Introduction to ESG in Pharma

In the dynamic pharmaceutical sector, where innovation and regulatory compliance have long been the pillars of success, a new disruptive force is emerging: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. ESG has progressed from a business buzzword to a regulatory requirement in many areas of the world, including Canada and the European Union (EU) (Brightest, 2025). The pharmaceutical business, which is notorious for its large environmental footprint, complicated supply chains, and sensitive social ramifications, is under increasing pressure to align its operations with global ESG standards. This article investigates the worldwide ESG norms and regulations that shape the pharmaceutical environment, as well as providing a case study to demonstrate their practical use.

What Are ESG Regulations?

ESG laws concentrate on three major components:

● Environmental (E): Waste management, carbon footprint, energy use, and influence on biodiversity.

● Social (S): Worker rights, health and safety, community involvement, and fair access to medications.

● Governance (G): Board diversity, anti-corruption policies, transparency, and ethical supplier management.

Countries and regions throughout the world, notably the European Union, Canada, the USA, and parts of Asia, are establishing formal ESG reporting requirements. These laws now oblige pharmaceutical firms to disclose not just their financial success, but also how they operate ethically and sustainably. Overall, ESG reporting requirements are becoming increasingly formalized across these regions, driven by growing concerns about climate change, sustainability, and corporate governance (López-Toro, 2021).

Global ESG Compliance: A Shifting Regulatory Landscape

European Union (EU)

The EU sets the standard via its Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU Taxonomy Regulation, which require big corporations (including pharmaceutical companies) to report sustainability risks and their impact on people and the environment (EP, 2022). Additionally, the Green Deal and the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability have a direct impact on pharmaceutical production and disposal methods (ECHA, 2020).

Canada

Canada is advancing its sustainability agenda through frameworks like the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, S.C. 2021, c. 22, and initiatives led by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), which are developing climate-related disclosure requirements aligned with international standards such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) (Bijoux, 2021).

United States

In 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed regulations requiring public firms to report climate-related risks, emissions, and governance measures.  However, with the start of the second Trump administration, which began on January 20, 2025, the SEC is likely to turn significantly away from ESG and toward Crypto, putting Canada at the forefront of ESG regulation in North America (Breheny, 2025).

Asia-Pacific

Countries such as Japan and South Korea are developing ESG disclosure rules using frameworks such as the TCFD and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) (IFRS, 2023).  Meanwhile, China is implementing harsher environmental rules on several production industries, including medicines (Choi, 2025).

Global Reporting Standards

Organizations such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) offer standardized ESG frameworks that pharmaceutical companies are increasingly using to align with investor expectations and legal mandates (SASB, 2020).

ESG Impact Areas in Pharmaceuticals

1. Environmental Compliance

Pharmaceutical production frequently uses toxic chemicals and energy-intensive methods.  Companies are increasingly under regulatory pressure to decrease emissions, handle wastewater responsibly, and implement circular economy ideas.

2. Social Responsibility

Access to medicine, fair healthcare collaborations, and ethical clinical trials are all critical social concerns in pharma ESG.  Companies must show a commitment to affordability, fair labor standards, and diversity in their global health efforts.

3. Governance Excellence

Pharmaceutical businesses are required to prevent corruption, guarantee supply chain traceability, and establish ethical board governance as they face increased scrutiny for transparency and ethics.

Case Study: AstraZeneca – ESG in Action

Background
AstraZeneca, a prominent biopharmaceutical business, exemplifies effective ESG leadership.  AstraZeneca's unique medications are available in over 125 countries and utilized by millions of patients globally (AstraZeneca, 2025).  Its ESG approach is incorporated at all levels of the organization, harmonizing with both global requirements and internal sustainability goals.

Environmental Commitment
AstraZeneca established the Ambition Zero Carbon program, which aims to eliminate carbon emissions from its worldwide operations by 2025 and the whole value chain by 2030. In accordance with EU taxonomy laws and the Science Based Targets program (SBTi), the firm invested in green manufacturing facilities, renewable energy, and climate-smart logistics (SBTI, n.d.).

Social Impact
The company's Healthy Heart Africa and Young Health Programmes demonstrate its long-standing commitment to social equality (Cheng, 2023).  These activities are aligned with the UN SDGs by focusing on marginalized groups and raising awareness about chronic diseases (UN, 2015). AstraZeneca's responsible marketing and fair pricing practices also help satisfy expectations of access to vital medications.

Governance Standards
AstraZeneca has an independent board, strong anti-bribery procedures, and comprehensive disclosure processes.  It publishes ESG measures under a variety of standards, including the GRI, SASB, and, previously, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), meeting multi-jurisdictional reporting requirements (AstraZeneca, n.d.).

Impact and Recognition
In 2023, AstraZeneca was ranked in the top 5% of the DOW Jones Sustainability Index, and Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) rated them AA in the ESG Ratings assessment (AstraZeneca, 2024). Beyond praises, the practical advantage has been stakeholder trust, which is critical during global rollouts such as the COVID-19 vaccination.

Challenges in ESG Implementation

Despite advances, many pharmaceutical businesses confront substantial challenges in ESG compliance:

● Data Collection and Reporting: Collecting trustworthy data across large multinational companies is challenging..

● Supply Chain Complexity: Tracking ESG compliance among third-party manufacturers, particularly in low-income countries, involves risk.

● Balancing Profit and Purpose: ESG measures can need upfront investment, putting organizations under pressure to maintain competitive margins.

● Regulatory Fragmentation: Companies must manage varied regulations by location since there is no one worldwide ESG framework.

The Future of ESG in Pharma

Looking ahead, ESG will no longer be optional.  Stakeholder demands—investors, regulators, patients, and staff alike—are forcing pharmaceutical businesses to integrate ESG into their operations.  Future trends include:

● AI-Powered ESG Analytics: Tools that monitor pollution, water use, and labor rights breaches in real time.

● Mandatory Carbon Disclosures: Especially since scope 3 emissions (those in the supply chain) are under regulatory investigation.

● Green Chemistry Mandates: Governments may require the use of biodegradable excipients and environmentally friendly synthesis procedures.

● Investor-Driven Performance Metrics: ESG will impact access to finance markets and insurance terms.

Conclusion

As the pharmaceutical sector deals with climate change, global health fairness, and governance requirements, ESG principles are no longer just moral imperatives; they are now legal and financial obligations. ESG compliance is transforming medicine discovery, manufacturing, and distribution in response to global rules and stakeholder expectations. Companies that actively embrace these changes will be well-positioned to lead in a more sustainable, egalitarian, and transparent future.

AstraZeneca's path demonstrates that it is feasible to align business with mission.  As ESG legislation becomes more internationally standardized, pharmaceutical businesses must not only adapt, but also lead the charge—because responsibility in pharma extends beyond goods to people and the environment.

Sources

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About the Author

David Orchard-Webb, Ph.D., is a technical writer with broad interests including health & technology writing, plus extensive training and knowledge of biomedicine and microbiology. My Ph.D. and postdoc were in oncology and developing cancer medicines. I provide technical medical and other writing services for projects ranging from “knowledge automation” to pure pharma, to food safety, to the history of science, and everything in between. I also provide white papers, ebooks, meta-analysis reviews, editing, consulting, business, and market research-related activities in biomedicine, technology, and health. In addition to its well-known role in the development of medicines, I am a big believer in biotechnology’s ability to revolutionize industries such as food-tech, agtech, textiles & fashion.