WORLDWIDE CONTACT US ABOUT US INVENTING FOR LIFE PRODUCTS RESEARCH LICENSING NEWSROOM CAREERS INVESTORS Home WE CAN GROW OUR BUSINESS WHILE PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF OUR PLANET by Danielle Menture, vice president, Global Safety and the Environment In September 2015, the 193 Member States of the United Nations came together to create a plan for achieving a better future for all. Their goal is an ambitious one — they want to help end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. This proposal is called “Agenda 2030” and is comprised of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which clearly define how to help create a better world. Fulfilling these SDGs will take an unprecedented effort, and for business they represent an opportunity to benefit society while growing and sustaining our business. At Merck, we have set a 10-year strategy to determine critical business enablers related to climate and the environment. As the vice president of Global Safety and the Environment here at Merck, I'm focused on guiding Merck on four SDGs: Clean Water & Sanitation; Affordable & Clean Energy; Responsible Consumption & Production, and, the focus of this perspective, Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. In the future, customers will require us to identify new approaches from a climate action perspective, in some cases to help them meet their own sustainability goals. In that context, many eyes are watching our water use, waste reduction, and resource consumption. We have the resources and ability to be a global leader on climate action, and we’re using science and technology to: Increase the reuse of materials and develop innovative single-use technology to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfills. Engage with advocacy groups, ratings organizations, suppliers and investors to report against our environmental sustainability goals. Engage our employees through Energy Treasure Hunts, where small teams can find ways to improve our energy efficiency. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. To cite one example, Merck has earned recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Program for 13 consecutive years because of our long-term performance and our commitment to improvement. We’re measured not just by the medicines we make, but also by how much good we do in the world. By committing to taking action on climate change, we can grow our business and ensure our continued position as a global leader. Environmental Sustainability A healthy planet is essential to human health and the sustainability of our business. Learn more. Environmental Sustainability Goals We have established a new set of environmental sustainability goals that help position our company to succeed in an increasingly resource-constrained world. Learn more. Corporate Responsibility Learn more about how our company is taking action in support of the SDGs. Explore more of our ideas and initiatives Published April 2018 Copyright. © 2009-2018 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map