Does the pharmaceutical industry contribute to climate change?

Results are led by a staggering piece of research from 2019 that states the global pharmaceutical industry is not only a significant contributor to global warming, but it also produces 13% more carbon emissions making medicines than car manufacturers do while assembling their vehicles – despite having a market that is …25 Aug 2021

How much does the pharmaceutical industry contribute to climate change?

In absolute terms in 2015 the pharmaceutical industry generated 52 million tons of CO2 whereas the automotive industry generated 46.4 million tons globally. They worked out the changes between 2012 and 2015 and also the changes relative to their overall emissions performance.

What impact does the pharmaceutical industry have on the environment?

Two recent studies reveal that the pharmaceutical industry is a momentous contributor to climate change and environmental pollution. According to an analysis by McMaster University, Big Pharma releases significantly more carbon emissions than the automotive industry; the difference in 2015 alone was a staggering 55%.

Is pharmaceutical industry polluting?

What is Pharmaceutical Pollution? … Pharmaceutical plants are often incapable of filtering out all the chemical compounds used in their manufacturing process and as such, the chemicals will seep into the surrounding freshwater systems and eventually into the oceans, lakes, streams, and rivers.

What is the carbon footprint of the pharmaceutical industry?

The total global emissions of the pharma sector amounts to about 52 megatonnes of CO2e in 2015, more than the 46.4 megatonnes of CO2e generated by the automotive sector in the same year. The value of the pharma market, however, is smaller than the automotive market.

Do pharmaceutical companies pollute the environment?

Two recent studies reveal that the pharmaceutical industry is a momentous contributor to climate change and environmental pollution. According to an analysis by McMaster University, Big Pharma releases significantly more carbon emissions than the automotive industry; the difference in 2015 alone was a staggering 55%.

What causes pharmaceutical pollution?

Finally, the GCOII notes that Pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, and their metabolites can enter the environment through a variety of pathways, including manufacturing sites, untreated wastewater from households and hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, and municipal waste streams, animal husbandry, sewage …

Is the pharmaceutical industry bad for the environment?

Two recent studies reveal that the pharmaceutical industry is a momentous contributor to climate change and environmental pollution. According to an analysis by McMaster University, Big Pharma releases significantly more carbon emissions than the automotive industry; the difference in 2015 alone was a staggering 55%.

How do pharmaceuticals get into the environment?

Pharmaceuticals get into the water supply via human excretion and by drugs being flushed down the toilet. You might think wastewater treatment plants would take care of the situation, but pharmaceuticals pass through water treatment.