The Group climate targets are ambitious: by 2020 we will have reduced our global CO2 emissions – both direct and indirect – by 20% from 2006 levels. To make sure of it, we’re integrating initiatives into all our activities that will minimize energy consumption, emissions and waste while improving performance. These initiatives range from simple things like turning off unnecessary lights and using recycled paper for most printing to buying green energy from renewable sources and upgrading the heating and cooling systems at major sites.
As of mid-2009, 28 of our 54 production sites had achieved ISO 14001 international environmental management standard or its equivalent.
To achieve our 2020 targets, we’re focusing on 15 sites that together account for 80% of our total global emissions. In doing so, we’re building on experience. In 2002, we set out to reduce our direct CO2 emission by 10% by 2010. We reached this target ahead of schedule, partly because increasingly of energy-efficient production processes.
Many of the technologies we work on lower power consumption. And we’re unstinting in our efforts to make them even more effective.
Our eco-friendly solutions for the solar industry promote the use of renewable energy. Our expertise makes it possible for desalination plants to operate more efficiently in arid regions. Our innovative organic light diodes are key in helping to permanently lower power consumption. Our liquid crystals increase the energy efficiency of displays by significantly reducing the amount of backlighting needed. While our novel electrolyte mixtures, at the heart of modern lithium-ion batteries, are revolutionizing electric drive technology in cars.
We want to be a force for good right across the world. For example, when the devastating earthquake hit Indonesia in September 2009 claiming more than 1000 lives, our operation in Indonesia donated medicines, cash and vitamins. We also helped rebuild the homes of employees who live in the affected area.
In addition, we’re donating the drug Cesol® 600 to the World Health Organization in the framework of the Merck-Praziquantel Donation Program. Our commitment between 2007 and 2017 will run to 200 million tablets with a value of about US$ 80 million. And we’re tackling the scourge of the counterfeit medicines endangering the lives of people in developing countries by sponsoring the GPHF Minilab® which has been deployed in more than 70 countries to check the authenticity of medicines, quickly and cost-efficiently.
We also contribute our time, skills and resources to help the local communities we operate within, actively support local charities, often through our employees, and work with universities to share our knowledge. In 2008 we invested nearly € 8 million – around 1.4% of our profits before tax – in corporate citizen projects that involved many of our people.
Around the world, approximately 40,000 people work for Merck. And we want to offer them a globally uniform, transparent and motivating environment. The results of our regularly conducted global employee survey shows we’re on track.
In 2010 the renowned journal ‘Science’ confirmed we’re succeeding in our efforts. It ranked Merck Serono among the world’s top 25 employers in the life science industry (
PDF). Merck Serono received particularly high scores in three categories: social responsibility, employee loyalty, and alignment of work and personal values.
