At Almirall, we view sustainability as a commitment to creating economic, social, and environmental value for our stakeholders, so that we may make a significant impact and contribute to the development of a healthy society. Sustainability is anchored at the core of our corporate strategy and it is critical to deliver on our purpose to improve patients’ lives. Our approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) helps us move forward in our purpose.

Our ESG updated plan for 2021-2023 includes 15 initiatives that will contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With this plan we aim to:

• Promote sustainable development, through the efficient management of natural resources and the protection of the environment.
• Lead and empower our employees to grow and develop their potential, supporting patients and society considering the social needs.
• Act with integrity while working to create true innovation ensuring compliance with the highest standards.
• Be valued by what we do and how we do it, being accountable and open to all our stakeholders.

The supervision and coordination of all business activity related to ESG and sustainability fall under the auspices of Almirall's CEO, with supervision from the Audit Commission. The CEO proposes the strategic lines and corporate plans regarding ESG, establishes the necessary management and control measures, and reviews programmes and initiatives. The operational functions are delegated to the ESG Committee, created in 2020.

The ESG Committee meets on a quarterly basis to manage and lead the periodical action plans, programs, relevant projects and initiatives related to the ESG strategy approved by the Board of Directors. It has the following responsibilities:

• Propose the ESG strategy and program of the Company to be submitted by the CEO to the Board of Directors and push it into the organization.
• Maintain and foster an inventory of ongoing and finished CSR and ESG initiatives, ensuring its impact internally and externally.
• Endorse key initiatives across functions and follow them up to ensure delivery.
• Support the CSR and ESG internal and external communication plans.
• Ensure that the increasing requirements of Sustainability, CSR and ESG audits and reporting from different stakeholders (authorities, partners, voluntary schemes, etc.) are met.

The 2030 Agenda

The United Nations 2030 Agenda provided a path to progress, setting out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets with the aim of transforming our global development model by 2030. At Almirall, we want to play our part in meeting these Goals and we are members of the UN Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative to implement universal sustainability principles. Almirall supports the mission of the UN Global Compact to mobilise a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders to create the world we want.

We have conducted an in-depth analysis of the goals and targets that we can make the most productive contribution to. We evaluate our contribution to the SDGs by connecting them to our KPIs, targets and future strategic direction.
 

Our Contribution to the SDGs

While we acknowledge that our business impacts all 17 SDGs to varying degrees, we have prioritised those where our contribution is most significant and where Almirall has the greatest capacity for impact and action. Aligned with our Noble Purpose, Good Health and wellbeing (SDG 3) is at the heart of our purpose. We have also identified SDG 5, 8, 9, 13, 16 and 17 as priority goals and areas of work.

Our ambition is reflected in our Sustainability Policy and is developed in the ESG Plan, which sets the roadmap to follow in accordance with the four main pillars, which enable us to address global challenges. This vision cascades down into initiative and goals for 2030, against which we measure our progress.
 

METRICS AND KPIs

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At Almirall, we have a strong commitment to ESG and take pride in having it recognized by some of the world’s most relevant sustainability ratings. 

	In 2023, Almirall received an ESG Risk Rating of 17.2 and was assessed by Sustainalytics to be at low risk of experiencing material financial impacts from ESG factors. This is a significant improvement from last year, reducing by 20% our ESG Risk Rating. In addition, Almirall was amongst the top 4% of companies within the pharmaceuticals industry rated by Sustainalytics.
	Our performance in the fight against climate change has also been recognised by the CDP Climate Change index. In 2022, Almirall achieved an A- rating in Leadership. Compared to the previous year, the rating has improved by one tier from B in 2021. Since 2014, Almirall has been reporting its performance on climate-related aspects to CDP, which evaluates how companies are incorporating climate change into their business strategy, the ambition level of targets set and which management and mitigating actions are being implemented in relation to climate-related risks and opportunities.
	Almirall obtained a score of 84/100 in the Sustainability and ESG evaluation carried out by EcoVadis in 2023, obtaining a Platinum Medal, being amongst the top 1% of the companies evaluated. This is a clear recognition of the effort that Almirall has been making for years in terms of Sustainability and ESG, and which is currently articulated through our ESG Strategy and Program.
	Almirall has formally joined the United Nations Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative and has formally endorsed its commitment to a responsible development model in alignment with the principles and objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
	As a member of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI), we support its principles with respect to responsible supply chain management in the areas of ethics, labour, health and safety, the environment and related management systems. We also take these principles into account when we select and evaluate our suppliers.
	Almirall has been recognized by the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in the GOLD category for its Headquarters in Barcelona. The LEED voluntary certification system, developed and awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the most widely used sustainable building rating system in the world.

 

Other recognitions 

Almirall’s environmental and energy management systems are certified according to the international standard ISO14001:2015 and ISO 50001:2018 respectively. This demanding certification covers our activities in R&D, the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and manufacture & wholesale of pharmaceutical products.  

The company nurtures a safe work environment and it has a pioneering company in obtaining the certification of its occupational health and safety system according to the new ISO 45001:2018 standard (which replaces the previous OHSAS 18001:2007, for which it has held certification since 2007). This certification is currently held by Almirall’s operating centres in both Spain and in Germany.