A smiling Boston Scientific volunteer holds two plants in front of the camera.

Healthier planet

We confront climate change and protect the environment to enable people to live healthier lives. 

Why it matters

When we take action to reduce our carbon footprint and invest in efforts to build a sustainable, resilient business, we bring value to our customers, patients and communities.

Our priorities

Our path to net zero

We are taking actions and making investments across our entire value chain to reduce our carbon footprint and address climate change.

Product stewardship

Through life cycle assessments, material improvements and supplier collaboration we strive to minimise the environmental impacts of our products.

Addressing water, waste and biodiversity

By measuring waste and water use, setting goals and integrating sustainable practices, we work to minimise our operational impact and support a healthy ecosystem. 

Managing climate risk

We conduct regular qualitative and quantitative risk assessments, and use the results to make decisions that are better for the environment and our global supply chain.

2023 highlights

82%

renewable electricity1,2

72%

real estate independently certified for energy efficiency3

77%

of our solid, non-hazardous waste from all manufacturing and key distribution sites was recycled1

1 Inclusive of all manufacturing and key distribution sites only.

2 Includes renewable electricity generated on-site and purchased electricity matched with electricity from renewable sources.

3 Percentage of all Boston Scientific real estate (including commercial, leased and owned) that is independently certified for energy efficiency by industry-leading bodies such as LEED for design and Energy Star or ISO 50001:2018 for building operations.

Stories of impact

Aerial photograph shows a large solar power plant supplying renewable energy near Seville.

PATH TO NET ZERO

First European virtual power purchase agreement sparks progress toward net-zero goals

The start of our 10-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) in Europe marks a meaningful step in the company’s progress toward our goal to achieve carbon neutrality across manufacturing and key distribution sites by 2030. Operationalised in 2023, electricity from a newly constructed solar power plant near Seville, Spain will flow to the European power grid, matching approximately 80% of our European electricity consumption.

Find out more about our VPPA
A row of heat pumps installed for energy efficiency is pictured against a blue sky.

PATH TO NET ZERO

Zero-gas transition completed in Kerkrade

In 2022, our Kerkrade team in the Netherlands began the conversion to a zero-gas facility, installing heat pumps that are far more energy-efficient than fossil fuel-fired or electric-resistance boilers. In 2023, we completed the transition by integrated this heat pump technology across the campus.

Read more about our path toward net zero

Our path to net zero

In 2022, Boston Scientific was first in the Healthcare Equipment and Supplies sector to gain approval from Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for our target of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. We focus on making measurable, meaningful advances by reducing and reporting on our full scopes 1 and 2 footprint, and scope 3 emissions from our broader value chain. Our SBTi-approved targets for net-zero GHG emissions encompass scopes 1, 2 and 3.

A triangle graphic shows the progress from the beginning of the Boston Scientific climate journey in 2017 into the future.

Key environmental sustainability initiatives

Logo for the Science Based Targets initiative.

As of July 29, 2022, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approved the Boston Scientific science-based net-zero target and near- and long-term emission reduction targets:

Overall Net-Zero Target

Boston Scientific Corporation commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050 from a 2019 base year.

Near-Term Targets

Multinational U.S. healthcare and equipment supplies company Boston Scientific Corporation commits to reduce absolute Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions 46.2% by 2030 from a 2019 base year. Boston Scientific Corporation also commits to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions from Purchased Goods & Services, Capital Goods, Fuel & Energy-Related Activities, Upstream transportation & Distribution, and Business travel GHG emissions 55% per USD value added within the same timeframe.

Long-Term Targets

Boston Scientific Corporation commits to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 97% per USD value added, equivalent to 90% absolute reduction, by 2050 from a 2019 base year. Boston Scientific Corporation also commits to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions 97% per USD value added within the same timeframe.

In 2017, we became one of the first medical device manufacturers to pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 in all of our manufacturing and key distribution sites. This steady progress has been driven by our Global Energy Management System and our C3 strategy, which guides priorities and programs in the following areas:

  • Cut energy use – by investing in energy efficiency at our existing sites and new construction that meets the highest climate standards.
  • Convert – to renewable energy sources instead of relying on fossil fuels.
  • Compensate – with carbon credits and offset projects for remaining unavoidable emissions.

Learn more about our C3 strategy

Our Global Packaging and Labeling Sustainability team uses data to evaluate sustainable packaging materials, guide and quantify packaging sustainability improvements and support sustainable suppliers.

Our Global Packaging and Labeling Sustainability strategy focuses on:

  • Reducing the amount of material in packaging
  • Redesigning packaging for sustainability and supply chain efficiency
  • Improving recyclability of all packaging and using recycled content where possible
  • Responsibly sourcing packaging materials in collaboration with suppliers
  • Monitoring regulatory developments and advocating for sustainable packaging requirements

We have set a goal to reduce our scope 3 GHG emissions by 55% per U.S. dollar (USD) value added by 20301. Collaborating with suppliers across our global supply chain is key to understanding and implementing sustainability initiatives that can have the most impact across our global supply chain.

We approach supplier engagement with a focus on the following:

  • Identify top 80% of suppliers by emissions
  • Share sustainability best practices and assist in setting and reporting progress on targets
  • Pursue all abatement/reduction levers, including renewable energy, discussion of hotspot opportunities

1. Boston Scientific is committed to reducing Scope 3 GHG emissions intensity from Purchased Goods & Services, Capital Goods, Fuel & Energy-Related Activities, Upstream transportation & Distribution, and Business travel by 55% per USD value added by 2030 from a 2019 base year. Our GHG emissions intensity is calculated as units of carbon equivalent emitted per unit of gross profit.

Ideal product flow

Our end-to-end ideal product flow initiative is focused on driving more efficiency and sustainability in how our products are sourced, manufactured, packaged and distributed. This focus strengthens the efficiency of our value chain, reducing our freight carbon impact by several thousand tonnes annually.

Learn more about this initiative
Three benefits of ideal product flow include optimized shipping, streamlined product instructions and targeted sterilization.
A woman wearing protective goggles and a hair covering looks into a microscope.

UK carbon reduction plan

In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) aims to become the world’s first net-zero national health service, which requires significant collaboration with its suppliers. Our carbon reduction plan explains how we plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions for our operations in the UK.*

Download plan

*Emissions relevant to Boston Scientific Limited

Read more about how we're contributing to a healthier planet

View 2023 Performance Report