Pharmaceutical portfolio decarbonisation and net zero action plan

Challenge

A leading global pharmaceutical company set an ambitious target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and Net Zero soon thereafter. At the same time, the business was expanding its manufacturing footprint across multiple international sites, significantly increasing energy demand.

The client faced a complex challenge: how to decarbonise operations at pace while supporting business growth and maintaining secure, reliable energy supply. Success would require a coordinated approach that balanced sustainability ambitions, operational resilience, and long-term investment planning across diverse regional markets, including France.

Solution

SLR designed and delivered a portfolio-wide decarbonisation programme spanning six manufacturing sites across four countries, establishing a consistent framework for decision-making while recognising local market conditions and regulatory requirements.

Strategic pathway development

We developed a standardised methodology to identify the most technically and economically effective decarbonisation pathway for each site, aligned with corporate Net Zero commitments, energy security requirements, and existing investment programmes.

Advanced energy modelling and scenario analysis through digital twins

Through detailed techno-economic assessments, enabled by building digital twins of each site, we evaluated energy efficiency opportunities, emerging low-carbon technologies, future energy market scenarios, and commercial contracting and financing options. This enabled the client to make informed, future-ready investment decisions while retaining flexibility as markets evolve.

Stakeholder alignment and change management

We engaged stakeholders across global and local functions, from engineering, energy procurement and site planning teams through to executive leadership. This established a governance framework that supported effective decision-making, investment prioritisation, and long-term organisational alignment.

Impact

• Delivered a decarbonisation programme across six manufacturing sites in four countries, including France, a strategically important market within the client's European operations.
• Created a clear link between the client's global Net Zero strategy and practical, site-level implementation.
• Enabled more effective capital allocation through portfolio-wide investment steering and technology standardisation.
• Reduced programme complexity and transformation costs through a consistent cross-site approach.
• Accelerated implementation of site-specific decarbonisation initiatives while maintaining energy security and operational resilience.
• Provided a scalable framework that can be replicated across the client's wider global manufacturing network.

By combining strategic portfolio oversight with local market expertise, SLR helped the client turn ambitious climate commitments into a practical, investment-ready roadmap for decarbonisation across Europe.