--- title: Decarbonization actions in the pharmaceutical industry description: Learn how the pharma industry is tackling decarbonization challenges and implementing sustainable measures to reduce emissions and improve efficiency. image: https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Decarbonization_Site%20Banner_1.jpg --- [![Logo PQE Group - azzurro - 2024](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20PQE%20Group%20-%20azzurro%20-%202024.png?width=2000&height=721&name=Logo%20PQE%20Group%20-%20azzurro%20-%202024.png "Logo PQE Group - azzurro - 2024")](https://www2.pqegroup.com) - [Home](https://www2.pqegroup.com/) - [Industry](https://www2.pqegroup.com/industry/) - [Pharma & API](https://www2.pqegroup.com/pharma-api/) - [Medical Device](https://www2.pqegroup.com/medical-device/) - [Biotech](https://www2.pqegroup.com/biotech/) - [Startup](https://www2.pqegroup.com/startup/) - [Veterinary](https://www2.pqegroup.com/veterinary/) - [Services](https://www2.pqegroup.com/services/) - [Data Integrity](https://www2.pqegroup.com/data-integrity/) - [Digital Governance](https://www2.pqegroup.com/digital-governance/) - [Engineering](https://www2.pqegroup.com/engineering/) - [Commissioning, Qualification and Validation (CQV)](https://www2.pqegroup.com/commissioning-qualification-validation/) - [Quality Compliance](https://www2.pqegroup.com/quality-compliance/) - [Laboratory Excellence](https://www2.pqegroup.com/laboratory-excellence/) - [Regulatory Affairs](https://www2.pqegroup.com/regulatory-affairs/) - [Audits](https://www2.pqegroup.com/audits/) - [Training](https://www2.pqegroup.com/training/) - [Clinical Research](https://www2.pqegroup.com/clinical-research-services/) - [Pharmacovigilance](https://www2.pqegroup.com/pharmacovigilance/) - About - [About Us](https://www2.pqegroup.com/about/) - [ESG](https://www2.pqegroup.com/about/csr/) - [Women in STEM](https://www2.pqegroup.com/about/women-in-stem/) - Resources - [News & Press](https://www2.pqegroup.com/news/) - [Webinars](https://www2.pqegroup.com/webinars/) - [Blog](https://blog.pqegroup.com/) - [Careers](https://www2.pqegroup.com/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www2.pqegroup.com/contact-us/) ![PQE Group](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/PQE%20Group%20logo%202024%20white%20background.png) PQE Group by PQE Group & Techniconsult Group # **Decarbonization actions in the pharmaceutical industry** [Engineering](https://blog.pqegroup.com/tag/engineering) **Decarbonization** is one of the most **challenging targets** of the present century: the effect of anthropic actions on **greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions** is apparent as much as the consequent **impact on climate change and extreme weather.**  The problem complexity is enormous as **GHG emissions** are **linked to almost every activity related to a company:** production processes, services, business travels, commuting and all supply chain activities. Considering this, the GHG protocol introduced the concept of “scope” to classify the **kind of emissions**:  - Scope 1: direct emissions.  - Scope 2: indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity.  - Scope 3: other indirect emissions.  ![90%](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/90%25.png?width=150&height=150&name=90%25.png)In the **pharmaceutical sector**, regardless of the company size, **scope 3 emissions** account for **more than 90%** of the total. However, it is challenging to act directly on that category. Conversely, effective solutions are feasible for reducing scope 1 and scope 2 emissions. In light of this, decarbonization seems an unsolvable issue, and it would be true if the scope 3 value did not depend on the emissions, for example, of supply chains and transport companies. Indeed, **actions for lowering scope 1 and scope 2 emissions produce a domino effect on the scope 3 class** of the connected organizations. In other words, a reduction in direct emissions for a company generates a positive effect even on its stakeholders by lowering the related indirect emissions. Without considering energy efficiency improvement actions since they will be examined in the next topic, **decarbonization** is a matter of **clean production of consumed energy**. In this frame, **onsite renewable energy** plants are the first option though the power density and the capacity factor of PV modules and wind turbines do not enable the complete fossil fuel replacement.   Therefore, **this action** shall be **combined** with the purchase of **clean energy and**, possibly, **clean fuels**. The former is a widespread practice, while the latter is limited due to the scarcity of renewable fuels on the market, like bio-methane or green hydrogen, and consequently their high costs.  As a consequence, in the present phase of the energy transition, an **effective strategy concerns** the **electrification of energy uses** even though it may lead to debatable solutions, like the extensive use of technology based on the Joule effect. Indeed, electrification **is not an alternative to energy efficiency**, they **are** rather **complementary**.   The principles above were applied to the **case study** we are going to talk about in the following: the decarbonization measures adopted for a **green-field project related to a sterile drugs facility**.   In particular, the **implemented actions** can be **divided into** two groups: **pure decarbonization measures**, which are the focus of the present article, **and** decarbonization measures performed by **improving the plant energy efficiency**. As mentioned above, the latter are shown in the next topic.   The **first measure** concerns a (more than) **85 kWp PV plant** on the facility rooftop **to reduce the purchase electricity amount.** Although it contributes only to 2% of the total energy, its **positive impact** shall not be underestimated in terms of both **decarbonization and** **economic savings**.  **Focusing on the energy uses**, and in particular on those related to the **productive process**, the generation of **Water For Injection (WFI)** was analyzed in-depth. Such utility is usually produced through a distillation process which needs steam and then fossil fuels. On the other hand, the technology is extremely reliable due to the process’ simplicity.   **Some alternatives** are available on the market and enable the partial or complete replacement of steam with electricity. The best trade-off between environmental performance and reliability was identified in reverse osmosis combined with electro-deionization and thermo-compression. Such a measure enables a natural gas reduction by 30% for the production of WFI, while electricity consumption increases just by 3%.   ![70%+5%](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/70%25+5%25.png?width=280&height=120&name=70%25+5%25.png)The total impact of all the decarbonization measures leads to a **GHG emission reduction equal to 70% for scope 1 and 5% for scope 2**, without considering purchased clean energy.   In this frame, it is worth underlining that the considered client is extremely sensitive to sustainability themes. Indeed, purchased energy is fully produced by certified renewable energy sources by contract.   Therefore, scope 2 emissions that account for 10 times those concerning scope 1 are offset. [Learn more on how to obtain a sustainable facility.](https://focus.pqegroup.com/sustainable-design-pharma-impactful-strategies-pqegroup-techniconsultgroup) ![Decarbonization_Site Banner_1](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Decarbonization_Site%20Banner_1.jpg?width=2000&name=Decarbonization_Site%20Banner_1.jpg) ## Optimize your Facility Take the first step in ensuring your plant project meets all your business objectives and regulatory requirements. **[Contact us](https://www2.pqegroup.com/contact-us/)** today to assess the feasibility of your facility design and by using our **three key principles** of project optimization in terms of **cost**, **time** and **quality**. [Get started](https://www2.pqegroup.com/engineering-construction/) #### More on this topic [Engineering ![Circular Strategies in the Life Science Industry](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Copertins%20EP5_1-1.jpg)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/circular-strategies-in-the-life-science-industry) 07 Jun 2024 ## [Circular Strategies in the Life Science Industry Explore circular strategies in the life science industry to optimize resource use, reduce waste, and mitigate environmental impact.](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/circular-strategies-in-the-life-science-industry) [Engineering ![Preserving Natural Resources in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Strategies for Responsible Utilization](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/EP4_Site%20Banner%20(1)-1.jpg)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/preserving-natural-resources-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry-strategies-for-responsible-utilization) 21 May 2024 ## [Preserving Natural Resources in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Strategies for Responsible Utilization Learn how the pharmaceutical industry can preserve natural resources through water conservation strategies and efficiency.](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/preserving-natural-resources-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry-strategies-for-responsible-utilization) [Engineering ![Towards a Greener Pharmaceutical Industry: Energy Efficiency](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Energy%20Efficiency%20blog%20banner.png)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/energy-efficiency) 19 Apr 2024 ## [Towards a Greener Pharmaceutical Industry: Energy Efficiency Discover how the pharmaceutical industry can achieve energy efficiency through innovative strategies, leading to reduced consumption and decarbonization.](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/energy-efficiency) ![new PQE logo white tagline](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/new%20PQE%20logo%20white%20tagline.png) ISO 9001 Certified compliance services provider since 1998.   ![Logo ISO 9001](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20ISO%209001.png?width=125&name=Logo%20ISO%209001.png)   - Discover PQE - [Work with PQE](https://www2.pqegroup.com/careers/) - [Locations](https://www2.pqegroup.com/contact-us/#locations) - [About](https://www2.pqegroup.com/about/) - [Blog](https://blog.pqegroup.com/) - Useful Links - [Privacy Notice](https://www2.pqegroup.com/privacy-notice/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www2.pqegroup.com/cookie-policy/) - [Model of Organization](https://www2.pqegroup.com/model-of-organization/) - [Ethical Code](https://www2.pqegroup.com/ethical-code/) English - [English](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/decarbonization-actions-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry) - [Deutsch](https://blog.pqegroup.com/de/ingenieurwesen/dekarbonisierungsmaßnahmen-in-der-pharmaindustrie) - [Español - España](https://blog.pqegroup.com/es-es/ingenieria/acciones-de-descarbonizacion-en-la-industria-farmaceutica) - [Español - México](https://blog.pqegroup.com/es-mx/ingenieria/acciones-de-descarbonizacion-en-la-industria-farmaceutica) - [Français](https://blog.pqegroup.com/fr/engineering/les-actions-de-decarbonisation-dans-l-industrie-pharmaceutique) - [Português - Brasil](https://blog.pqegroup.com/pt-br/engineering/accoes-de-descarbonizacao-na-industria-farmaceutica) - [עברית](https://blog.pqegroup.com/he/engineering/decarbonization-actions-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry) - [日本語](https://blog.pqegroup.com/ja/engineering/decarbonization-actions-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry) - [简体中文](https://blog.pqegroup.com/zh-cn/engineering/decarbonization-actions-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry) CHANGE LANGUAGE Copyright **2024** | Proudly powered by **PQE Group Creative Team** [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pqe-group) [![twitter](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/twitter-w.png) Twitter](https://twitter.com/PQEGroup) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PQEGroup/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lifeatpqe) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/PQEGroup) [Xing](https://www.xing.com/pages/pqegroup)