FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Earth Day, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, reinforces its commitment to Advancing the world of health™ by affirming the first phase of its 2030⁺ sustainability goals – climate change targets.

"At BD, environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues are a strategic imperative and essential to the long-term resilience of our business," said Tom Polen, CEO and president, BD. "We know that climate change is a critical issue and we are doing our part in helping to address it. As a leading medical technology company, we are focused on the interconnections between climate and health, which is why we believe in setting science-based targets to help prevent the worst effects of climate change. BD's pledge to be carbon neutral by 2040 across direct operations is consistent with our long-standing global health leadership.

BD recognizes the significant impact climate change could have on our operations, our supply chain and, most urgently, on human health. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that global warming must not exceed 1.5°C to avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change. Therefore, setting ambitious emission reduction targets based on science is an important part of our overall strategy to manage and mitigate the impacts of climate change." 

BD's climate change targets are aimed at reducing its contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from direct operations. BD is committing to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 46% by 2030 (from its 2019 baseline) and to be carbon neutral across its direct operations by 2040. This science-based target is aligned with the 1.5°C global emissions reduction pathway. In addition, BD continues to work with supply chain partners to quantify and reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions.

These new climate targets build upon BD's long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. To date, the company has achieved a 48% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions (on an absolute basis) from its baseline year of 2008, as part of its previous set of sustainability goals. Earlier this year, BD became one of more than 1,000 organizations that support the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

For more information about BD's sustainability programs and to review the 2019 Sustainability report and 2019 Climate Change Management report, visit https://www.bd.com/en-us/company/sustainability-at-bd.

About BD
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its 70,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/ and Twitter @BDandCo.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.  Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the company's control, including without limitation, challenges relating to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, and products, and other factors listed in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. BD expressly disclaims any undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements set forth herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)