New research from British Standards Institution shows that nine out of ten drug manufacturers in the UK and G7 nations see climate‑related disruption to their supply chains rising in the near term.
The study sampled senior executives from a cross‑section of large and mid‑sized firms operating in the UK and the broader G7 economies, providing a representative view of industry sentiment.
Survey reveals industry priorities
The BSI 2026 G7 “temperature check” reports that 87 % of respondents anticipate more frequent interruptions linked to climate factors, while 84 % say keeping momentum on net‑zero goals is vital for their operations.
Almost all participants—96 %—remain pledged to meet national net‑zero targets, and more than a third plan to boost related spending within the next year.
Concern about future costs and resilience is widespread; 88 % of leaders fear the financial impact of inadequate preparation, and 78 % label their net‑zero programmes as essential for business stability.
Leaders anticipate that insufficient preparation could drive up operational expenses, from higher insurance premiums to the need for costly alternative sourcing strategies.
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Economic risk calculations also tilt toward action: 82 % believe the downside of not transitioning outweighs the expense of taking steps now.
Political shifts appear less likely to derail commitments, with 71 % stating their net-zero commitments would continue regardless of political conditions, and 83 % citing customer demand as a strong motivator.
Standardizing impact measurement
BSI points to a need for uniform metrics to gauge the environmental footprint of medicines throughout their life cycle. Its PAS 2090 specification, released at the end of 2025, offers a methodology for life‑cycle assessments covering everything from raw‑material sourcing to disposal.
The specification details required data‑collection methods, impact categories such as energy use and waste generation, and standardized reporting formats that enable side‑by-side comparison of product footprints.
The guideline aims to give manufacturers and health‑care providers a consistent basis for reporting and decision‑making, helping them spot ways to lessen the ecological burden of pharmaceutical products.
“Rather than treating sustainability as a standalone objective, many now see climate action as essential to protecting future business resilience,” said Courtney Soulsby, Healthcare Development Director at BSI.
