{"id":24101,"date":"2017-11-15T16:50:16","date_gmt":"2017-11-15T21:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/will-johnson-johnson-be-a-truly-global-climate-change-champion\/"},"modified":"2017-11-15T16:52:15","modified_gmt":"2017-11-15T21:52:15","slug":"will-johnson-johnson-continue-to-be-a-climate-change-champion-as-it-becomes-more-global","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/will-johnson-johnson-continue-to-be-a-climate-change-champion-as-it-becomes-more-global\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Johnson & Johnson continue to be a climate change champion as it becomes more global?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Climate change as a health risk<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a report published in 2016, the World Health Organization declared that climate change is one of the greatest health risks of the 21st<\/sup> century.1<\/sup> Increased air pollution, rising temperatures and more extreme weather events will likely affect human and animal lives directly and undermine the quality of air, food, and water.1 <\/sup>As a result, healthcare companies have to adapt to the changing times to ensure sustainability of our planet. As the world\u2019s most broadly-based healthcare company2<\/sup>, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has so far taken a leadership role in driving the frontiers of climate change impact on healthcare. They understand the magnitude of the effect of climate change on health and that the health of our planet is inexplicably tied to the health and wellness of their customers. \u201cClimate change is a big challenge that requires big solutions. No one person, no one company, no one government can do it alone. Instead, we must continue to create a global movement of people, companies and organizations all working together to care for our climate like our health depends on it. Because it does.\u201d2<\/sup><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sustainable design solutions<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Earlier this year, J&J announced plans to redesign their cotton buds by removing plastic handles.3<\/sup> This was done in order to prevent toxic wastes reaching waterways and seas.3<\/sup> Such product redesign is not exclusive to cotton buds. In fact, back in 2009 J&J launched the Earthwards program, a platform for more sustainable product innovation.4<\/sup> To be deemed \u201cEarthwards\u201d, a product needs to show at least three sustainability improvements across seven \u201cimpact areas\u201d, including materials, waste reduction, packaging, energy and water use, innovation and social impact.4 <\/sup>The selection process of Earthwards products is very rigorous. Johnson & Johnson holds \u201cinnovation sessions\u201d where people from marketing, research & development and product design brainstorm how to boost a product\u2019s sustainability. After changes are made, a board of internal and third-party sustainability experts evaluate the product to ensure it meets the programs criteria for sustainability.4<\/sup> As of June 2017, about 100 products have been recognized as sustainable by the program.4<\/sup> J&J has even gone ahead to set ambitious goals for its Earthwards program, hoping that about 20% of its 2020 revenue will come from its Earthwards products.5 <\/sup>As of November 2017, some of the products recognized through the program include Listerine mouthwash, baby shampoo, acne cleanser, prostate cancer drug, etc.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reduction in carbon emission <\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

J&J recently joined 10 other multinationals, including ExxonMobil and BP, to back a revenue neutral carbon tax in the US as a way of tackling the threat of climate change.6 <\/sup>The group of companies advocates a plan for carbon dividends to be paid to the US public. The dividends would be paid for by a tax on emissions. J&J efforts to reduce climate change impact also includes a commitment to reduce absolute carbon emission 20% by 2020, and 80% by 2050. This mandate for a more conscious sustainability operation includes producing 35% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, with an aspiration to power all facilities with renewable energy by 2050.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will J&J remain a champion of climate change as it expands into Africa?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As annual sales growth starts to plateau8<\/sup>, J&J has been making a push into the developing markets, most notably Sub-Saharan Africa.9 <\/sup>During spring of 2016, J&J opened a new South African office and has since expanded into Kenya and Ghana.9<\/sup> While it\u2019s laudable that J&J is joining forces to tackle the HIV & AIDs epidemic in Africa by developing new medications, I hope they maintain their sustainable activities in a continent where there is little government pressure to be environmentally sustainable. Owing largely to institutional factors, the governance and regulation of transnational companies (TNCs) are at their weakest in the \u201cresource-rich, but economically poor\u201d African continent.10 <\/sup>TNCs such as British Petroleum (BP), Exxon-Mobil, and Shell Africa proceeded without much scrutiny in the past due to a number of factors, which include the incidence of colonialism, poverty, political corruption, and weak institutional infrastructures.10 <\/sup><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Only time will tell if J&J will continue to be a champion of climate change and sustainability in an environment where there is little regulatory oversight. A potential solution for J&J to maintain their commitment to global sustainability is to incentivize their employees and the manufacturing processes in the developing markets to pursue more sustainable practices. This could be accomplished by making sustainable practices a significant portion of employee bonus and budget allocation consideration for the developing markets. But can a company that has tepid growth be willing to sacrifice short term gains in the developing markets for long term objective of being a model for sustainability regardless of location and market forces? (Word count: 783)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

References:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. World Health Organization, \u201cWHO Global Programme on Climate Change & Health\u201d, accessed November 14, 2017, http:\/\/www.who.int\/globalchange\/mediacentre\/news\/global-programme\/en\/<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Johnson & Johnson, \u201c2016 Health for Humanity Report\u201d, accessed November 14, 2017, http:\/\/healthforhumanityreport.jnj.com\/climate-and-energy<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Victoria Allen. \u201cCotton buds get the green treatment\u201d. Scottish Daily Mail, February 14, 2017. https:\/\/global-factiva-com.prd1.ezproxy-prod.hbs.edu\/ha\/default.aspx#.\/!?&_suid=1510777233522037438232384234893<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Johnson & Johnson. \u201cEarthwards\u00ae: The Unique Johnson & Johnson Program That’s Helping to Create a More Sustainable World\u201d. Accessed November 14, 2017, https:\/\/www.jnj.com\/innovation\/earthwards-a-johnson-and-johnson-program-helping-create-a-more-sustainable-world<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Johnson & Johnson. \u201cProduct Stewardship\/Earthwards\u00ae | Johnson & Johnson\u201d. Accessed November 14, 2017. https:\/\/www.jnj.com\/global-environmental-health\/product-stewardship-earthwards<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. \u201cLeading corporations support US carbon tax campaign\u201d. Financial Times. Accessed November 14, 2017. https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/405161c6-557b-11e7-9fed-c19e2700005f<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Johnson & Johnson. \u201cHealth for\u00a0Humanity 2020 Goals Progress Scorecard<\/a>\u201d. Accessed November 14, 2017. http:\/\/healthforhumanityreport.jnj.com\/_document?id=0000015c-cdab-de5a-a15e-efbf0d950000<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Johnson & Johnson 2016 Annual Report<\/li>\n
  9. Sy Mukherjee \u201cWhy Johnson & Johnson Is Ramping Up Its Business In Africa\u201d. Fortune. April 6, 2016. http:\/\/www.fortune.com\/2016\/04\/06\/jnj-business-africa\/<\/a><\/li>\n
  10. Hakeem O. Yusuf et al. \u201cCombating environmental irresponsibility of transnational corporations in Africa: an empirical analysis<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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