Corporate Responsibility Report 2008

Emissions to air

Ozone depletion

Ozone depletion potential (CFC-11 equivalents)

Targets and performance normalised by sales are based on a constant exchange rate
Any errors found in data from prior years are corrected so data may vary slightly from earlier reports
CFC-11 has an ozone depletion potential of 1
In 2008 we reviewed the refrigeration equipment inventories for 2006, 2007 and 2008. Where inventories were incomplete they were estimated based on inventories in other years. We also updated the factors for ozone depletion potential and climate change emissions using WMO (World Meteorological Organisation), Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2006, Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project—Report No. 50, 572 pp., Geneva, Switzerland, 2007. (chapter 8).

In 2008, estimated ozone depletion potential (ODP) from equipment and production losses per million Ł sales corrected to a constant exchange rate (CER) decreased 82.3 per cent from a 2006 baseline. Absolute ODP from equipment and production losses decreased 82.4 per cent to 5.8 thousand kilograms. This indicates significant progress towards our target to eliminate losses of CFCs and HCFCs from production and equipment.

Explanation for trend
In 2008, 5.4 thousand kilograms of ozone depleting substance were released during production of inhalers and we estimate that less than one thousand kilograms of CFC-11 equivalent were emitted from equipment.

In 2008, 87.7 thousand kilograms of CFC propellant were released when patients used our products. Ozone depletion potential from patient use of metered dose inhalers was 51.9 per cent lower than in 2006. As production of CFC-containing MDIs decreases, the amount of CFC lost during production also declines

We maintain a register of the significant pieces of equipment that contain refrigerants and use this register to track progress towards the target to eliminate CFCs and HCFCs from refrigeration equipment. We have 162 pieces of equipment containing CFCs, amounting to 10,238 kilograms in total. Over 6,774 items of equipment contain other ODSs, with an ODP of 16,468 kilograms of CFC-11 equivalent. We estimate (using an estimation factor of 2.75 per cent from the British Refrigeration Association) that 468 kilograms CFC-11 equivalent were released from equipment in 2008. We are making progress towards our target and expect that we will achieve it.

SGS verified

Volatile organic compounds

Volatile organic compound emissions

Volatile organic compound emissions

Targets and performance normalised by sales are based on a constant exchange rate
Any errors found in data from prior years are corrected so data may vary slightly from earlier reports

In 2008 the amount of volatile organic compound released to air per million Ł sales corrected to a constant exchange rate (CER) decreased 9.7 per cent from a 2006 baseline. Absolute volatile organic compound emissions decreased 10.4 per cent from a 2006 baseline to 3.9 million kilograms. This is better than our two per cent per year target.

Explanation for trend
Emissions of VOC to air are affected by the management of solvents and by the mix of products that are made in the year. In 2008 we decreased production of several products that used significant quantities of solvent and we outsourced several steps of one product.

It is important to reduce emissions of VOC because it benefits the environment, society and GSK. We want to reduce these emissions even in high production years so we continue to identify projects to reduce emissions. In 2008 one site installed a carbon absorption unit to reduce emission of solvents and two more sites have emission reduction projects planned for 2009. We anticipate achieving our target.

Our plans

Our material efficiency projects are expected to reduce the amount of solvent used and we should see the effects of this work in reduced solvent emissions in the future. In the meantime we continue to look for ways to reduce solvent use and increase recycling to achieve our target of a two per cent annual reduction in emissions resulting in eight per cent improvement by the end of 2010. Two of our sites that manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients have projects planned for 2009 to control emissions.

SGS verified