23/01/2006 - Copenhagen, Denmark – Signing a climate saving agreement with WWF-Denmark, pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has pledged significant reductions in its global emissions. So far, ten corporations have become part of WWF's Climate Savers programme, with the Danish-based world leader in diabetes care becoming the second Climate Savers company in Europe.

Novo Nordisk has committed itself to reduce its CO2 emissions from the use of fossil fuels and from the purchase of electricity, heat and steam by 10 per cent compared to its CO2 emissions in 2004. Without this agreement, Novo Nordisk’s CO2 emission would increase by 67 per cent in the same period. The agreement includes Novo Nordisk’s global CO2 emissions. The CO2 reductions will primarily be achieved by energy efficiency measures in Novo Nordisk’s manufaturing and by renewable energy projects at several of the company's sites in Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Japan and the US.

“While national governments must move faster to lay the ground for action, some companies have the vision to act right away to help prevent serious climate change," says Kim Carstensen, CEO of WWF- Denmark. "We are very pleased that Novo Nordisk takes responsibility on climate change. We would like to urge other businesses to do the same.”

WWF set up the Climate Savers programme to promote ambitious greenhouse gas reductions in business and industries. Besides Novo Nordisk, WWF has Climate Savers agreements with Lafarge (France), Sagawa (Japan), Catalyst (Canada), Johnson & Johnson, IBM, Nike, Polaroid, The Collins Companies and Xanterra (all in the US).

“We have entered into this agreement with WWF because we want to adress the serious challenges facing the world caused by climate change," says Novo Nordisk Executive Vice President Lise Kingo.

"We also believe that reducing emissions will make our business more sustainable in the long-term. We are ready for the challenges that lie ahead, using less energy and switching to renewable energy sources like wind and biomass. We believe that a long term effort to reduce CO2 will strengthen our business in a world where the use of fossil fuels is limited.

At least 50 per cent of the total amount of CO2 reductions will be realised in Annex I countries listed in the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (i.e. OECD countries). Novo Nordisk’s performance on the agreement will be audited annually by an independent verifier.