In this article, we will summarize key targets, updates, and findings from the 2024 ESG Action Report and what they mean for AbbVie’s role in the healthcare ecosystem. 

Environmental

As a global leader in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, AbbVie’s scale, impact, and geographic footprint present both an opportunity and a responsibility to address challenges that affect the health of the planet and population by reducing the environmental impact of our operations. These efforts encompass four broad categories:

• Improving energy efficiency
• Reducing water use
• Managing waste/packaging
• Progressing towards science-based targets

In 2024, AbbVie achieved considerable progress in meeting our long-term environmental targets. We exceeded our goal of reducing absolute total hazardous and non-hazardous waste by 20% between 2015 and 2025, reaching a 21.7% reduction in 2024. We have also achieved a 16.9% reduction in absolute water withdrawal in the same period, nearing our 2025 target of 20%. 

AbbVie’s Environmental Management System is supported by a series of Environmental Health & Safety policy standards that align with the following international standards: 

• ISO 14001 – Used by organizations to improve environmental performance related to waste reduction and pollution; achieved at 43% of AbbVie sites in 2024
• ISO 50001 – Aims to encourage more efficient energy use; achieved at 43% of sites in 2024
• ISO 45001 – Provides a framework for implementing and continually improving occupational health and safety management systems; achieved at 48% of sites in 2024

In addition to internal risk assessment and management initiatives, AbbVie’s operations are also checked through an independent risk-based audit program. 

Climate action 

Climate change will likely impact our business in the short-, medium-, and long-term, both through the logistical disruptions caused by increasingly frequent and severe weather events as well as their effects on human health. We are thus committed to continually assessing climate risks and accounting for its potential impact on policy, the global market, and our own operations. 

Some relevant highlights of our decarbonization plan include:

• Energy efficiency – We project that our centralized Capital Expenditures fund for energy efficiency initiatives across the organization will reduce our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 7% by 2030. Since 2021, these projects have achieved a 4.5% reduction in emissions. 
• Renewable energy – AbbVie aims to increase active sourcing of renewable electricity to 100% by 2030. Since 2021, sourcing of renewable electricity has reduced our Scope 2 GHG emissions by 10%. 
• Physical footprint – By assessing our global real estate footprint and optimizing manufacturing capabilities and sites, we have already exceeded our 10-15% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions projected for 2030, achieving a 20% reduction since 2021. 

Resources and nature

Environmental stewardship is a cornerstone of sustainable operations. AbbVie has directed efforts in responsible water and waste management, protection of natural environments, and other areas to minimize our impact on natural resources and ecosystems. 

The growing impact of water scarcity worldwide has made it imperative to assess and mitigate risk associated with AbbVie’s operations. Between 2015 and 2024, we have successfully reduced our absolute water withdrawal by nearly 20%, from 34.66 to 28.85 million cubic meters. In addition to yearly evaluation of site-specific water risks, we have established water efficiency and management programs at facilities identified at high-risk. For example, a 2024 initiative at our Barceloneta, Puerto Rico site’s wastewater treatment plant enhanced the quality of effluent water to enable further optimization of the reverse osmosis system used to recycle water. Doing so decreased electricity consumption at the site by roughly 2,000 MWh and reduced well water withdrawal by 136,000 cubic meters. 

Minimizing the impact of pharmaceutical waste on the environment is an additional key focus. We have achieved a 25% reduction in absolute total hazardous and non-hazardous waste since 2015 and aim to reach a target of zero waste to landfill by 2035. Innovative waste management initiatives are part of this focus. A new pilot-scale wastewater treatment system at our Singapore manufacturing site enables the removal of organic waste from hazardous aqueous waste, allowing discharge as process wastewater. Implementation of a commercial unit at the site in 2024 resulted in a >70% reduction in hazardous aqueous waste. In addition to waste management and green chemistry efforts that mitigate the effects of manufacturing waste, AbbVie is also dedicated to supporting patients with information on safe disposal of medication and recycling of packaging.

Social 

In accordance with our healthcare mission, AbbVie is committed to a “people-first” approach that maximizes positive patient impact, fosters a strong organizational culture, and supports meaningful change in communities worldwide. 

Positively impacting patients

AbbVie’s drive to discover and deliver life-changing therapies for patients worldwide is guided by insights from patients, patient advocacy groups, clinicians, and caregivers. Realizing this goal also depends on our ability to provide a consistent supply of safe, effective products, making product quality paramount. 

Quality Risk Management (QRM) is a fundamental component of maintaining product quality and safety. QRM is a systematic approach to analyzing potential hazards and applying appropriate mitigation strategies across the product lifecycle, with the ultimate aim of protecting patients. AbbVie’s integrated QRM strategy focuses on two primary principles: evaluating risk to quality based on scientific knowledge and patient safety and applying the QRM process at a risk-appropriate level of effort, formality, and documentation. One key element of QRM at AbbVie is our Contamination Control Team, which provides technical support across our network of sites and external suppliers to mitigate risks of cross-contamination, microbial contamination, or extraneous matter. 

