Greener Science for a Healthier Planet: Sanofi & My Green Lab
How can cutting-edge research go hand in hand with environmental responsibility? At Sanofi, the answer is to embed environmental sustainability into every step of the scientific process. Through a global partnership with My Green Lab® (MGL), we are reshaping our research spaces to drive progress not just for human health, but also for the health of the planet.
Why Sustainable Labs Matter
Laboratories are the beating heart of scientific innovation—but they are also resource-hungry. They consume up to 10 times more energy per square meter than office spaces, generate specialized waste, and depend on complex supply chains. For a healthcare leader like Sanofi, that reality comes with responsibility. Reducing the environmental footprint of labs isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential to building a sustainable future for science and society.
The My Green Lab Standard
Enter MGL, the world’s leading sustainability certification for laboratories. Recognized by the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign and recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the program sets out a science-based framework to help labs assess and improve their performance with respect to environmental markers. Certification looks at everything from water and energy use to waste management and employee engagement—offering a clear, measurable path toward greener operations.
A Sanofi-Specific Approach
In 2023, Sanofi launched its global MGL certification across its R&D network.
But rather than adopt a rigid playbook, we developed an agile, scalable rollout—flexible enough to meet local needs, yet ambitious enough to unite our efforts under a single global vision
Dagmar Traxler
Head of R&D Sustainable Innovation & efficiency, Sanofi
This tailored approach allowed us to:
- Deploy the program rapidly across multiple sites and functions
- Empower local teams with ownership and targeted support
- Incorporate continuous learning through feedback loops
- Foster a grassroots-driven culture of sustainability
The results were swift. My Green Lab recognized Sanofi as “one of the fastest-growing certification programs of any large pharmaceutical company.”
“Sanofi is leading the way in lab sustainability,” said James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. “They are on track to achieve 95% certification across their labs—a milestone reached by only a handful of global players. Sanofi’s ambitious approach and clear commitment are setting a new standard for the entire industry.”
Impact So Far
The program has already delivered measurable results:
120
48
56%
120,000
As part of our long-term sustainability strategy, we are preparing the next phase of our journey: extending My Green Lab certification to 80% of our Manufacturing & Supply Quality Labs by 2030. This structured rollout will begin in 2026, marking another key step toward embedding environmental responsibility across every corner of Sanofi’s scientific and operational network.
Beyond the numbers lies a cultural shift. Sustainability is no longer an add-on—it is embedded in how Sanofi scientists think, work, and innovate.
Sanofi’s commitment to sustainability in its laboratories is inspiring. Employees are using this initiative as a platform to bring forward innovative ideas that make a real difference. Local teams are driving these initiatives with energy and dedication. My Green Lab has grown into a dynamic movement, showing that sustainability is embedded in our DNA.
Dr. Yvonne Kirchhein
Global Program Manager, My Green Lab, Sanofi
Looking Ahead
Our MGL journey is more than an initiative—it is part of a broader movement to ensure science serves both people and the planet. To encourage our third-party partners to pursue My Green Lab certification, further supporting our ambition to reduce Scope 3 emissions, we recently signed our commitment to the MGL Converge program. With expansion plans in motion and a clear trajectory toward near-universal certification, we’re not just participating in the sustainability conversation, but helping to lead it.
*Estimates based on available data
**CO2e calculations based on emission factors provided by My Green Lab, using standardized industry values that do not reflect site-specific energy mix