EHS Goals in Action

Abbott commissioned Environmental Resources Management, Inc. to provide third-party verification of Abbott's direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions for 2007 for the purposes of corporate reporting.

Targets for 2010 and 2011

We have 2010 targets for our key performance measures. We set more aggressive 2011 targets for water usage and CO₂ emissions in manufacturing, as we achieved them early. We use an annual review process and routine performance reporting to help us set appropriate targets. We aim to reduce:

Water intake by 40 percent by 2011;
CO₂ by 30 percent by 2011;
Hazardous waste by 20 percent by 2010;
Employee injuries by 33 percent by 2010; and
Commercial fleet-vehicle accidents by 30 percent by 2010.

(Targets are for normalized performance on a 2004 baseline, except for CO₂, which has a 2006 baseline.)

Our Performance

Eco-efficiency in Manufacturing

During 2008, we achieved reductions in each of our key performance measures except hazardous waste, which increased (see Performance Against 2010/2011 Goals).

CO₂ from energy: We achieved a 15 percent reduction (normalized to sales) bringing us very close to our 2011 target.
Water use: We achieved 15 percent reduction in water intake (normalized to sales) through aggressive conservation and recycling projects at key sites.
Hazardous waste: Our disposal of hazardous waste increased slightly during 2008. This was largely due to extraordinary production growth at our chemical plant in Campoverde, Italy, paired with final disposal of residual materials from other sites that were closed during the year. We will continue to work towards our 2010 target.