Sustainability

Healthcare is undergoing significant changes due to increasing disease burdens and constrained budgets, resulting in increased pressure on healthcare systems. Governments, patients and society at large are increasingly demanding that healthcare be made more accessible, equitable and sustainable for all.

Sustainability is an integral part of Roche's history and culture. Our innovative medicines and diagnostic solutions are designed to improve patient outcomes. Our commitment to sustainability underlines our commitment to our stakeholders and to future generations.

Our sustainability strategy builds on our core mission and sets clear priorities to create long-term social and financial value. We are committed to integrating sustainability into everything we do, focusing on three areas where we can have the greatest impact.

Sustainability is built into our business strategy and part of everyone’s job at Roche.

At Roche, we are deeply committed to sustainability and prioritize ethical practices in every aspect of our business. Our focus on sustainability is not only limited to our internal operations but extends to our entire supply chain. We expect our suppliers to adhere to the highest standards of environmental, social, and ethical responsibility, as outlined in our Supplier Code of Conduct. By working closely with suppliers who share our values, we aim to foster long-term partnerships that contribute to a healthier planet and create significant, positive impacts on society.

Sustainability Standards, as outlined in the Supplier Code of Conduct, list our expectations towards suppliers in the areas of ethics, human rights & labour, health & safety, environment and management systems.

As part of our commitment to advancing health and pharmaceutical supply chain standards, we proudly participate in both the SMI Health System Task Force and the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI). These collaborations bring together leading organizations and experts to address common challenges, drive innovation, and promote best practices. By working closely with our peers and industry partners, we strive to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and accountability in the global supply chain.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling organisations to set science-based emissions reduction targets. The SBTi is a partnership between Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi is the lead partner of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign – an urgent call to action from a global coalition of UN agencies, business and industry leaders, mobilising companies to set net zero science-based targets in line with a 1.5°C future.

In 2025, Roche's decarbonisation targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Roche is determined to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its own operations (Scope 1 and 2) and its value chain (Scope 3) by 2045. Achieving these targets will require significant actions from many of our suppliers, particularly in supply chain emissions.

Based on Roche’s commitment to SMI and SBTi, we expect our suppliers to implement the following minimum climate and sustainability targets. Please find more details about our expectations in our handout about Sustainability Supplier Engagement. In addition to the expectations above, all legally binding and local requirements and environmental regulations need to be fulfilled (e.g. Safety, Security, Health, Environmental Protection expectations).

At Roche, sustainability is integral to our ethos. We work closely with our suppliers to achieve our mission, "Doing Now What Patients Need Next," through sustainable practices. Our Supplier Code of Conduct sets clear expectations in ethics, human rights & labor, health & safety, environment, and management systems. Collaboration with suppliers is essential to enhancing these standards. We focus on environmental stewardship, greenhouse gas reduction, protecting vulnerable populations, advocating for diversity and inclusion, and increasing supply chain transparency.
Sustainable practices are integrated in every step of the Procurement lifecycle.

Supplier Selection

Selection based on financial, technical and sustainable criteria to collaborate with those suppliers that will generate most value for Roche.

Contracting

Supplier Code of Conduct as integral part of contracts, plus sustainability clauses (WIP) to ensure that suppliers comply with regulations and commit to support Roche's sustainability ambitions.

Supplier Onboarding

Due Diligence in supplier onboarding and periodically to get first-hand assurance about supplier's integrity, quality, suitability, credibility and commitment to sustainability.

Performance Management

Monitor supplier performance incl. sustainability and identify areas for improvement.

Supplier Engagement

A tailored programme enabling our suppliers to commit and to set science-based targets and subsequently reduce their carbon emissions.

Supplier Innovation

Identify opportunities for innovation for sustainability and sustainable solutions, also to increase suppliers’ share of renewables e.g. via Energize, access to green PPAs etc.

Category Strategy

Sustainability is built into the category Strategies of Procurement  to ensure responsible sourcing, minimize environmental impact, and foster long-term value creation