commits to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions 97% per USD value added within the same timeframe.