In 2024, AbbVie sites and affiliates received 95 inspections from regulatory authorities and notified bodies around the world, including two successful FDA pre-approval inspections. AbbVie’s global Quality and Compliance Excellence team helped several sites prepare for regulatory inspections through investigation writing training, corrective and preventive action reviews, and mock inspections. The global functional audit team conducted 27 internal audits during the year, providing insights into the robustness of our quality system, as well as opportunities to strengthen processes ahead of regulatory inspections.

Investing in our people

AbbVie takes a holistic approach to managing our people, emphasizing professional and leadership development, sustainable talent practices, and employee well-being while maintaining a culture that unleashes each individual’s full potential. We support an inclusive work environment fueled by a commitment to attracting, recruiting, and retaining top talent. Our global workforce represents a spectrum of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. 

Some key highlights: 

• Our Board of Directors is comprised of 36% women and 21% ethnically or racially diverse individuals
• Women occupy 44% of Executive and Board positions, 51% of Director positions, and 54% of Manager positions
• 3% of U.S. employees have disabilities and 2% identify as veterans

AbbVie prioritizes employee development as a key contributor to our business performance. More than 70% of employees have established a development goal supported by an individual training plan. We supplement this approach with company-wide training opportunities and differentiated investments in key talent. In 2024, we evaluated and enhanced our development programs with new offerings on situational leadership and building business acumen. 

Protecting AbbVie employees through comprehensive safety programs is a cornerstone of investing in our people. Our current Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) model of care involves an external occupational health care provider, while operational oversight comes through policies, procedures, and safety training for all employees. This has contributed to a strong safety record: in 2024, we achieved a Recordable Incident Rate of 0.13 and a Lost Time Injury Rate of 0.04 per 200,000 hours worked, a respective 27.8% and 42.9% improvement over the previous year. Importantly, we also reported 0 work-related employee or contractor fatalities. Ongoing training and oversight efforts actively contribute to continuing this momentum into the future. 

Community engagement 

In accordance with our mission to make a positive impact on health and wellbeing worldwide, the AbbVie Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, works to empower transformative change in communities through strategic partnerships with local organizations. 

Our highlighted 2024 initiatives included: 

• The launch of a three-year partnership with CommunityHealth to create two new microsite clinics serving marginalized communities in Chicago
• A five-year partnership with Partners in Health to test community-centered care models in underserved communities across five states
• The launch of the AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator, a collaborative initiative that identifies U.S. nonprofits advancing health equity and supports them with grants, mentorship, and other resources
• A $75 million donation to the University of Chicago Medicine to support construction of the AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion, due to open in 2027

AbbVie also supports employee volunteering and giving efforts to maximize impact, including our annual global community service program, Week of Possibilities. In 2024, more than 13,000 AbbVie employees in nearly 60 countries and territories volunteered more than 47,000 hours of service. Additionally, more than 20,000 employees raised approximately $25 million for 13,000 organizations worldwide through donations matched by the AbbVie Foundation.

Governance

AbbVie is built on a foundation of well-established corporate governance and financial controls, a culture of ethical behavior, and an approach designed to minimize business risk. This includes maintaining a diverse and independent board that regularly engages with investors and seeks feedback on company practices. Our commitment to ethical conduct underlies everything we do, demonstrated by AbbVie’s recognition as a public policy accountability “trendsetter” by the CPA-Zicklin Index. We have consistently ranked in the top tier of companies over the last decade.

Enterprise risk management is another vital focus. In 2024, we held 61 table-top exercises to increase preparedness and resiliency for various expected and unexpected crises, such as severe weather events, geopolitical conflicts, product issues, and more. Our regular assessment of facility hazards and supply risks aims to ensure supply chain security and sustainability. We hold our suppliers to the highest standards of quality, ethics, and environmental responsibility to prevent drug shortages and maximize operational sustainability. As of 2023, AbbVie has implemented drug shortage prevention planning and mitigation programs across our entire supply chain. 

Continuing momentum in ESG initiatives 

Since our founding, AbbVie has been driven by a steadfast commitment to innovation, patient care, and sustainable growth. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made over the past year and the past 12 years, impacting millions of patients and communities around the world.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue momentum and deepen our impact through our ESG Framework, focused on:

• Discovering and delivering innovative medicines for serious health challenges
• Empowering diverse, talented teams and partners to drive future success
• Advancing long-term patient health and business resilience with integrity

Our actions today set the foundation for what we can achieve in the future. We are committed to maximizing our potential to positively impact patients, our teams, and our communities.