Sustainability

Sustainable development is about preserving the planet while improving the quality of life for its current and future inhabitants.

The Triple Bottom Line

At Novo Nordisk, sustainable development has been an integral part of the way we do business for more than a decade. Our way of translating it into practice is the Triple Bottom Line.

In all our work, we strive to be economically viable, socially responsible, and environmentally sound.

Balancing the Triple Bottom Line is about considering each of these elements when making business decisions. In this way, we not only manage a sound business, but we also demonstrate our commitment to driving sustainable development – both locally and globally.

Economic viability

The economic component of the Triple Bottom Line is often assumed to mean the company’s financial performance. But it is more than that.

Finance concerns the market valuation of transactions that pass through the company's books. Economics, on the other hand, is the means by which society uses human and natural resources in the pursuit of human welfare.

Our approach

At Novo Nordisk, remaining economically viable means managing the business in a way that secures corporate profitability and growth, and seeks to leave a positive economic footprint in the community. This includes rewarding employees, making profit for shareholders, and investing in growing the business.

Social responsibility

Social responsibility is about caring for people. This applies to the people who rely on the company’s products and to employees. It also considers the impact of the business on the global society and the local community.

Our approach

At Novo Nordisk, social responsibility is more than a virtue – it is a business imperative. It is an investment in our future.

Environmental responsibility

Environmental responsibility addresses the company’s impact on the external environment as well as the bioethical implications of our activities, such as animal experimentation and safety issues regarding the use of genetic engineering.

Our approach

At Novo Nordisk, the pursuit of sustainable development considers the perspectives of communities, governments, industry and society within the framework of an international agenda. We believe that this broad vision is essential for tackling global environmental issues, such as climate change. That is why our approach to assessing and acting upon our environmental performance focuses not only on the impact of our production, but also on the role we play as a representative of our industry.

For more information on sustainability visit: http://www.novonordisk.com/sustainability