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Sustainability in diagnostics

A winding road cuts through a dense green forest, symbolizing sustainable pathways and environmental responsibility.

Solving for tomorrow

Together with our laboratory partners, we are on a journey toward a more sustainable future for the healthcare sector and for the one planet we call home. This commitment is a key part of the broader Roche sustainability strategy, which supports laboratories in overcoming mounting pressures they face to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising diagnostic quality or operational efficiency.

The healthcare sector accounts for between 4.4% and 5.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with diagnostic laboratories representing a proportionately large share of this impact.1

Laboratory facilities are among the most resource-intensive areas within healthcare, consuming more energy per square foot than standard medical office buildings and generating large volumes of specialized waste requiring careful management.2

At Roche Diagnostics, we believe in advancing health equity so that all patients can benefit from healthcare innovations, while evolving every facet of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic.

By partnering with us, laboratories can access sustainable, efficient, and innovative solutions that help achieve carbon reduction goals, improve operational performance, and deliver high-quality care. Our mission is to find the right balance between near- and long-term goals, meeting society’s needs today while building resilience for generations to come.

Our commitment to sustainable healthcare

As a leader in diagnostics, with a presence in over 180 countries, our scale brings responsibility and opportunity to make a true difference. Sustainability is a lens through which we see, impact, and shape the future of healthcare. We go beyond traditional “green” practices to address broader environmental, social, and economic needs in partnership with our suppliers.

At Roche Diagnostics, sustainability is embedded into every aspect of our business strategy. We recognize the profound connection between planetary health, human health, and economic stability. As the global healthcare landscape evolves, we are advancing sustainable diagnostics by focusing on three core pillars: social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Sustainability is not an isolated initiative, it’s integrated into how we design solutions, operate our laboratories, and collaborate across borders.

Laboratory professionals working collaboratively in a modern diagnostics lab highlighting social sustainability in healthcare

Social sustainability

We are committed to enhancing health equity by expanding access to critical diagnostics, improving representation in clinical trials, and addressing the unique needs of diverse populations.

Within and outside of our own organization, we strive to ensure that quality diagnostics are available everywhere they’re needed. We do this by empowering healthcare professionals through education and infrastructure support.

Economic sustainability

Our goal is to do as much as possible to conserve precious resources, whether it’s time, laboratory staff, sample limitations, or energy or water-related. We drive long-term healthcare value by integrating circular economy principles into our operations.

From optimizing laboratory workflows to multiplexing technology innovations, to more digitally connected and paperless work environments that also minimize the potential for human error, we support our partners in building resilient, future-ready healthcare systems.

Close-up of a quadrant-labeled component, symbolizing resource efficiency and sustainable innovation in healthcare.
Close-up of translucent leaves in vibrant colors represent environmental sustainability and natural interconnected systems

Environmental sustainability

Our sustainability goals to reduce the environmental impact of our business are bold and more ambitious than others.3 From energy-efficient facilities to sustainable product design, we act responsibly at every stage of the product lifecycle with rigorous tracking, measurement, and reporting.

From reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing waste to building equitable access and empowering healthcare professionals with data, we examine not just our own operations, but those of our customers. We’re solving for tomorrow through smarter energy use, cleaner wastewater, fewer patient visits, decentralized care, and stronger supplier partnerships. Roche’s sustainability report details these efforts and tracks our ongoing progress.4

Roche's sustainability goals

The healthcare industry is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change given its role in improving lives, advancing medical innovation, and shaping global health outcomes.

We’ve set ambitious, measurable sustainability goals that reflect our dedication to continuous progress. These milestones guide our actions and allow our partners to track our journey toward a more sustainable diagnostics ecosystem.4

  • 2025: 100% of our electricity comes from renewable sources
  • 2030: 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions
  • 2045: Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain
  • Ongoing: Sustainability in packaging, product lifecycles, water us and biodiversity

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References:

  1. Harvard Medicine. Confronting Health Care’s Carbon Footprint. [Internet; cited 2025 April 21]. Available from: https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/confronting-health-cares-carbon-footprint
  2. Health Care Without Harm. The road map for health care decarbonization. [Internet; cited 2025 April 21]. Available from: https://healthcareclimateaction.org/roadmap
  3. Science based targets. Target dashboard. [Internet; cited 2025 June 13]. Available from: http://sciencebasedtargets.org/target-dashboard
  4. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Annual report 2024. https://assets.roche.com/f/176343/x/09457b2a19/ar24e.pdf