Interview to Maria Paola Chiesi
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY TOWARDS A BETTER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD
With the publication of Chiesi’s Sustainability Report, Maria Paola Chiesi, Chiesi's Vice Chair and Head of Shared Value & Sustainability, sheds light on the company's sustainability journey and the impact of its initiatives in a short interview.
Our Purpose, Mission and Sustainability Manifesto
Purpose
We want to be considered as a reference point for people living with chronic respiratory disorders, rare diseases, preterm babies and other difficult-to-treat health conditions. This is the foundation of our sustainable business approach, which seeks to generate a wider positive impact for society, the environment and other stakeholders.
MISSION & VALUES
Our Aim
is to be recognized as a research-focused international Group, able to develop and commercialize innovative pharmaceutical solutions to improve the quality of human life.
We wish
to maintain a high quality entrepreneurial team characterized by self-confidence and a collaborative spirit.
Our goal
is to combine commitment to results with integrity, operating in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
"At Chiesi, everyone of us is different everyone of us is Chiesi."
Sustainability Manifesto
We live in a time of great changes. The planet is exploited beyond its limits and its equilibriums are in continuous transformation. We are changing ourselves in the way we live and think about our society. The most fragile and vulnerable are paying the price: those who are often left behind in this rush forward.
Chiesi: A Trailblazer in the B Corp Movement
In 2018, Chiesi embarked on an extraordinary and enduring transformation by adopting the legal form of a Benefit Corporation in Italy and the US. This bold move signifies that, in addition to economic value, the creation of added value for society, employees, the community and the environment is at the core of Chiesi’s operations. The company aims to create “Shared Valued” - value for the company along with value for people and value for the environment. By doing so, Chiesi is committed to making a positive impact that will resonate with all stakeholders involved.
Sustainability Governance
Chiesi is deeply committed to measuring its impact, both within and beyond the organization. As part of its journey as a Benefit Corporation and certified B Corp, the company’s sustainability functions have evolved into a well-structured global organization.
Read more about Sustainability GovernanceSustainability Governance
Chiesi is deeply committed to measuring its impact, both within and beyond the organization. As part of its journey as a Benefit Corporation and certified B Corp, the company’s sustainability functions have evolved into a well-structured global organization.
Read more about Sustainability GovernanceImpact Measurement
In the reporting of sustainability data, Chiesi Group takes a multidimensional approach considering both regulatory frameworks and voluntary reporting frameworks in order to create an overall overview that is as complete and transparent as possible.
Governance
The company adopts a traditional model with a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by shareholders and supervised by a Board of Statutory Auditors. With six members of the Chiesi family currently serving on the Board of Directors, the interests of the owner family are represented and conflicts of interest are prevented. The allocation of specific executive proxies among the various directors and the separation of roles between the Chairman, the company’s main shareholder, and the Chief Executive Officer are both important aspects of the Board’s function. The shareholders and board composition, as well as conflicts of interests, are fully disclosed on the company website. Additionally, financial results are shared with all the employees on a quarterly basis.
Patients
Chiesi is committed to developing and manufacturing innovative, high-quality, reliable, and safe therapeutic solutions that improve the well-being of patients and provide true benefits to the healthcare system. Our approach also considers non-pharmacological interventions broadly applied to include digital interventions.
Community
“Contributing to the development of the local communities in which the company operates”
Is one of the common benefit purposes that Chiesi has decided to include in its bylaws as Benefit Corporation. At Chiesi, we invest resources and skills in the development of the communities in which we live to contribute to long-term and sustainable well-being through our shared value projects, contributions and partnerships with local organizations. Adopting a shared value approach in community development and engagement strategy helps to address systemic issues and to create more equitable outcomes for all members of the community.
Environment
Chiesi is committed to reducing its GHG emissions in line with the Paris Agreement’s most ambitious goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100. To this end, we aim to achieve Net Zero emissions on direct GHG emissions and indirect GHG emissions from purchased electricity and heat (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030 and on all other indirect GHG emissions (Scope 3) by 2035. Chiesi’s GHG emission reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) in April 2021.
Value Chain
Chiesi is committed to identifying, preventing and mitigating human rights risks across its own processes, operations and along the value chain. Whenever adverse human rights impacts are identified, Chiesi is committed to providing for or supporting legitimate processes to remediate any harm it may have caused, contributed to cause, or been linked with. We maintain a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of human rights abuse.
Our approach is expressed in the Group Human Rights Policy available on Chiesi website, where we set out our commitments in terms of prohibition of child labour, forced or compulsory labour, harassment, abuse and discrimination, while emphasizing freedom of association, health and safety, psychological safety, and work-life balance. The Human Rights Policy is approved by the Group Chief Executive Officer and by the Group Chief Human Resources Officer. We also foster the development of in-house learning activities to build awareness and knowledge on human rights among all Chiesi people.
People
We strive to foster an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable in expressing themselves. We are committed to creating a positive and healthy workplace and an inclusive environment - where mutual respect and a collaborative spirit are key elements - that makes every employee feel good and give the best of themselves. Physical and psychological well-being are at the basis of a positive environment, together with good working and personal relationships, respect of others and inclusion. We are committed to offer personalized solutions that can fulfill individual needs along their significant stages of life.
