Climate change poses a direct threat to respiratory health by increasing the potential for allergen exposure. For example, climate change can extend pollen seasons and/or alter the distribution and abundance of allergenic plants. As a company focused on improving the lives of individuals with allergies, we recognize our responsibility to contribute to a healthier planet. Thus, we are committed to mitigating climate change in a manner that safeguards both the environment and people with allergies.
Environment
Climate change
In order to reach our goal of 42% CO2 reduction by 2030, a number decarbonization levers are either planned or underway:
Pollution
Controlling chemicals used in the cultivation, purification and production of our medicines constitutes a crucial aspect of our operational framework.
Water
We work continuously to reduce our water usage, despite increasing our production and will be integrating water risk planning across our sites to effectively mitigate future water-related impacts and risks.
Biodiversity and Ecosystems
A majority of our allergen source materials are cultivated at our farm in Post Falls, Idaho, USA. Here, systemic sustainable agricultural practices are implemented to minimize our impact on nature.
Resource use and circular economy
We strive to ensure that our resource inflows prioritise efficiency and renewability. For example, our facility in Madrid has replaced plastic foam with recycled paper for filling empty volumes in product shipping boxes to avoid approx. 300 kg/year of plastic.
Recognizing the impact of packaging materials, we are dedicated to minimizing waste of our product packaging. For example, since 2022, our allergy immunotherapy drop, OSIRIS has been packaged with biodegradable cardboard instead of plastic.
Read more about this initiative in our 2022 sustainability report
At ALK, we prioritize the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste, and promote responsible disposal practices where waste cannot be recovered.