Abbott Releases 2016 Sustainability Report
Today, Abbott released its 2016 Global Sustainability Report, reinforcing its dedication to helping people live fuller, healthier lives around the world. The report details the company's global sustainability efforts and results, including its work to protect the environment, as more than 130 environmental projects in 2016 alone improved waste, water and energy efficiencies globally. These efforts also are delivering financial benefits to the business, with anticipated 2017 savings of more than 12 percent compared to the company’s 2016 environmental expenses.
But Abbott’s vision for a healthy planet doesn’t stop at its environmental initiatives. Other examples of its sustainability approach include:
- Shared value in strengthening local supply chains: In India, Abbott partners with up to 1,500 dairy farmers, providing training and resources to raise both their dairy output and quality standards. This builds a sustainable system that strengthens Abbott’s local dairy supply chain and empowers smallholder farmers to produce increased volumes of higher quality milk – which can help them build their small dairy farming businesses and communities.
- Tackling global malnutrition one rice bowl at a time: Abbott’s nutrition scientists worked with PATH, an international nonprofit organization, to improve its Ultra Rice formulation technology, which transforms a bowl of regular rice into a micronutrient-rich meal. Abbott helped make the Ultra Rice formulation more nutritious and reduced costs by approximately 10 percent, while optimizing flavor, aroma and appearance to mimic traditional rice. In India, the new formulation is now being distributed as part of a school lunch program for 450,000 children.
In recognition of this work and the company’s broader efforts to advance sustainability, Abbott was named the leading company in the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the fourth consecutive year in 2016. This marks the 12thconsecutive year DJSI recognized Abbott for sustainability leadership, with inclusion on both the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and North America Index. Abbott also achieved an A- on its CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) Climate Change score, placing the company in the “Leadership” Category.
Contact:
Susan Beverly
Senior Director, Sustainability
+1 224-668-9096
