LogiPharma Europe 2025: Three Ways to Turn Sustainability Pledges Into Progress

PC: How can stakeholders ensure that sustainability takes precedence, even over other important business drivers?

Ganguly: There are three key takeaways from the panel—and from observing how the sustainability movement has evolved.

First, it's important to share practical proof points. In the early stages, we saw a lot of pledges, but now it’s time to translate those pledges into action and outcomes. I describe this as the shift from “pledge to promise.” Demonstrating how sustainability efforts lead to positive business results is critical.

Second, be patient. We often expect immediate results, like flipping a light switch. But sustainability is a long-term objective, and it requires perspective and perseverance.

Third, embed sustainability into everyday business processes. Rather than treating it as a one-off transformation project, integrate it into your operating model. Success is more likely when it becomes part of your standard way of working.

Full Interview Summary: The panel discussion on sustainability emphasized shifting the focus from compliance to making sustainability a business imperative. The panelists shared their experiences where sustainability initiatives have driven operational efficiencies, influenced supplier partnerships, and enabled early access to supplier innovation. The key takeaway was viewing sustainability as an investment in both the planet and the future of the business, rather than just a cost-driven concern. This shift in perspective has made sustainability an integral part of operations, to the point where acting unsustainably no longer makes sense.

To get more companies on board, the panel suggested three key strategies: first, providing proof points to show the business benefits of sustainability, transitioning from pledges to tangible results; second, being patient and understanding that sustainability is a long-term goal that requires persistence; and third, embedding sustainability into everyday business processes rather than treating it as a large-scale transformation project.

Looking ahead, the next five to ten years are expected to be marked by unprecedented collaboration between competitors, recognizing that sustainability is a collective challenge. The integration of AI with sustainability efforts is also seen as a major opportunity to innovate and accelerate progress toward net-zero goals.

Gilead, specifically, has made notable strides in sustainability, focusing on product, water, waste, and carbon goals. Their commitment to reducing Scope 1 emissions by 46% ahead of schedule demonstrates the importance of integrating sustainability into business processes.

Finally, AI’s role in sustainability is a key area of interest, particularly in how it can be standardized for the common good, contributing to goals like reducing consumption and waste.