Mainz, Germany, February 12, 2024 -- BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, “BioNTech” or “the Company”) announces that the Company’s near-term science-based emissions reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”). This validation underlines that BioNTech’s scope 1 and scope 2 climate targets are ambitious and in line with the United Nation’s Paris Climate Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
“Our efforts to mitigate and manage the effects of climate change are embedded in our vision to help improve the health of people worldwide,” said Sierk Poetting, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer at BioNTech. “Therefore, we seek to minimize the environmental impact of our business activities in our own operations and our entire value chain to positively impact patients, employees, communities, and ultimately, the planet.”
The SBTi has validated BioNTech’s near-term emission reduction targets in the following form:
- BioNTech commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions 42% by 2030 from a 2021 base year.
- BioNTech commits that 72% of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services, capital goods and upstream transportation and distribution, will have science-based targets by 2027.
BioNTech aims to play an active role in climate change mitigation by reducing the emissions under its direct control (scope 1 and scope 2) and reducing indirect emissions in its supply chain (scope 3). To help enable the achievement of the Company's direct greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, a dedicated decarbonization department was established in 2022. In 2023, BioNTech implemented measures including planning and setting yearly reduction targets for the Company and its operational sites, monitoring its progress, and implementing decarbonization measures across the globe to support a pathway towards the Company’s 2030 target. In parallel, BioNTech continued its efforts to reduce scope 3 emissions in its supply chain. To this end, in 2023 the Company initiated dialogues with key suppliers aimed at Memoranda of Understanding that will outline these suppliers’ intent to set science-based emission reduction targets. More information on BioNTech’s Corporate Social Responsibility management can be found on the Company’s website.
About the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi)
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050. The initiative is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets. https://sciencebasedtargets.org
About BioNTech
BioNTech is a next generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel therapies for cancer and other serious diseases. BioNTech exploits a wide array of computational discovery and therapeutic drug platforms for the rapid development of novel biopharmaceuticals. Its broad portfolio of oncology product candidates includes individualized and off-the-shelf mRNA-based therapies, innovative chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, several protein-based therapeutics, including bispecific immune checkpoint modulators, targeted cancer antibodies and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics, as well as small molecules. Based on its deep expertise in mRNA vaccine development and in-house manufacturing capabilities, BioNTech and its collaborators are developing multiple mRNA vaccine candidates for a range of infectious diseases alongside its diverse oncology pipeline. BioNTech has established a broad set of relationships with multiple global pharmaceutical collaborators, including Duality Biologics, Fosun Pharma, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Genevant, Genmab, OncoC4, Regeneron and Pfizer.
For more information, please visit www.BioNTech.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements concerning the Company’s absolute scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; the Company’s commitments with respect to emissions covered by suppliers of purchased goods and services, capital goods and upstream transportation; the Company’s decarbonization activities, including potential agreements with key suppliers; and others. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. The forward-looking statements in this press release are neither promises nor guarantees, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond BioNTech’s control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the uncertainties inherent in research and development; discussions with regulatory agencies and other third parties; the ability and willingness of BioNTech's key suppliers to commit to science-based emission reduction targets; BioNTech’s ability to manage its development and expansion; regulatory developments in the United States and other countries, including those related to decarbonization; and other factors not known to BioNTech at this time.
You should review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in BioNTech's Report on Form 6-K for the period ended September 30, 2023, and in subsequent filings made by BioNTech with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as required by law, BioNTech disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are based on BioNTech’s current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof.
CONTACTS
Investor Relations
Victoria Meissner, M.D.
+1 617 528 8293
Investors@biontech.de
Media Relations
Jasmina Alatovic
+49 (0)6131 9084 1513
Media@biontech.de
