Decarbonising life sciences in 2026: Key learnings ahead of the Bionow Pharma Manufacturing Conference
We’re thrilled to be exhibiting at this year’s Bionow Pharma Manufacturing Conference, taking place in Liverpool on 21st May. The conference delves into the latest advancements and challenges across the life sciences sector. It brings together professionals from across the industry for conversation, learning and networking.
You can find out more about it here.
In advance of the event, we spoke to James Edney (who will be attending). We asked him about the decarbonisation challenges affecting the life sciences sector. He explained how addressing these issues requires co-ordinated, delivery-focused action.
Read the Q&A below for highlights from our conversations with life sciences experts. You’ll also find out how to connect with us at the Bionow Pharma Manufacturing Conference, and how to register for the webinar we’re running shortly after.
What are you looking forward to about the Bionow Pharma Manufacturing Conference, and what insights will you bring with you?
The attendees of the Bionow Pharma Manufacturing Conference are people at the forefront of pharmaceutical manufacturing in the UK. We need them to drive energy and carbon reductions, but we know that isn’t always straightforward.
I’m excited to attend so I can share our insights and experiences. I want to help others maximise the efficiency and performance of their manufacturing, reduce energy costs, and make compelling business cases for projects they want to deliver.
The BIP.Verco stand will be in the Grace Suite of the Hilton Liverpool City Centre Hotel, and I’d welcome a chat if you’ll be at the event.
What have you learnt from life sciences professionals about decarbonisation in 2026?
Over the last six months, BIP.Verco spoke with sustainability professionals from across the life sciences industry. They represented pharmaceutical companies, drug manufacturers, medical device organisations and wider life‑science value‑chain participants across North America, Europe and the UK. They told us about the key decarbonisation challenges they expect to face this year, and how these challenges are evolving in the context of:
- global energy market uncertainty;
- tightening expectations around product footprints; and
- increasing pressure to reduce emissions.
What we heard will be familiar to many in the sector. However, it will be interesting to compare experiences and anecdotes, and to pass on the insights we’ve collected.
Three big challenges stood out from the conversations we had:
- Uncertainty around the availability of capex
- Pressures on data collection systems and requirements
- The need for more system-wide thinking
1. How can life sciences organisations improve the chances of funding in a volatile global energy market?
A challenge consistently identified was uncertainty around capex availability in 2026. It’s difficult to secure the capex necessary to deliver large projects that will have the biggest impact. Many organisations noted that projects with payback periods longer than two to three years were difficult to secure approval for. This is the case even when their long‑term value is well understood.
All of this is happening against the backdrop of unprecedented global energy market volatility. Geopolitical instability, supply disruption and price uncertainty are reshaping how energy risk is viewed at board level. For energy‑intensive life sciences operations, decarbonisation is becoming a matter of resilience and energy security, not only emissions reduction.
Being able to robustly model both carbon and financial outcomes has always been essential. However, the current uncertainty of the energy market means the ROI of decarbonisation initiatives is improving. There is a lot more sensitivity to energy costs at C-Suite level. So, now is the time to revisit any business cases from the past 24 months, recalculate the ROI and make your case.
You can access the article we recently wrote on this topic here.
2. Where is the strain on data systems coming from and how are organisations responding?
Across the sector, accurate and reliable data remains a key challenge. There are a mix of approaches to data collection. These range from spreadsheets to multiple, integrated legacy systems, to single global platforms.
The rising expectations placed on sustainability data platforms have become a source of pressure. Beyond collection and disclosure, organisations now need the ability to model pathways, test scenarios and link carbon performance to financial outcomes. Confidence in data is becoming fundamental to capital allocation, supplier engagement and executive decision‑making.
For a quick look at a platform that can provide these things, check out MyVerco.
Another source of pressure is evolving expectations around product carbon footprints. Large pharmaceutical companies are increasingly seeking reliable product carbon footprint (PCF) data. This is needed to support reporting, procurement decisions, and target delivery. At the same time, suppliers must respond to multiple data requests, often using different methodologies. This creates inefficiency and fatigue across the supply chain.
3. Why is there a need for a more holistic, system-wide approach?
For many businesses, the focus is on their own operations. Increasingly, they also work across the value chain to tackle their Scope 3 emissions. Companies with sustainability targets, and especially Science Based Targets (SBTs), need to close the gap between their current emissions and their targets by delivering a roadmap of projects.
This is easier said than done. The approach, both within a company and between organisations, creates lots of silos. Those silos need breaking down to unlock the full potential for decarbonisation. The industry also needs to consider the full patient care pathway, not just specific operations.
There are some great collaborative initiatives in the industry. These focus on driving Scope 3 emissions and supporting supplier engagement. What we need to see is this approach replicated across other facets of the life sciences system.
What do these challenges tell us?
Taken together, these themes point to a sector that understands what needs to be done, but faces real constraints in funding, data quality and delivery capacity. The challenge for 2026 is not ambition, but execution.
This is where BIP.Verco brings value to life sciences organisations. We combine strategic expertise with deep technical capability and practical delivery experience. Our work is informed not only by our own projects, but by an active network of sustainability leaders across the sector who are navigating these challenges in real time.
If the themes outlined here reflect what your organisation is experiencing, we encourage you to visit the BIP.Verco website and explore our resources for life sciences companies. They are grounded in real‑world delivery and designed to help turn decarbonisation commitments into measurable, investable action.
For example, if you’re looking for examples of decarbonisation projects you can deliver, download our technology guide for life sciences companies.
Join our upcoming webinar for more more expert insights
From ambition to delivery: life sciences sustainability in 2026 and beyond
Date: Thursday 11th June 2026
Time: 15:00 BST
When it comes to sustainability, there's a lot of pressure on life sciences organisations. They must close in on their net zero targets while continuing to innovate and improve the lives of patients. Decarbonisation expectations are rising—from NHS England’s requirements for suppliers, to increasing demand for detailed product carbon footprints—but energy market volatility and operational complexity are making delivery more challenging than ever.
In this webinar, three expert panellists will share their experiences of driving sustainability in the life sciences industry. They will:
- shine a light on best practice;
- encourage more holistic thinking across the full patient care pathway; and
- explore how organisations can navigate these challenges in a practical, impactful way.