Environmental, Social, and Governance across The Medicine Accelerator (APC & VLE Therapeutics)
Sustainability is embedded in how we operate and improve.
Our ESG practices reduce operational risk, strengthen audit readiness, and ensure our science is backed by responsible, sustainable practices. Our goal is to minimise environmental impact while driving innovative, measurable practices across our business. This page summarizes our ESG framework, BeGreen@Cherrywood programme, progress metrics, and third-party recognition.
What is ESG?
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It is our framework used to assess an organization’s impact and sustainability across three core areas.
Environment
Focuses on how we perform as a steward of nature.
Environmental metrics (e.g., carbon footprint, water usage)
Sustainability goals (e.g., emissions reduction targets)
Green initiatives and programmes (e.g., renewable energy)
Social
Addresses how we manage relationships with people & society.
Internal and external communications
Actions supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion
Employee welfare, labour practices, and community engagement
Governance
Covers leadership, oversight, & ethical practices.
Corporate policies and compliance
Strategic planning and risk management
Transparent reporting and accountability
Environment
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The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) helps companies set emissions targets aligned with the Paris Agreement. These aim to limit warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.
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Sustainable Development Goals
At the Medicine Accelerator, we promote a cleaner, sustainable, and employee-friendly environment.
Aligned with UN SDGs, we focus on Good Health (SDG 3), Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Climate Action (SDG 13). -
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, H₂O, N₂O) trap heat, keeping Earth warm but causing global warming as levels rise. The Medicine Accelerator monitors its emissions and seeks more sustainable ways to operate.
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Company Targets
As we strive to become the greenest and most sustainable Irish pharmaceutical company, we’ve set targets to reduce emissions and operate sustainably across all business functions.
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Social: BeGreen@Cherrywood - Building a Sustainable Future through Practical, Measurable Action
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Waste & Recycling
This pillar focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling across the business. We’re building better habits through smarter systems, clearer guidance, and improved traceability.
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Utilities Mgmt & Optimisation
Driving smarter energy use is at the heart of this pillar. We’re improving performance through live monitoring, analytics, and targeted facility upgrades.
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Green Labs
Our labs are evolving into greener spaces through proven initiatives that reduce water usage, cut waste, and improve energy performance.
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Audit Readiness & Governance
This pillar keeps us ahead of regulations and reporting requirements so we remain audit-ready. We align our ESG efforts with relevant frameworks and centralize resources to make evidence easy to access and report.
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CSR and Awareness and Engagement
We believe sustainable change starts with people. This pillar builds a culture of environmental responsibility through practical training, clear communication, and campaigns that make it easy for teams to take informed action every day. We also champion change through our collaboration with Dublin City University (DCU) and our STEM Programme.
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Governance
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VSME
Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard is a framework developed by European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) to help small and medium-sized enterprises communicate their sustainability performance in a structured and credible way. It is created to address the growing demand for sustainability information and help us develop our path towards Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
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Climate Strategy
APC Ltd. & VLE Therapeutics has developed a 5-year climate strategy roadmap in 2024. This strategy establishes a plan from 2024 until 2028+ which discusses establishing company ambitions, formalising targets, engaging with clients, reviewing targets and prioritising collaboration to ensure the set targets are achieved.
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Double Materiality Matrix
ESG Double materiality is designed to capture both financial (impact on business) and impact materiality (impact on environment and society/non-financial factors), and part of the goal is to understand the company’s societal and environmental impact beyond financial performance.
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Sustainability Policy
Our Sustainability Policy outlines the principles and practices we follow to reduce our environmental impact and support a more sustainable future. It formalises our commitment to environmental sustainability and recognises that a healthy environment is central to our organisation and our employees’ work and wellbeing.
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Our Commitments & Targets
Energy efficiency
By 2030, we are committed to reducing our energy emissions by 42% through retrofitting facilities with energy-efficient LED lighting and optimizing air-handling units.
Water conservation
By 2025, we aim to reduce water consumption by 30% by installing water-efficient technologies and improving processes to reuse and recycle water wherever possible.
Waste reduction
By 2030, APC and VLE Therapeutics will have zero municipal waste sent to landfills. Our goal is to recycle 80% of municipal waste by 2025 and eliminate single-use plastics from our office space. We have already made strides, including moving toward paperless operations.
Sustainable travel
To reduce our carbon footprint, we have committed to cutting travel-related emissions by 30% by 2030 through increased video conferencing, and encouraging public transport and cycling.
Green solvent use
We prioritise the use of greener solvents and are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations. Through collaboration with suppliers and research partners, we support the adoption of more sustainable materials across our R&D processes.
Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body that enables companies to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science and the Paris Agreement. APC and VLE Therapeutics’ greenhouse gas reduction target, approved by the SBTi under the SME route, commits to a 42% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 from a 2022 base year, and to measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions.
ESG documentation and evidence packs
For audits and due diligence, supporting materials are available on request. Typical items include:
Scope 1, 2, and Scope 3 calculation summaries and supporting notes
ESG Double Materiality Matrix outputs
Utilities dashboards and reporting extracts (energy, water, gas)
Audit preparation documentation (including SEAI-related materials)
EcoVadis and CDP assessment outcomes and supporting context
VSME template and associated materials
ESG SharePoint resource access (where appropriate)